. Rukmani Patel; . M. V. Smitha; . Saubhagya K. Jena; . Jaison Jacob; . Joseph John
Volume 12, Issue 10 , November 2022, , Pages 1-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A non‑stress test (NST) is an essential diagnostic test performed during pregnancyto assess fetal well‑being. It is a recording of fetal movements besides fetal heart ...
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BACKGROUND: A non‑stress test (NST) is an essential diagnostic test performed during pregnancyto assess fetal well‑being. It is a recording of fetal movements besides fetal heart rate, indicating fetalbiophysiological well‑being. As maternal physiology is altered in various positions, apt positioningduring the NST is essential for accurate results while ensuring maternal comfort. This study aims toevaluate the effect of different maternal positions, left lateral and semi‑fowler’s, on NST reactivity,maternal blood pressure, heart rate, and comfort in pregnant women while performing the NST.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This crossover study evaluated 50 healthy pregnant women between32 and 40 weeks of gestation with no obstetric complications for the effect of maternal positionson maternofetal physiological parameters and comfort. The NST was performed for 20 min in eachposition with a washout period of 10 min. The maternofetal physiological parameters were recordedby a calibrated sphygmomanometer and the electrocardiograph interpretations. The maternal comfortwas assessed using a maternal comfort rating scale (MCRS) for each position after the NST. Relevantdescriptive and inferential statistics are applied to compute the results.RESULTS: Statistically, there was a significant difference in the mean maternal blood pressure andheart rate between the left lateral and semi‑fowler’s positions at 0 and 20 min (P = 0.001), whereaswithin the groups, in the same position at 0 and 20 min, no significant difference was found. Therewas no significant difference in NST reactivity (P = 0.79) in different positions. There was no significantdifference between the MCR scores of women in either of the positions (Z = −1.64, df = 49, P = 0.100).CONCLUSION: Semi‑fowler’s position demonstrated favorable maternal blood pressure and heartrate during the NST in the third trimester of pregnancy, though it was clinically not significant. Therewas no significant difference in the comfort of women in both positions. Hence, either of the positionscan be implemented in practice as an alternative position while performing the NST, based on thewomen’s preference.