MATERNAL POSITION DURING LABOR - EFFECTS ON FETAL OXYGEN-SATURATION MEASURED BY PULSE OXIMETRY

Objective: To determine the effects of maternal left lateral, right la teral, and supine positions during labor on fetal oxygen saturation me asured by pulse oximetry. Methods: Fetal oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry was obtained in 15 laboring women randomly and success ively adopting left lateral, supine, and right lateral positions for 1 0 minutes each. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for st atistical analysis. Results: Changes in fetal oxygen saturation were o bserved in different maternal positions. The supine position was assoc iated with a lower fetal oxygen saturation than the left lateral posit ion. One supine hypotensive syndrome occurred and was associated with a drop in fetal oxygen saturation. Conclusion: Maternal supine positio n during labor is associated with a lower fetal oxygen saturation than the left lateral position.