Low backache during pregnancy - Acute hemodynamic effects of a lumbar support

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a commercially available elastic/Velcro lum bar and abdominal support (Mother-To-Be, CMO, Inc., Barberton, Ohio) affect s the hemodynamics of the fetus and pregnant woman. STUDY DESIGN: Healthy volunteers with low backache at 24-36 weeks' gestatio n were sought from our obstetric clinic population. The fetal heart rate (F HR), maternal blood pressure and maternal cardiac output were monitored for 20-minute intervals before, during and after placement of the support whil e standing and sitting. A sufficient number of subjects was used to detect a difference of 10% in cardiac output. RESULTS: Twenty-five women were enrolled between? 24 and 36 weeks' gestatio n. No significant changes were encountered in the FHR baseline or beat-to-b eat variability during placement of the support. The few FHR decelerations were isolated and not attributable to the support. The maternal systolic, d iastolic and mean arterial blood pressures were unaffected by the support. The right-sided and left-sided cardiac outputs were unchanged during the mo nitoring periods. Each woman, when questioned two weeks later, reported imp rovement in back discomfort while sitting and standing. CONCLUSION: This elastic/Velcro lumbar and abdominal support, available to relieve low backache, did not acutely affect the hemodynamics of the fetus and mother.