The relationship between maternal position and results of non-stress test among high risk pregnancy women

¯Abstract Background: Perinatal assessment tests such as non-stress test is required to decrease fetus and infant morbidity and mortality rate. It is a type of screening test for fetal surveillance. There are several factors including the maternal position which affect the results of non-stress test. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between maternal position and the results of non-stress test in high risk pregnant women. Methods: This was a clinical trial, carried out on 150 patients, hospitalized in Alzahra medical center, Tabriz, Iran, in 2003. The cases were singleton pregnant women with gestation period between 32 to 42 weeks. The first patient was randomly assigned to a sitting first (semi-Fowler position) or supine first (left lateral position) and then the position was alternated. Fetal heart rate monitoring was performed for ten minutes. A non-probability purposive method was used for sampling. Data were collected using check lists and sample select forms. The data were further analyzed using both descriptive (means, standard deviation) and analytical statistics (chi-squared test, McNemar test). Findings: The average maternal gestational age was 36.67 weeks and the majority of mothers were nuliparous (51.3%). There were no significant correlations between both demographic characteristic and maternal positions (Semi-Fowler and Left lateral positions) with results of non-stress test. Conclusion: According to the results of present study, either of position could be used while performing a non-stress test.