The effects of maternal position on the amniotic fluid index.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the influence of maternal positioning on the measurement of the amniotic fluid index (AFI) in third-trimester pregnancies. We wanted to determine whether a change in the position of the women, from supine-flat to supine-elevated, would influence the measurement of the AFI.


METHODS
Each patient had AFI measurements obtained in both positions by the same investigator.


RESULTS
We determined the values of the amniotic fluid index to be consistent in both positions for pregnancies with normal AFI measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurements of the amniotic fluid did not appear to be influenced by maternal position in the third trimester when the AFI was in the normal range.
Maternal Fetal Medicine of Central Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA 17101, USA. ttressler@pinnaclehealth.org
Terry
T
Tressler
Monica
M
Bernazzoli
James
J
Hole
Francis
F
Martinez
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016683:Supine Position; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*