Effects of maternal left lateral position and rest on amniotic fluid index: a prospective clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of both maternal rest and activity on the amniotic fluid index (AFI).


METHODS
Power analysis indicated that in order to achieve 20 mm of increase in AFI with 90% of power at one side alpha of 0.01, we needed at least 51 women in each group. The study group was comprised of pregnant women (n = 152) with a normal AFI and a singleton pregnancy at 26-40 weeks' gestation. Their AFI was determined by averaging the 2 repetitive measurements of the 4 amniotic fluid quadrants. The "rest" group (n = 77) was instructed to lie and rest in the left lateral position, and the "mild activity" group (n = 75) was instructed to sit and walk.


RESULTS
AFI increased significantly, from 151.25 +/- 37.40 mm to 173.79 +/- 39.76 mm, in the "rest" group (p = 0.00). However, the change from 153.69 +/- 37.94 to 152.34 +/- 36.62 mm was not significant in the "mild activity" group (p = 0.167).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal rest in the left lateral position increases the AFI.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kafkas University School of Medicine, Kars, Turkey. kahramanulker@hotmail.com
Kahraman
K
Ulker
Ismail
I
Temur
Mehmet
M
Karaca
Mustafa
M
Ersöz
Islim
I
Volkan
Abdülaziz
A
Gül
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012146:Rest