title: Comparison of the Effect of Maternal Rest in Alternative Lateral Decubitus Positions on the Amniotic Fluid Index: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the effect of maternal rest in the left and right lateral decubitus positions and resting alone on the amniotic fluid index (AFI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine women with singleton pregnancies and an AFI of 6 to 24 cm at 36 to 40 weeks' gestation were included in this randomized controlled trial. The women were randomized into 2 intervention groups. After initial AFI measurements, group 1 (n = 35) rested in the left lateral position for 15 minutes and then rested in the right lateral position for another 15 minutes. Group 2 (n = 34) rested in the right lateral position for 15 minutes and then rested in the left lateral position for another 15 minutes. To compare differences between groups, AFIs were measured at the end of each 15-minute period while the participants were kept on their backs in a semirecumbent position.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The demographic data, gestational ages, and initial AFI values did not differ between groups (P > .05). In group 1, the initial mean AFI ± SD of 12.25 ± 3.81 increased significantly during the first 15 minutes to 15.17 ± 4.27 and decreased significantly during the second 15 minutes to 13.30 ± 4.29 (P< .001); however, the 30-minute AFI was still significantly higher than the initial value (P = .008). In group 2, the initial AFI change during the first 15 minutes, from 12.83 ± 3.99 to 12.72 ± 3.87, was not significant (P> .05); however, it increased significantly to 15.63 ± 4.14 during the second 15 minutes (P< .001). The 30-minute AFI was still significantly higher than the initial value (P< .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal rest in the right lateral decubitus position does not seem to either increase or decrease the AFI, and resting alone does not increase the AFI in the short term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey kahramanulker@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Kahraman
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ülker
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kafkas University School of Medicine, Kars, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çiçek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012146:Rest; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: amniotic fluid index; intervention studies; maternal care patterns; mother-fetus relationships; obstetric ultrasound; transplacental exposure