UMBILICAL BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITY WAVE-FORMS IN DIFFERENT MATERNAL POSITIONS AND WITH EPIDURAL ANALGESIA

  • 1 July 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 68  (1) , 61-64
Abstract
Umbilical blood flow velocity waves were measured in the fetuses of healthy parturients in early active labor to assess the influence of different maternal positions (N=16) and of epidural analgesia (N=16). The ratio of systolic peak to diastolic trough (S/D) of the umbilical blood flow velocity wave is reflective of vascular resistance distal to the point of measurement on the fetal side of the placenta. Umbilical blood flow velocity wave S/D ratios were significantly higher in the supine than in either lateral position indicating that umbilical artery vascular resistance is increased when the mother lies supine. After epidural blockade, the S/D ratios were unchanged in three and lowered to varying degrees in 13 parturients indicating that this method of pain relief benefically affects umbilical artery vascular resistance.