Maternal and Fetal Haemodynamics during Late Pregnancy: Effect of Compression Hosiery Treatment

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Abstract
Objective: To study the effect of graduated compression on maternal and fetal haemodynamics. Design: Measurement of maternal and fetal heart rate and uterine artery flow velocity ( Vmax) in supine and standing positions with and without graduated compression hosiery (25 mmHg at the ankle). Setting: Department of Surgery, Lund University, S-22185 Lund, Sweden. Patients: Eighteen women in gestational week 32–38. Results: An increase in heart rate on standing was recorded for both mother and fetus. Graduated compression stockings decreased these changes. Cyclic heart rate changes were not frequent. Uterine artery flow velocity did not change during change of posture or after compression. Conclusion: The utero-vascular syndrome was not common in the patients studied. Graduated compression reduced the vascular response to standing, measured as an increase of heart frequency at standing.