Effects of maternal positions in electronic fetal monitoring: a randomised controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: During electronic fetal monitoring, the positions provided to mothers by perinatal nurses and midwives are essential for ensuring maternal comfort, as well as maternal and fetal well-being. This study aimed to investigate the impact of various maternal positions during electronic fetal monitoring on maternal and fetal health.

Methods: This study was conducted in a randomized controlled trial design. The study included 240 pregnant women at 34-40 weeks of gestation. The data were collected via a descriptive form for pregnant women and a general comfort questionnaire.

Results: A statistically significant difference was found between cardiotocography monitoring positions in terms of cardiotocography duration, basal heart rate, and acceleration during cardiotocography (p < 0.05). The study indicated that the semi-Fowler position has a statistically significant effect on maternal comfort (t = 3.834, p < 0.05). It was also noted that the semi-Fowler position created a 0.911 rate of increase in general comfort.

Conclusions: The use of the semi sitting position as an alternative to the left lateral position in the clinic is worthy of recommendation, and in pregnant women with a high body mass index, the semi sitting position should be preferred during fetal monitoring. It is recommended that the semi-Fowler position be preferred for fetal monitoring in pregnant women with a high BMI, and further research should be conducted to make these positions standard in the clinic.

Clinical study registration: Since our research constituted a randomized controlled study, it was registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website under ClinicalTrials ID No. NCT05863156|| https://www.

Clinicaltrials: gov/ ) with the Clinical Trial Registry (30.12.2021/{1}) TRIAL REGISTRATION: In addition, clinical trials were registered (NCT05863156|| https://www.

Clinicaltrials: gov/ ) with the Clinical Trial Registry (30.12.2021/{1})).