Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
14:19
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
28.1K
Maternal Rest Improves Fetal Growth in Small-For-Gestational Age and Growth Restricted Fetuses Defined by the Delphi
Greggory R DeVore1,2, Bardo Polanco1
1Fetal Diagnostic Centers, Pasadena, California, USA.
Journal of Clinical Ultrasound : JCU
|March 27, 2025
Summary
Maternal rest in the left lateral recumbent position significantly improved estimated fetal weight (EFW) in fetuses diagnosed with fetal growth restriction (FGR) or small-for-gestational age (SGA). After two weeks of rest, most fetuses increased their EFW above the 10th percentile.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Fetal Medicine
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Fetal growth restriction (FGR) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) are significant concerns in prenatal care, potentially leading to adverse neonatal outcomes.
- Maternal positioning during pregnancy is being explored for its potential impact on fetal well-being and growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether maternal rest in the left lateral recumbent position can increase estimated fetal weight (EFW) in fetuses diagnosed with FGR or SGA.
- To assess the impact of a two-week period of maternal rest on EFW percentiles in at-risk fetuses.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study was conducted on 265 fetuses classified as FGR or SGA using the Delphi consensus criteria.
- Participants were instructed to rest in the left lateral recumbent position during waking hours for two weeks post-diagnosis.
- Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was re-measured two weeks after initiating the maternal rest intervention.
Main Results:
- Of the 265 fetuses, 56% were diagnosed with FGR and 44% with SGA.
- Following two weeks of maternal rest, median EFW percentiles significantly increased from 5.96 to 18 for FGR and from 7.39 to 19 for SGA.
- The intervention resulted in 70% of FGR fetuses and 82% of SGA fetuses increasing their EFW from below to above the 10th percentile.
Conclusions:
- Two weeks of maternal rest in the left lateral recumbent position led to a significant increase in EFW for fetuses classified as FGR or SGA.
- This simple, non-invasive intervention demonstrates potential to improve fetal growth metrics in compromised fetuses.
- The findings suggest that maternal positioning may be a valuable adjunct in managing FGR and SGA pregnancies.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:19Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
The nursing management of Mitral Valve Prolapse, or MVP, centers around patient education, symptom monitoring, and lifestyle modifications.Patient Education on MVP Diagnosis and Heredity: Nurses should provide comprehensive education about MVP, a condition where the mitral valve does not close appropriately during heartbeats. This education often includes the condition's pathophysiology, symptoms, and potential complications, like arrhythmias or mitral regurgitation. Though not fully...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...