HOW MATERNAL POSITION AFFECTS UMBILICAL AND MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY DOPPLER INDICES: INSIGHTS FROM A SCOPING REVIEW

During pregnancy, the change of maternal position from lateral decubitus to supine position induces a reduction in blood flow to the uterus and placenta due to compression of the aorta artery and inferior vena cava by the gravid uterus reducing maternal and fetal oxygenation. This review examined the effect of maternal position during ultrasound exam on fetal Doppler indices. Despite inconsistent findings, the available evidence suggests that the supine position induces the adaptive phenomenon of fetal hypoxia known as the fetal brain-sparing effect, affecting Doppler indices, which may influence the diagnosis of fetal growth restriction.