Fetal distress and positioning - "expert" opinion sought

[Bluegoat]

I have a question for those who have some medical knowledge. A doctor told me today that mom's position during labour wouldn't affect the fetal heart rate. In the situation we were discussing the mom was stationary with an epidural for several hours and there were some disturbing readings from the EFM.

This doesn't seem true to me - if the baby was stuck because of mom's position, I would think that would cause stress on baby, or a bad position could compromise the oxygen supply at least to some extent. So moving mom around might help and would be worth a try, IMO.

But, I am only going on what I have read and my sense of how things work. I'd be interested to have another thought. If I am right, it seems weird to me that doctors would not know this, or at least see the logic if someone said it.

[TzippityDoulah]

he's wrong flatly.

there are many reason why is can effect the baby's heartarte... one example would be a baby who had a cord wrapped around him - depending on how mom is laying it could pull cord tigher or looser. (the body of the mom often compensates of rthis naturally and instinctively is left alone with). another example would be indirectly - if mom is in a position that is stalling progressiong but increasing contractions (which is common with supine labours) then the baby gets the brunt of a lot of onctractions which can lower the heart rate for too long.

a lower heart rate right before baby is born is normal with conractions, so long as it comes right back up after each contraction (varying factors of course on this one...) but being in a labor that isn't progressing b/c of bad positioning put much undo stress of the baby.

[lifeguard]

Doesn't sound right to me. At one point with ds I was on my back (temporarily) & his heart rate did dip a little. The ob had my turn over onto my knees & immediately his heartrate returned to normal & stayed that way.

[thefreckledmama]

With my second child, she kept having decels down into the 80's. I had an epidural, and laying on my left side DID help with her heart rate. When she was born, the cord was around her neck.

In my specific situation, position did play a key factor in her heart rate.

[TzippityDoulah]

bluegoat - I just realized you're due this month? I had no idea! congrats!

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by HennyPenny

bluegoat - I just realized you're due this month? I had no idea! congrats!

Thanks! I'm actually due tomorrow, though I don't think it will be for a few days yet. Or maybe hoping, my dh is in the middle of laying some floor and it would be great if he finished before the big event.

[buckeye_bebe]

I have several ob/gyn texts and references, and they all indicate that maternal position can affect fetus. Maybe he has a special book?

[MiaMama]

Not an expert, just sharing my personal experience.

I birthed in a hospital, no epidural. My baby had some late decelerations that the midwives and OB's were concerned about. They resolved it by adjusting my position.

To be honest, the OB's wanted to resolve it by c-section. The midwives made them stay out in the hallway. LOL. Maybe if the doc you are talking to never had a coworker tell them to chill out, they never even tried to resove FHR issues with position.