NCC Certified Electronic Fetal Monitoring (C-EFM) Practice Exam

Maternal Fetal Exchange is best promoted by which maternal position?

1. Supine

2. Sitting Upright

3. Either Rt or Lt Lateral

4. Standing

The correct answer is: Either Rt or Lt Lateral

The best maternal position to promote maternal-fetal exchange is lying on either the right or left lateral side. This positioning helps optimize blood flow and oxygen delivery to the placenta and fetus by minimizing pressure on the large blood vessels, particularly the inferior vena cava. When a pregnant individual is supine or lying flat on their back, the weight of the uterus can compress these blood vessels, leading to reduced venous return to the heart and potentially lowering cardiac output. Such a situation can affect the oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus. Positioning in a lateral position, especially the left lateral position, is often recommended because it enhances uteroplacental circulation and ensures better oxygenation of the fetus. It also helps decrease the risk of supine hypotensive syndrome which can occur when a pregnant person lies flat on their back. Sitting upright or standing may provide some benefits in terms of comfort and gravity-assisted blood flow, but they do not offer the same level of optimization for maternal-fetal exchange as lateral positioning does.