Brachial Arterial Blood Pressure in the Lateral Recumbent Position during Pregancy

Summary Brachial arterial blood pressures measured by sphygmomanometry fall significantly in most non‐pregnant and normal pregnant women when they turn from the supine to right or left lateral recumbent positions. These changes are most marked in the second trimester of pregnancy. This finding is in contrast with the rise in brachial arterial blood pressure and relief of adverse symptoms that occur when pregnant women who develop the supine hypotensive syndrome are turned into a lateral position. Possible mechanisms to account for these blood pressure changes are discussed.