Left-side positioning for pregnancies with fetal growth restriction
Impact of Maternal Left-Lateral Recumbent Positioning in Pregnancies With Fetal Growth Restriction
This trial tests whether pregnant people with fetal growth restriction who lie on their left side for several hours a day help their baby grow better and affect maternal and fetal health measures.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Colorado, Denver Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06919692 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants with a singleton pregnancy between 24 and 34 weeks and an estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile are assigned to practice left-lateral recumbent positioning for a cumulative 4 hours per day with brief stretching after each hour, or to receive standard care without scheduled left-side positioning. Researchers will compare fetal biometry over time as the primary outcome and will also measure maternal metabolomics, maternal mental health, fetal cardiac function, and delivery outcomes. The intervention is noninvasive and home-based, with regular clinic visits at the enrolling centers for measurements and monitoring. Exclusion criteria remove pregnancies with significant umbilical artery Doppler abnormalities, clotting disorders, high pre-pregnancy BMI, multifetal or chromosomal anomalies, active anticoagulation, or active smoking.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant people aged 18–65 with a singleton pregnancy at 24–34 weeks, an estimated fetal weight under the 10th percentile, and fluency in English or Spanish are eligible and most likely to qualify.
Not a fit: People with severe umbilical artery Doppler abnormalities (AEDF/REDF), known hypercoagulability or prior thromboembolism, BMI > 40, those on anticoagulation, multifetal or chromosomally abnormal pregnancies, or active smokers are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, daily left-side positioning could offer a simple, low-cost way to improve fetal growth and related birth outcomes in pregnancies affected by fetal growth restriction.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows maternal position can change hemodynamics, but using daily left-lateral positioning specifically to improve fetal growth in fetal growth restriction is relatively untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant persons between 18 - 65 years of age, with a diagnosis of fetal growth restriction, with an estimated fetal weight less than tenth percentile * Participants with a singleton pregnancy between 24- and 34-weeks' gestational age * Participants with fluency in English or Spanish language Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with a known history of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or hypercoagulability disorder * Patients with a pre-pregnancy BMI greater than 40 * Pregnancy with severe abnormality in umbilical artery Doppler flow, including absent end-diastolic flow (AEDF) and reverse end-diastolic flow (REDF) * Patients receiving anticoagulation therapy * Pregnancy with suspected chromosomal anomalies or a multifetal pregnancy * Patients with an active smoking status during pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations
- UCHealth Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetics Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus — Aurora, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
- CU John C. Hobbins Perinatal Center — Denver, Colorado, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Manesha Putra, MD — University of Colorado Anschutz, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Study coordinator: Hannah E Vincent, PhD
- Email: hannah.vincent@cuanschutz.edu
- Phone: 7209191019
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.