Citation

Nakajima Y, Yamaji K, Ohashi K. J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Res. 2004; 30(1): 15-19.

Affiliation

Division of Child and Reproductive Health, Area of Nursing Science, Course of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan. nakajima@sahs.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14718014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of automobile driving in the third trimester of pregnancy on fetal heart rate and uterine contraction. METHODS: Twenty-nine pregnant women with singleton pregnancies after 28 weeks of gestation were monitored using a portable cardiotocogram during driving, and the results obtained before and after driving were compared. RESULTS: Baseline fetal heart rate and its variability, as well as periodic fetal heart rate patterns, showed no abnormal patterns during car driving. Automobile driving in late pregnancy was not a reinforcement factor for uterine activity. Maternal systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate showed no specific characteristic or adverse change during driving. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that automobile driving in the third trimester of pregnancy has no adverse influences on either pregnant women or fetuses.

Language: en