In a pregnant patient with suspected preeclampsia, which transport position is preferred to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes?

• A. Hips elevated.
• B. Knee-chest.
• C. Supine.
• D. Left side.

Answer: (D)

In late pregnancy, lying on the left side relieves the uterus from pressing on the inferior vena cava, which improves venous return to the heart and boosts both maternal cardiac output and placental perfusion. This improved uteroplacental blood flow is especially important in preeclampsia, where the fetus may already be at risk from reduced placental perfusion. The left-side position minimizes maternal hypotension and fetal distress during transport.

Other positions don’t optimize this flow: lying on the back (or with the hips elevated) can worsen aortocaval compression and reduce preload, lowering fetal oxygenation; knee-chest or similar positions don’t relieve the vascular compression and are not practical for transport.