How should you position an unconscious pregnant patient for transport?

Positioning an unconscious pregnant patient correctly is crucial for both maternal and fetal well-being during transport. The optimal position is a left lateral tilt. This positioning helps to relieve pressure on the inferior vena cava, which is a large vein that returns blood to the heart from the lower body. When a pregnant patient lies supine (on her back), the weight of the uterus can compress this vein, leading to decreased venous return and potentially causing hypotension and reduced blood flow to the fetus.

By placing the patient in a left lateral tilt, you ensure that gravity assists in improving circulation and oxygenation for both the mother and the fetus. This position also helps to prevent airway obstruction and maintains the airway more effectively in an unconscious patient.

In contrast, while a right lateral tilt might provide some benefit, it is generally not as effective because it does not alleviate the pressure on the inferior vena cava as effectively as the left lateral position. A supine position is not advisable for an unconscious pregnant patient due to the risks associated with compression of major blood vessels. A seated position is also inappropriate as it does not support the necessary physiological needs in such a scenario. Thus, the left lateral tilt is the safest and most effective position for transporting an unconscious pregnant patient.