Fetal heart rate abnormalities are common. Miller et al. have demonstrated that new onset fetal heart rate abnormalities after initial labor epidural dosing occur more frequently in women with a low admission pulse pressure than those with a normal admission pulse. The aim of the present study is to look for a statistical link between the occurrence of a fetal heart abnormality requiring an intervention and maternal hemodynamic factors (blood pressure, pulse pressure, and cardiac output) measured before epidural analgesia in two positions: dorsal decubitus position and in the left lateral decubitus.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pregnant women
• gestational age ≥ 36 weeks
• single eutrophic fetus
• wishing for epidural analgesia
• cervical dilatation less than or equal to 5 cm
• spontaneous labor
• scheduled for a vaginal delivery.

Non-inclusion Criteria:

• prematurity (< 36 weeks of amenorrhea) or post-term birth
• intention of induction of labour using oxytocin before epidural analgesia or prostaglandin
• contraindication to epidural analgesia
• history of hypertension or gravidic hypertension or heart disorder
• gestational diabetes
• foetal malformation or oligohydramnios or fetal growth abnormality
• fœtal macrosomia diagnosed by ultrasonic scanning
• hematocrit less than 20%

Exclusion Criteria

• induction of labour using oxytocin before epidural analgesia
• newborn weight > 4kg at birth