The COMFORT STUDY

1. The COMFORT STUDY The Effects of a Head Elevated Ramped Position During Elective Cesarean Delivery under Combined Spinal Epidural (CSE) Anesthesia Department of Anesthesia:, Dr. Simon Massey, Dr. Katherine Cheesman, Dr. Joanne Douglas, Alicia Murdoch WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? During a Cesarean Delivery women usually lie flat on the operating table with a pillow under their right hip. Many women find this position uncomfortable and prefer to have their head slightly up (ramped position). We want to see if women are more comfortable in this position and whether being put in this position delays the time for the anesthetic to work. • WHAT WILL WE DO? • Before your operation, you will be asked to tell us how comfortable you are in different positions • During surgery you will be in 1 of 3 positions - this is chosen randomly, like flipping a coin • Your operation & surgery will be the same as if you weren't in the study • We will measure the level of freezing during your surgery. • WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? • Read the information and sign the consent if you want to be in the study • While you are waiting for your surgery we will check your blood pressure and see which position is most comfortable • This will take about 20 minutes • The decision to be in the study is yours and will not affect your medical care in any way. • WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY? • Women who are having a Cesarean Delivery and: • 19 years or older • 37 weeks Gestation • able to read and understand English • Are healthy or have only mild health problems For more info please contact: Dr. Simon Massey, Dr Katherine Cheesman or Alicia MurdochDept of Anesthesia, BC Women’s Hospital, Telephone: 604-875-2158 http://www.whri.org/newsandevents/participateinresearchstudies.htm Version 3: June 21st, 2010