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Note: This test should not be used. Many studies have discredited it. It was devised
to detect the impending manifestation of metabolic toxemia and was based on the misconception
that high blood pressure somehow causes toxemia. It is included here because some midwives and
health care providers may still be using it in their practices and need to know it is an
invalid screening technique. To avoid confusion regarding what comprises a roll-over test, it is
described below:
THE ROLL-OVER TEST
Between the 28th and 32nd week of pregnancy, the woman lies quietly on her left side for
about 5 minutes. A blood pressure cuff is applied to the right arm and the blood pressure is
taken. After releasing the valve and expelling all air from the blood pressure cuff bladder,
the cuff is left loosely in place on the arm. The woman then rolls over on her back and the
blood pressure is taken again immediately. If the bottom number (diastolic pressure) is
elevated 20 points between the first and the second readings, this is said to demonstrate a
contracted blood volume and indicate a risk of developing metabolic toxemia.
The test is positive in many normal pregnancies and even in the nonpregnant person. Again, this
test has been discredited and should not be used.
This information was obtained from
Understanding Diagnostic Tests in The Childbearing Year by Anne Frye, pg 47. For more
indepth information about hypertension during pregnancy, see the chapter entitled
"Hypertension in Pregnancy" in Holistic Midwifery, Vol. 1 for more information.
To order these books, click on the information below.
By Anne Frye, Rhonda Wheeler (Illustrator)
By Anne Frye
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