Pregnant women lying on their backs may have higher risk of stillbirth
WOMEN who lie on their backs in the last three months of pregnancy may have a higher risk of stillbirth, research suggests.
Women who lie on their back in the last three months of pregnancy have higher risk of stillbirth
A study found that lying on the back leads unborn babies to adopt a more dormant or inactive state, possibly caused by receiving lower levels of oxygen.
The baby’s heart rate is also affected, according to the report, published in the Journal of Physiology.
Further research is needed to see the effect of staying in certain maternal sleeping positions overnight
Researchers at the University of Auckland analysed data for 29 healthy pregnant women in their third trimester.
The women’s heart rate and their baby’s heart rate were monitored while they rested in four positions, changing them every 30 minutes.
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The lying positions were: on the left, on the right, on the back but propped up at a 30-degree angle with a pillow, and flat with a pillow.
Women were tested in different positions
Peter Stone, professor of maternal foetal medicine at the university and lead investigator of the study, said: “We have only looked at the effect of maternal positions while the mother is awake.
Lying on the back leads unborn babies to adopt a more dormant or inactive state
The mother's and the baby's heart rate were monitored during the experiment
“Further research is needed to see the effect of staying in certain maternal sleeping positions overnight.”