Sleeping On The Side Reduces The Risk Of Fetal Death

Pregnancy does not tend to be a time when women get a lot of peaceful sleep. The growing stomach and the need to urinate become an obstacle to being able to sleep continuously, not to mention worries that keep one awake, such as fetal death. Nevertheless , many women are able to find the most comfortable position , so at least this is not a big problem. And the best position is often to sleep on your side to reduce the risk of fetal death.

The point is that it is not wise to sleep on your back during the last trimester of pregnancy . This can pose a serious risk to the fetus.

In the UK, researchers published an article in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology . They found that sleeping on their backs at this stage of pregnancy can double the risk of fetal death.

On the other hand, the researchers found that women who slept on the side had less risk of this fatal result.

By collecting data from 1,000 women in the last trimester of pregnancy, the authors of the MiNess study came to the conclusion that side-lying is safer for the baby in the womb .

The experts suggested that sleeping on the side after the 27th week of pregnancy reduces the risk of fetal death by 3.7% .

In addition, sleeping on your back will increase the risk 2.3 times. This is after the 28th week of pregnancy. This number also applies in comparison with women sleeping on the side.

The study has become the most comprehensive in this field in recent decades. It confirms the results of the less extensive studies of this type. According to the BBC, these were carried out in New Zealand and Australia.

The same study group in the UK, where the study was conducted, found that one in 225 pregnancies ended in fetal death .

Why does the risk of fetal death increase if you sleep on your back?

Until now, there has been no explanation for the relationship between sleeping on your back and the risk of fetal death.

However, one of the hypotheses suggested that when a woman lies on her back, the baby’s weight combined with the weight of the uterus exerts pressure on the blood vessels. This can block the circulation and oxygen of the baby.

Since this reason has not been confirmed and still requires more research, researchers recommend sleeping on the side during the last trimester of pregnancy , as a preventative measure.

It does not matter if a woman sleeps on the left or right side. She can actually put a pillow against her back to prevent her from turning around in her sleep.

Should I be worried if I wake up and lie on my back? Is this dangerous for the baby?

Experts claim that pregnant women do not have to worry if they wake up on their backs . The most important point in these cases is the position they are in when they fall asleep. You are further in this position.

Alexander Heazall, director of Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Center at St. Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, England, was also the director of the study, which was conducted in the country.

This specialist also recommended that women in this stage of pregnancy should sleep on their side every time they sleep. This also includes a small nap during the day .

Alexander Heazell says:

The publication of this study and the recommendations of the researcher coincide with the launch of the Sleep On Side campaign . The organization has directed this to support Tommy’s (the hospital).

• The main goal is to inform pregnant women about the possible risks of sleeping on their backs during the last months of pregnancy, such as fetal death.
• The organization collected some tips and advice for women who have trouble falling asleep when lying on their side.