Pregnant Women Who Sleep On Their Back May Increase Stillbirth Risk

The five-year study found that women who sleep on their backs are six times more likely to have a stillborn baby. Lead researcher Dr Adrienne Gordon, from Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, said previous research had suggested prolonged periods in this position restricted blood flow to the baby. It's thought that sleeping on the right side or on the back reduces blood flow through a major vein from the legs to the heart, which affects the supply to the womb. The researchers added it was important that women who are currently pregnant 'don’t become alarmed if they sometimes sleep on their back'. Experts have pointed out previously that three-quarters of pregnant women sleep mostly on the left side – higher than the rate in women who are not pregnant. This may suggest they instinctively choose a sleeping position that works best for baby. 10% of stillborn babies have some kind of abnormality, and other possible causes include problems with the mother's health or problems with the placenta, which links the baby’s blood supply to the mother’s. Stillbirth Foundation Australia, which funded Dr Gordon’s work, said the study was unique as it looked exclusively at women who were more than 32 weeks pregnant.