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24/11/2016

Lying On Your Back In Third Trimester Could Increase Risk Of Stillbirth - Research

Lying on your back in the third trimester of pregnancy could increase the risk of stillbirth, according to a study published in The Journal of Physiology.

Researchers at the University of Auckland found that it can change the baby’s heart rate and activity state, which suggests that the fetus adapts by reducing its oxygen consumption.

Recent studies have shown that maternal position is important for the baby's health, but it was unclear as to how this can affect the wellbeing of the fetus. This research reports that lying on your back can add stress and may reduce oxygen provided to the fetus, increasing the risk of stillbirth.

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The researchers monitored the fetal and maternal heart rate for 29 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester while changing and maintaining maternal positions for 30 minutes at a time.

The 'fetal behavioural state', a measure of fetal health, was recorded for each maternal position. Each woman was followed until birth and all babies were born in a healthy condition.

Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the RCM, said it was an interesting study that provided clear information regarding maternal position and its effects of the fetus in late pregnancy.

"What this study shows that is different is that, even in the healthiest of women with a fetus with no known risk factors, position is important. There is a lesson here for midwives in that we must ensure that we advise women on the best positions for sleep, as well as for lying on a sofa," she said.

"We have known for a long time that blood pressure is reduced where a woman is lying on her back. Women are advised not to sleep on their backs. Also, it is known that, when in labour, moving a woman to her left-hand side may improve the fetal heart rate trace."

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"Lying on your back in the third trimester of pregnancy could increase the risk of stillbirth, according to a study published in The Journal of Physiology."