Lying on your back while pregnant could increase the risk of stillbirth

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/tps-loy111716.php

Public Release: 21-Nov-2016
Lying on your back while pregnant could increase the risk of stillbirth
Researchers at the University of Auckland have found that pregnant women who lie on their backs may be increasing the risk of stillbirth
The Physiological Society

Pregnant women who lie on their backs in the third trimester may be increasing the risk of stillbirth, according to a study published in The Journal of Physiology.

Researchers at the University of Auckland have found that lying face up while pregnant can change the baby's heart rate and activity state which suggests that the fetus adapts by reducing its oxygen consumption. This finding may explain the increased risk of stillbirth in the supine (lying upwards) position.

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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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He added, "We have only looked at the effect of maternal positions for a short period of time while the mother is awake. Further research is needed to see the effect of staying in certain maternal sleeping positions overnight."