• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Book An Appointment
  • Patient Resources
  • Shop The Market

The Midwives Of New Jersey

Serving Women, Honoring Birth

  • About Us
    • Our Midwives
      • Lisa Lederer, CNM
      • Kaitlyn Schoenfelder, CNM
      • Coralie Macqueen, CNM
      • Rushea Dawes-Moore, CNM
      • Melanie Comer, CNM
      • Jacqueline Candido, CNM, WHNP
      • Sarah Colbath, CNM
    • Midwife Assistants & Doulas
      • Donna Scales
      • Ashley Cuccaro
      • Malia Englehardt CD (DONA) 
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Olivia Browns
      • Ngena Hohn
      • Erin Walsh
      • Claire Lichtenstein, CLC
    • Our Childbirth Educators
      • Britt Sando, CD (DONA), LCCE, IBCLC
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Donna Scales
    • Our Nurses
      • Grace Rodgers, RN
      • Erin Elsaesser, RN
    • Our Management Team
      • Lisa Lederer, President
      • Christina Garlewicz, Director of Operations
    • Our Philosophy
    • 2020 Birth Statistics
    • Testimonials
    • Videos
    • Ask The Midwives (FAQ)
  • Services
    • Waterbirth
    • Hospital Birth
    • Homebirth
    • Birth Center
    • Labor Support
    • VBAC
    • Postpartum Support
    • Lactation Counseling
    • Well-Woman Care Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage Therapy for Women
  • Programs
    • Childbirth Class
    • Breastfeeding Class
    • BabyCare Class
    • MotherCare Class
    • Homebirth Class
    • Lactation Circle
    • Playgroup
  • Remedies
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • About Us
    • Our Midwives
      • Lisa Lederer, CNM
      • Kaitlyn Schoenfelder, CNM
      • Coralie Macqueen, CNM
      • Rushea Dawes-Moore, CNM
      • Melanie Comer, CNM
      • Jacqueline Candido, CNM, WHNP
      • Sarah Colbath, CNM
    • Midwife Assistants & Doulas
      • Donna Scales
      • Ashley Cuccaro
      • Malia Englehardt CD (DONA) 
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Olivia Browns
      • Ngena Hohn
      • Erin Walsh
      • Claire Lichtenstein, CLC
    • Our Childbirth Educators
      • Britt Sando, CD (DONA), LCCE, IBCLC
      • Rebecca Stein, MPA, LCCE
      • Donna Scales
    • Our Nurses
      • Grace Rodgers, RN
      • Erin Elsaesser, RN
    • Our Management Team
      • Lisa Lederer, President
      • Christina Garlewicz, Director of Operations
    • Our Philosophy
    • 2020 Birth Statistics
    • Testimonials
    • Videos
    • Ask The Midwives (FAQ)
  • Services
    • Waterbirth
    • Hospital Birth
    • Homebirth
    • Birth Center
    • Labor Support
    • VBAC
    • Postpartum Support
    • Lactation Counseling
    • Well-Woman Care Services
    • Chiropractic
    • Massage Therapy for Women
  • Programs
    • Childbirth Class
    • Breastfeeding Class
    • BabyCare Class
    • MotherCare Class
    • Homebirth Class
    • Lactation Circle
    • Playgroup
  • Remedies
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
Home » Blog » How You Fall Asleep Could Increase Stillbirth Risk

How You Fall Asleep Could Increase Stillbirth Risk

April 5, 2019 //  by Midwives Of New Jersey//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInShares35

A large meta-analysis released 4/2/19 showed a clinically significant increase in stillbirth for pregnant women who routinely went to sleep on their back compared to those who fell asleep on either of their sides. The effect of falling to sleep position was not significant until the 3rd trimester.  The study found a 2.6-fold increase in stillbirth in women who usually fell asleep on their backs in the last weeks of pregnancy.

The researchers understand that women will sometimes find themselves on their backs during the night.  The position in which a person initially falls asleep is the position they sleep in the longest. So going to sleep on their side has the biggest effect on the pregnancy. They recommend that should a woman wake up on her back, she not panic and just roll over onto either side at that point.

The study looked at over 800 pregnancies that ended in stillbirth and compared to 2200 pregnancies that did not. The study identified several factors each independently associated with stillbirth including going to sleep on their back.

Modifiable risk factors for late term stillbirth
< 10th birthweight customised centile
Decreased fetal movements (last two weeks)
Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2)
Smoking (beyond first trimester)
Overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2)
Supine going-to-sleep position (last two weeks)

(Source)

Stillbirth is a devastating outcome of pregnancy that happens in approximately 1% of all pregnancies. Any information that can reduce this risk is valuable.

Medical Conditions Associated with an Increased Risk of Stillbirth Include:

  • Hypertension disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Maternal obesity

Pregnancy Risk Factors Include:

  • Multiple gestation
  • Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP)
  • First baby or >5th baby
  • Poor outcomes in prior pregnancies
  • History of miscarriage or stillbirth in prior pregnancy

(Source)

The exact cause of stillbirth is not completely known because, thankfully, even in the presence of these risk factors most babies are born alive and well.

Based on this information, we recommend that after 28 weeks of pregnancy, you go to sleep on one side or the other.

 

FacebookTweetPinLinkedInShares35

Category: Pregnancy & Birth

Related Posts

  • Pregnant-black-mother-and-her-little-daughter-practicing-yoga-at-home
    Avoiding Cesarean: Exercise in Pregnancy
  • Dr. Oz on Pregnancy Myths
  • Natural childbirth, birth plan
    Iodine-Essential Brain Nutrient in Pregnancy
  • A Client's Pregnancy and Birth Video
  • table full of food
    10 Holiday Pregnancy Eating Tips
  • Trying to Conceive? What to do BEFORE Getting Pregnant!
Previous Post: «woman opening gifts at a baby shower Best Baby Shower Gift
Next Post: How Safe is Waterbirth? »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Mount Olive

125 U.S. 46 Suite 3
Budd Lake 07828
Phone: (908) 509-1801

More About Our Mount Olive Location

Madison

250 A Main St
Madison 07940
Phone: 973-264-4307

(located in Hollenbach Family Chiropractic)
More About Our Madison Location

Hoboken

51 Newark Street Suite 205
Hoboken 07030
Phone: (201) 499-7119

More About Our Hoboken Location

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Locations
  • Contact

Copyright © 2010–2021 The Midwives Of New Jersey · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Heritage Marketing Group

Close Popup

Midwives of New Jersey Practice Orientation with Expectant Parents

Midwives of New Jersey Orientation

Join the Midwives of New Jersey for an informative time of conversation, Q&A, and a tour of our office.

Learn More

We have a few openings left for June! Be sure to sign up for an orientation!

Visit Orientation