The latest study has come up with a conclusion stating that there’s no correlation between the sleeping position of pregnant women and a negative impact on their child.
Forget gynecologist, every Tom Dick Harry becomes an expert when they see a pregnant woman. Amongst the most common advice is that sleeping on the left side to avoid the risk of stillbirth or lack of blood flow to the fetus.
But research done with 8700 women during the first 30 weeks of pregnancy indicated that women sleeping on left, right, or back ways are equally likely or unlikely to have adverse effects.
The study also found out that an estimated 22 percent of these women were found to have experienced heavy pregnancy complications whether or not they were sleeping in the right position.
“We can give reassurance to women that over 30 weeks of pregnancy, various sleep positions are safe,” said the head of research Dr. Robert Silver. But because the study did not have women over 30 weeks, they couldn’t make a conclusive claim with respect to the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. This study can be read in the October issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
There were varying answers as to why pregnant women are asked to sleep on their left side. Dr. Nathan Fox- an associate clinical professor in obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of The results were researched upon in terms of numerous adverse pregnancy outcomes- which includes stillbirth, high blood pressure disorders, or having a smaller baby for his or her gestational age. Dr. Silver told that this research should be done during later stages of pregnancy to check if the results remain the same or not.
“Women should look to sleep in whatever position they find suitable for them,” Fox said. “And we [the medical community] have to be careful when giving recommendations about what to do in everyday life. We have to see if there is any evidence to support such claims.”
