NSW Health has welcomed the new Australia-wide education campaign encouraging pregnant women to sleep on their side to avoid stillbirth.
Senior Clinical Advisor in Obstetrics at NSW Health, Michael Nicholl said the Department was committed to reducing preventable stillbirth rates and supporting clinicians to raise awareness among pregnant women.
“It is important to acknowledge the loss and suffering of families who have experienced a stillbirth, and to continue our efforts to prevent future stillbirths through improved education and care,” Professor Nicholl said.
“Stillbirth after 28 weeks of pregnancy affects about one in every 500 babies,” he said.
“The evidence shows that women who go to sleep on their side from 28 weeks of pregnancy can halve the risk of stillbirth, compared to going to sleep on their back.”
Senior Staff Specialist Neonatologist at the Royal Prince Alfred Centre for Newborn Care, Adrienne Gordon said that from 28 weeks of pregnancy, women should go to sleep on their side at night, after waking up throughout the night and when having daytime naps.
“The going-to-sleep position is the one held longest during the night so women should not be concerned if they wake up on their back, but should simply roll back onto their side,” Professor Gordon said.
“Either the left or right side is fine,” she said.
“After 28 weeks of pregnancy, lying on your back presses on major blood vessels which can reduce both the blood flow to the woman’s womb and oxygen supply to the baby.”
The new Side Sleep resources, including Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal versions of posters and flyers for clinicians and pregnant women are available on the NSW Health website at this PS News link.
