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Pregnant women risking lives of babies by sleeping on backs

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Jun 2017, 8:35AM
(Photo / Getty Images)

Pregnant women risking lives of babies by sleeping on backs

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Wed, 14 Jun 2017, 8:35AM

Pregnant women could be risking the lives of their babies by sleeping on their backs.

New research claims nearly one in ten last trimester stillbirths could be prevented, if women sleep on their sides.

Healthpoint obstetrician and gynaecologist Khaldoun Aweidah said about 15 babies could be saved each year.

He told Rachel Smalley when a woman sleeps on her back, the weight of the baby can put pressure on major arteries, restricting blood flow to the baby.

"When you tilt or lie on your side, basically there will not be enough flow of blood to the baby," he said.

LISTEN ABOVE AS KHALDOUN AWEIDAH SPEAKS WITH RACHEL SMALLEY

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