Sometimes, we can’t fully identify the cause of death.

While some grieving parents want a clear explanation for their loss, stillbirth often has many contributing factors. Therefore, pregnant women should not begin waking themselves at night. Additionally, very disrupted sleep has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes.

The researchers noted that additional studies are required to investigate the relationship between the autonomic nervous system, which regulates bodily function, and the hormonal system and how both systems are regulated during sleep in late pregnancy.Īt this time, we cannot reach any conclusions about the relationship between sleep and stillbirth without more research. Therefore, it’s possible that when a pregnant woman wakes up, this brief increase in blood pressure may reduce her risk of stillbirth. Blood pressure reaches its lowest point during sleep, but surges when someone awakens. The body’s autonomic nervous system regulates blood pressure, and low blood pressure has been linked to fetal growth problems, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Understanding Maternal Health and Sleep Patterns It appears that these disrupted sleep patterns may be a protective response. Many pregnant women report disrupted sleep or waking up in the middle of the night. This connection appeared to be independent of other known risk factors. The survey’s findings suggested a link between stillbirths and mothers who slept for long, undisturbed periods. In the study, researchers analyzed an online survey of 153 women who had experienced a late stillbirth, as well as 480 women who were either in their third trimester or had recently given birth to a live baby. Researchers believe that maternal sleep studies may help them identify interventions and better advise women of potentially modifiable risk factors for stillbirths. A recent study, published in the journal Birth, explores how maternal sleep habits during pregnancy may impact fetal health. According to the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network (SCRN), there are many likely causes and contributing factors to fetal deaths.

Undisturbed birth