
Pregnant. Does Laying On Back Will Cut Of The Blood Supply To The Baby And Cause Brain Damage?

Thanks for posting your query.
Laying on your back can decrease the blood supply to the placenta and baby due to compression of the abdominal arteries by uterine weight. But the decrease in the blood flow is only 3-4%. This does not cut off the blood supply completely and cannot cause a brain damage to the baby. Please do not worry. Lying on your back for a while does not affect the fetal growth at all.
On long term basis, it has been seen that lying on a side ( specially left lateral position) provides a better blood supply to the growing baby and thus is associated with a better weight gain.
Go for regular antenatal checkup. Get your blood pressure checked regularly, better in the left lateral position while lying down.
Eat plenty of fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables for good nutrition and also to prevent constipation. Drink enough water. Avoid sexual intercourse or bumpy, long journeys towards the last 6 weeks of your pregnancy to reduce chance of pre-term labour.
Wishing you a beautiful pregnancy and healthy delivery and baby.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
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Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.


Thanks for writing again.
Yes. Laying on the back at any time during pregnancy does not pose any danger to the baby's growth or development. It does not cause any irreparable damage.It only causes a slight decrease in the blood flow which is best avoided as far as possible.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards


Lying only once or twice even for several hours will not affect the baby's growth.
Be careful to lie on your left side from now onwards.
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