Maternal sleep behaviours preceding fetal heart rate events on cardiotocography

Abstract

Abstract: In Australia, a significant proportion of stillbirths remain unexplained. Recent research has highlighted nocturnal maternal behaviours as potentially modifiable contributors. This study determined whether sleep-related behaviours including sleep position and sleep-disordered breathing adversely affect fetuses overnight, in both uncomplicated pregnancies and those at increased risk due to hypertensive disorders or fetal growth restriction (FGR). All participants underwent polysomnography with time-synchronized fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring (cardiotocography – CTG) in late pregnancy. CTGs were analysed for abnormal FHR events, including decelerations and reduced variability, by ..