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A Position Modification Device for the Prevention of Supine Sleep During Pregnancy: A Randomised Crossover Trial
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

A Position Modification Device for the Prevention of Supine Sleep During Pregnancy: A Randomised Crossover Trial

Danielle L. Wilson, Carley Whenn, Maree Barnes, Susan P. Walker and Mark E. Howard
BJOG, Vol.132(2), pp.145-154
2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17952
PMID: 39279669
Appears in  Thompson Institute Research Collection
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Abstract

accuracy of self-report birthweight foetal heart rate night-to-night variability pillow pregnant side sleeping sleep apnoea sleep-disordered breathing stillbirth Thompson Institute Special Collection Other Collaborations Sleep
Objective To assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a pillow-like position modification device to reduce supine sleep during late pregnancy, and to determine the impacts on the severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and foetal well-being. Design Randomised cross-over study. Setting and Population Individuals in the third trimester of pregnancy receiving antenatal care at a tertiary maternity hospital in Australia. Methods Participants used their own pillow for a control week and an intervention pillow for a week overnight, in randomised order. Sleep position and total sleep time for each night of both weeks were objectively monitored, with a sleep study and foetal heart rate monitoring performed on the last night of each week. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome = percentage of sleep time in the supine position; secondary outcomes = apnoea–hypopnoea index, foetal heart rate decelerations and birthweight centile. Results Forty-one individuals were randomised with data collected on 35 participants over 469 nights. There was no difference in percentage of total sleep time in the supine position overnight between the control or intervention pillow week (13.0% [6.1, 25.5] vs. 16.0% [5.6, 27.2], p = 0.81 with a mean difference of 2.5% [95% CI] = −0.7, 5.6, p = 0.12), and no difference in the severity of SDB or foetal heart rate decelerations across weeks. However, increased supine sleep was significantly related to a higher apnoea–hypopnoea index (rs = 0.37, p = 0.003), lower birthweight (rs = −0.45, p = 0.007) and lower birthweight centile (rs = −0.45, p = 0.006). The proportion of supine sleep each night of the week varied widely both within and across participants, despite awareness of side-sleeping recommendations. Conclusions We found no evidence to suggest that the adoption of a pillow designed to discourage supine sleep was effective in late pregnancy, with women spending an average of 1 h per night supine. Alternative devices should be investigated, incorporating lessons learnt from this study to inform trials of supine sleep minimisation in pregnancy. Trial Registration Clinical Trial: (Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry): ACTRN12620000371998

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Obstetrics & Gynecology

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#5 Gender Equality

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