Pregnant women should spend longer periods on their side

Pregnant women should spend longer periods on their side Munich  - Pregnant women, who are experiencing problems with their blood circulation, should be placed on their left side and medical assistance called immediately, according to Germany's Professional Association of Gynaecologists in Munich.

Symptoms to watch out for include sudden breathlessness, dizziness, increased heart rate and nausea.

The causes could include pressure being placed on an artery by the baby which can reduce the flow of blood to the mother's heart. By lying on the left side of the body, pressure is taken off the artery known as the vena cava, explains the association's president, Christian Albring.

This condition is called vena cava syndrome and usually occurs in the later months of pregnancy when the baby has grown in size, according to Albring. At this stage of pregnancy, the mother spends extended periods of time lying on her back.

When this happens, the full weight of the womb is placed on the artery. In extreme cases it can lead to premature birth prompting doctors to advise mothers against spending long periods of time lying down and to sleep as much as possible on their sides. (dpa)