Sleeping on your left side
is one of the best sleep positions for pregnant women. It helps to reduce the risk of blood pressure and morning sickness, and also increases blood flow to the baby.
Here are some tips for sleeping on your left side:
1. Use a pillow to support your back and belly.
2. Place a pillow between your legs.
3. Try to sleep on your left side for at least six hours during pregnancy.
4. If you wake up on your back, roll onto your left side before going back to sleep.
5. If you have trouble sleeping on your left side, try using a pregnancy pillow or body pillow to help you stay in this position.
Sleeping on your right side
When it comes to sleeping positions during pregnancy, your left side is best. Sleeping on your right side, however, is also safe.
Here’s why sleeping on your right side during pregnancy is generally considered safe:
1. It keeps the vena cava compressed.
The vena cava is a large vein that carries blood from your lower body to your heart. When you’re pregnant, the vena cava is compressed by the weight of your growing uterus. This can cause fatigue and breathlessness.
2. It decreases the risk of stillbirth.
A study of more than 500 women who had stillbirths found that sleeping on the right side during pregnancy was associated with a two-fold increased risk of stillbirth.
3. It decreases the risk of GERD.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common pregnancy complaint. Sleeping on your right side can help to decrease the risk of GERD.
4. It can help to relieve back pain.
If you’re experiencing back pain during pregnancy, sleeping on your right side can help to relieve it.
5. It can help to decrease the risk of sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that can occur during pregnancy. Sleeping on your right side can help to decrease the risk of sleep apnea.
Sleeping on your stomach
If you’re used to sleeping on your stomach and can’t imagine doing otherwise during pregnancy, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that nearly half of pregnant women sleep on their stomachs at some point during pregnancy, usually during the first trimester.
Sleeping on your stomach during pregnancy may not be comfortable for long, however. As your baby grows, you’ll probably find that sleeping on your stomach becomes increasingly difficult. By the third trimester, you may find it impossible to sleep on your stomach at all.
If you’re pregnant and want to continue sleeping on your stomach, it’s important to be aware of the risks. Sleeping on your stomach can put pressure on your uterus and restrict blood flow to your baby. It can also cause back pain and make it difficult to breathe.
If you’re pregnant and want to continue sleeping on your stomach, the best thing to do is to listen to your body. If you start to feel uncomfortable, or if your doctor advises you to change positions, it’s time to switch to another sleep position.
There are plenty of other options for comfortable sleep during pregnancy. Sleeping on your side, with a pillow between your knees, is usually the best position for pregnant women. If you’re having trouble sleeping on your side, you can try using a body pillow to support your belly and back.
Sleeping on your back
Sleeping on your back during pregnancy is not recommended after your 20th week. Due to the added weight in your front, sleeping on your back can cause compression of the vena cava, a large vein that returns blood from your lower body to your heart. This compression can lead to low blood pressure, dizziness, and even fainting.
If you find yourself struggling to sleep on your side, there are a few things you can do to make it more comfortable. Use pillows to support your back, belly, and legs. You can also place a pillow between your knees to keep your spine in alignment.
If you wake up on your back, don’t worry. Just turn onto your side and go back to sleep.
The best sleeping position during pregnancy is on your left side. This position allows for the best blood flow to your heart and your baby. It also helps to relieve pressure on your back and keeps your airway clear.
If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, try taking a pregnancy nap during the day. Just make sure not to nap for more than 30 minutes at a time.