Sleep Positions during Pregnancy : Now that pregnant women need more sleep than ever, choosing a suitable sleeping position will keep them and their growing fetus safe and healthy. One thing we need to understand first is that going to sleep and staying in the same position till morning may not be easy. Women are familiarized to sleeping in a particular position that is common but appears to be more easy and comfortable to them, but that changes during pregnancy. In this stage, pregnant women experience frequent urination, tender breasts, heartburn, shortness of breath, back pain, or spells of restlessness and sleeplessness,
in addition to an ever-expanding belly which makes it extremely difficult to identify an ideal sleeping posture. Some sleeping positions possibly will not be safe and comfortable for pregnant women and their baby as compared to others. To keep you together with your baby healthy, and better your sleep throughout your pregnancy period, here is what you should know.
Different Sleep Positions and Their Effects on You and Your Growing Fetus
Lying on Your Back
During your pregnancy, it is recommended that you should discourage sleeping while facing upwards or on your back. Though it may perhaps be safe at some point in your first trimester, one drawback with this resting position is that it makes your uterus and heavy abdomen to put pressure on the vein that functions to carry blood from your abdomen and other lower body regions to your heart. So resting on your back will make you have a lightheaded and unsteady feel, and also slow down the supply of blood and important nutrients to your womb as well as your growing baby.
Some issues such as backaches, digestive system problems, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, hemorrhoids, and poor circulation of air can arise with this sleeping position.
Lying on Your Stomach
After five months of pregnancy, sleeping on your stomach will make it uncomfortable both for you and your baby, and that is as a result of your ever-expanding uterus. It may perhaps feel like you are attempting to sleep on something huge. Some pregnant women will fear that this sleeping position might result in hurting their baby. Fortunately, the uterine walls offer adequate protection for the growing baby, even at the ninth month. That is to say, it’s medically safe to lay in this position while sleeping, though it might not seem to be a comfortable sleeping posture for you.
Lying on Your Side
Sleeping on your sides especially on your left is the most suitable way to rest while sleeping. This encourages the maximum flow of blood for you as well as your growing fetus, and it does not pressurize your liver. Ensure you keep your knees and legs bent and place a pillow in between them to add an extra comfort. Sleeping in this position is also beneficial to your kidneys, as it helps in eliminating fluids and waste from the body, which will definitely reduce bumps in your hands, feet and ankles.
Tips on Sleeping Comfortably during Pregnancy
Use pillows
Place your leg on top of the other leg and insert a pillow in between them along with another pillow at your back. For further support, use a full-body or a wedge-shaped pillow.
Try semi-upright position
If you are uncomfortable with pillows, try lying in semi-upright position while sleeping in a recliner. Bear in mind that it’s always normal to be uncomfortable for some nights at the beginning. As time goes, your body will start to adjust to this new position.
Final Verdict
Finding the appropriate sleeping position during pregnancy is becoming a difficult task since the two common and favorite position that is; stomach and back are not the best. The best position pregnant women should try out after their first trimester is to sleep on their left side, so as to support maximum circulation.
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