Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy: What's Safe and Effective?

Most experts agree that once the abdomen starts to expand, it is best to sleep on the left side with knees bent. Not only is side sleeping more comfortable, it also helps improve blood flow for the pregnant person and the fetus.

Stomach sleeping is considered safe during early pregnancy, but is not advised by the second trimester.

Why should pregnant women sleep on their left side during pregnancy?

First of all, the left lateral position can reduce the pressure of the enlarged pregnant uterus on the aorta and skeletal arteries of pregnant women, maintain the normal blood flow of uterine arteries, ensure the blood supply of the placenta, and provide the required nutrients and a comfortable growth environment for the growth and development of the fetus.

Secondly, the left lateral position can also reduce the compression of the inferior vena cava by the pregnant uterus and increase the blood flow back to the heart. The increase in blood flow back to the heart increases renal blood flow and improves the blood supply to the brain tissue, which is conducive to avoiding and reducing the occurrence of hypertensive syndrome of pregnancy.

Thirdly, in late pregnancy, most of us will have the phenomenon of uterine right rotation, the left side of the sleep is also in order not to aggravate the uterine right rotation, but also has the effect of alleviation, to ensure the safety of the fetus baby.

Therefore, adopting the left lateral sleeping position during pregnancy is very important for eugenics and the health of both mother and child.

How many weeks into the pregnancy should a pregnant woman be aware of her sleeping position?

You can adjust the appropriate sleeping position according to your pregnancy week.

1. Early pregnancy (1-3 months), supine/side-lying

At the beginning of pregnancy, the baby in the stomach is relatively small, external forces or their own pressure will not be very heavy. Therefore, pregnant mothers do not need to be too concerned about the sleeping position, choose to lie on the back or left and right side can be. What you need to pay attention to is not to sleep on your stomach (it will compress the stomach) and pay attention to adjust the good habits of work and rest can be.

2. Mid-term pregnancy (4-7 months), recommended side-lying

As the baby in your belly grows day by day, this is the time to learn to lie on your side, either on the left or right side, or choose to alternate between left and right side lying positions. Because if you sleep flat on your back for a long time in mid-pregnancy, it may aggravate low back pain and affect the blood flow to the uterus and placenta.

3. Late pregnancy (8-10 months), preferably left side

In late pregnancy, the uterus enlarges more, the sleeping position has a great influence on the pregnant mother herself and the fetus, and the left side is the best sleeping position for pregnant mothers at this stage.

If the pregnant mother feels very difficult time, may wish to use the maternity pillow, to ease the pain.

However, it is important to note that it is best not to lie on your back or flat for long periods of time while sleeping. Because the uterus can easily compress the inferior vena cava when lying flat, so the blood transported back to the heart will be reduced. Once the blood back to the heart is reduced, then the circulation of blood out of the heart will be reduced, easy to make pregnant mothers lying on their backs syndrome, such as dizziness, nausea, chest tightness and so on.

Encountered this situation, do not panic, immediately the left side of the calm breathing, a moment the symptoms will be relieved, if the change of posture is still uncomfortable, should go to the hospital as soon as possible.

What kind of pregnant women don't sleep on their left side?

Pregnant moms who suffer from heart disease or have heart failure may increase the burden on their heart if they keep sleeping on their left side;

If a pregnant mom with a naturally left-sided uterus sleeps blindly on her left side, she can easily aggravate her left-sided uterus.

So in order to ensure a good night's sleep during pregnancy, it is recommended that expectant mothers should change positions from time to time, whichever is comfortable, and remember to see your doctor if you have discomfort that cannot be relieved by adjusting your sleeping position!

Wish you all a smooth pregnancy!