What Do You Think Are The Best Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy?

During pregnancy period a lot of women find it difficult in having a comfortable night rest because of their big stomach. At this point, what do you think is the best sleeping positions for you during this period?

From steering clear of your favorite contact sports to shunning certain foods, the do’s and don’ts list of pregnancy can be a bit overwhelming. And as your belly grows week after week, you may be adding sleep positions to your list of concerns.

Here’s some help wading through the myths and facts related to sleep positions during pregnancy and how the way you rest affects the health of your baby and you.

Side Sleeping: Left Vs. Right

Doctors generally recommend sleeping on your side during pregnancy, especially as time goes on. Why is this exactly? It boils down to blood flow. But the good news is that a 2019 review of medical studies found that either side is fine really.

Left Side

Sleeping on your left side is often referred to as the “ideal” scenario during pregnancy.

Positioning yourself on the left side of your body allows for optimal blood flow from the inferior vena cava (IVC), which is a large vein that runs parallel to your spine on the right side. It carries blood to your heart and, in turn, to your baby.

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Sleeping on your left side also takes the pressure off your liver and your kidneys. This means more room to function properly, helping with swelling issues in your hands, ankles, and feet.

Right

So, if left is ideal should you avoid the right side? Not necessarily.

That 2019 study review showed equal safety with sleeping on the left and right sides. There’s a very slight risk of compression issues with the IVC when you sleep on the right, but it’s mostly a matter of where you’re most comfortable.

A Note About Baby’s Sex

By the way, you may have heard that what side you sleep on indicates the sex of your baby. Unfortunately, this is just another urban legend you should take with a grain of salt. There are no studies to suggest that sleep position has any correlation to the sex of your baby.

Ways To Make Side Sleeping Work

If side sleeping isn’t your thing, here are some suggestions for how to make it feel more natural or at least comfortable. If you’re especially concerned about your sleeping position, you may even ask your partner to check on you from time to time and help nudge you into a better position.

First Trimester

Sleeping in any position is generally fine early on. But if you want to get into the habit of favoring your side, try simply slipping a pillow between your legs. This may ease discomfort in your hips and lower body as you adjust.

And if you want to be a little, well, extra, you could consider getting an orthopedic knee pillow that’s made of memory foam.

Second Trimester

As your belly grows, you’ll want to make sure your mattress is somewhat firm so your back doesn’t sag. If yours is too soft, you might consider slipping a board between your mattress and box spring.

You may also want to look into pregnancy pillows. They come in U or C shapes and wrap around your entire body to help with side sleeping. You position the pillow so that it runs along your back and then hug the front while simultaneously slipping it between your knees.

Third Trimester

Continue using a pregnancy pillow for support. If you find them a bit cumbersome with your growing belly, investigate wedge pillows. You can stick them under your belly and behind your back to keep yourself from rolling.

If you simply can’t get used to sleeping on your side, try using pillows to prop your upper body at a 45-degree angle. This way, you’re not flat on your back and you take the compression off your IVC. Alternatively, you can try elevating the head of your bed a couple of inches with books or blocks.

Stomach Sleeping

Wondering if you can sleep on your stomach during pregnancy? You sure can at least for a while.

Stomach sleeping is OK until you reach about weeks 16 to 18. At that point, your bump may be growing a bit bigger, making this position less and less desirable. It may feel a bit like you’re trying to sleep atop a watermelon.

Besides comfort, though, there isn’t much to worry about if you somehow find yourself on your stomach. The uterine walls and amniotic fluid protect your baby from being squished.

To make this position more comfortable, you may consider purchasing a stomach sleeping pillow. Some are inflatable and some are more like a firm pillow with a large cutout for your belly.

Whatever one you choose, the idea is that you get some shut-eye on your stomach while giving your baby (and you) plenty of room to breathe.

Back Sleeping

Sleeping on your back is generally considered safe throughout the first trimester.

After that, you may have heard that studies link sleeping the whole night on your back to stillbirth. Before you get too worried, understand that the studies are small and there may be other factors, like sleep apnea or recall bias, at play here.

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As well, some experts at the Cleveland Clinic point out that it may only be sleeping an entire night on your back that’s dangerous, which is nearly impossible with all the bathroom trips and insomnia you may be experiencing.

These studies can’t be completely discounted. In the end, not sleeping on your back may lower your risk of stillbirth after 28 weeks by 5.8 percent.

Plus, there are some other issues with sleeping on your back. This position may contribute to back pain, hemorrhoids, digestive issues, and poor circulation. It may make you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Should you worry if you wake up on your back in the middle of the night? Likely not but it’s a good idea to try another position.

If you’re a solid sleeper (lucky you!) and often find yourself on your back, consider placing a wedge pillow behind you. That way, when you try to roll onto your back, you’ll stop at an angle that will still allow blood to flow and nourish your baby.

In Summary

There’s a lot you may worry about during your pregnancy. Your sleep position doesn’t need to be top of the list.

Doctors recommend resting on your side right or left to give you and your baby the optimal blood flow. Beyond that, you might try using some pillow props to get into the most comfortable position for you.

Soak in all the sleep you can before your baby is born. And consult with your doctor if you have other questions about which position is best.