Best Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy?
Now more than ever, you’re going to need to get a good night’s sleep! Unfortunately, during pregnancy, sleep can be harder than ever to get. Finding the right sleeping position can be difficult, especially since a few favorite sleep positions (stomach and back), are generally off-limits during much of your pregnancy. What are the best sleeping positions during pregnancy? Read on for the answers. But first, let’s touch on the sleeping positions you should probably avoid.
Stomach Sleeping
Many people love to sleep tummy-down. While it is perfectly fine to sleep on your stomach in early pregnancy, a growing belly will eventually make this impossible. During the second and third trimesters, you’ll have to switch positions and find something more comfortable for you and your baby. Unfortunately, sleeping on your back will most likely be out.
Sleeping On Your Back
Sleeping on your back may seem harmless enough, yet many experts recommend that pregnant women avoid sleeping on their backs during the second and third trimesters. The reason? This position rests the entire weight of your growing uterus and baby on your back, your intestines, and your vena cava. The vena cava is the main vein that carries blood to the heart from the lower body.
What are the best sleeping positions during pregnancy? Read on for the answers.
The pressure from sleeping on your back can interfere with circulation, aggravate backaches, possibly cause hypotension, and make digestion less efficient. Poor circulation can reduce blood flow to the fetus, which in turn gives your baby less oxygen and nutrients.
The key takeaway; it is not entirely unsafe to sleep on your back every now and then, but you should avoid this position for prolonged periods of time, especially during the second and third trimester. With that said, what are the best pregnancy sleeping positions?
Always Strive To Sleep On Your Side
The best pregnancy sleeping position is sleeping on your side, specifically, the left side of the body. Studies show that sleeping on your left side is ideal for you and your baby-to-be. Sleeping on your left side allows for maximum blood flow and nutrients to the placenta. There is also less pressure put on the vena cava.
Additionally, sleeping your left side enhances kidney function, which allows for better elimination of waste products and less swelling in the feet and ankles. Whether it is the first, second, or third trimester, sleeping on your left side is always the ideal pregnancy sleeping position. While sleeping on your right side is still technically safe, you will not enjoy as many benefits or the boost in circulation.
Sleeping Comfortably While Pregnancy
Need to get a bit more comfortable in that side sleeping position? Experts recommend using lots of pillows or even buying a special pregnancy pillow. Pregnancy pillows allow for greater comfort during side sleeping as it seeks to accommodate your growing bump. With a regular pillow, you can also try crossing one leg over the other and putting one pillow between them and then another pillow behind your back.
