What Is The Best Position To Sleep During Pregnancy?

This appears to be a very important question with many pregnant women finding it difficult to figure out the best position to sleep; this difficult feat turns more complex with an aching back, cramped legs and the belly wanting to take over the whole bed. Unfortunately the regular sleeping positions simply do not make you comfortable; this could be due to a number of causes, but you would ultimately figure out the best position to get the much needed rest.

It is advisable to note that a pregnant woman’s body undergoes various changes like the increased size of abdomen, back pain, heartburn, shortness of breath and insomnia that contribute to the disruption of peaceful sleep. Some women like to sleep on their stomach, but for obvious reasons it is not recommended after the fifth month of pregnancy, though many stop doing so even earlier due to discomfort.

Sleeping on the back though it appears favorable on the surface is to be avoided throughout pregnancy especially in the last trimester. When lying on your back during pregnancy, the whole weight of the uterus lies on the spine, back muscles, intestines and major blood vessels; this could lead to aches and pains in the muscles, hemorrhoids and impaired circulation. This position would not only be inconvenient for you and impairs the blood circulation for the baby, but it also prevents the baby from getting oxygen.

It is also significant to note that lying on the back causes the enlarged uterus to press against the inferior vena cava, the vein that returns blood from the lower body to the heart; this would cause low blood pressure, intensify kidney conditions and hypertension and lead to the development of hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and edema. Back sleeping in pregnant women is also known to cause dizziness, snoring and also sleep apnea due to increased weight.

Sleeping on the side is one of the most ideal positions during pregnancy; though it is difficult to maintain the same position at night, sleeping on the left side with your legs and knees bent with a pillow in-between helps. You could definitely favor the left side as it brings bout better blood supply and supply of nutrients to the placenta. It also helps to eliminate waste products and fluids from the body, which in turn reduces the swelling in the feet, ankles and hands.

It is however necessary to understand that if you are experiencing heartburn during the night, it is best to try propping your upper body with pillows. In late pregnancy if you experience shortness of breath, it is best to try lie on your side propped up with pillows. All this makes for the best position to sleep during pregnancy. 

Image Courtesy: Google