The Best Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy
What are the best sleeping positions during pregnancy?
What if you have been sleeping the wrong way all the while?🤯
We all know that pregnancy comes with many changes to the patterns you are used to.
There is the right way and the wrong way to sleep when you are pregnant.
The way you sleep is essential because it affects both the baby and your delivery.
Some previous styles and ways of sleeping may pose a massive threat to the baby.
So, it is good for you to have an open mind towards learning the right ways to sleep when pregnant.
I would be outlining the best sleeping positions for the well being of your child.
Just before then, I have good news for you if you are still in your first trimester.
How to sleep when you are in your first trimester of pregnancy
The good news is that you are free to enjoy any sleeping position you wish in your first trimester.😇
That’s because your baby is just forming and cannot exert so much pressure on vital organs.
But…
I’ll advise you to start practising.
You already know what they say about practice and perfection.
Practice early healthy sleeping positions conducive for you and your baby.
What is the best way to sleep when pregnant?
Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses.
If you are reading this and still in your first trimester, now is the time to get intentional and practice gradually.
It keeps your baby’s weight from putting so much pressure on the vein that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.
Advice from gynaecologists about sleeping positions for pregnant moms
Here are some healthy tips from gynaecologists to pregnant moms about sleeping positions.
1. Sleeping on your left side;
As your baby develops at about 20 weeks, or five months, your gynaecologist would advise you to sleep on the left side.
Because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side would help keep the uterus off that large organ.
Sleeping on the left side also makes circulation to the heart better and allows for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys.
If your gynaecologist has not talked to you about this, it’s ok to ask your doctor what they recommend and get better clarity.
Read this next:
17 Major Body Changes to Expect During Pregnancy
2. Support yourself with pillows;
You can get a pregnancy pillow if your doctor okays it for you.
Pregnancy pillows would help you to discover a comfortable sleeping position.
I found out how helpful it is to place a pillow under my abdomen or between my legs.
Also, using a rolled-up blanket to support your back may help to relieve some pressure.
3. Avoid sleeping on your back;
So, when my doctor advised me to stop lying on my back, I told myself I wouldn’t.
But then I was scared that if I roll and sleep on my back, what will happen?
The truth is if you roll and lay on your back in a few minutes, you would get uncomfortable.
Only you by yourself will reposition. 😅
You will have difficulty breathing when you are lying on your back.
Also, your heart will tend to beat faster.
This is your body’s way of saying you need to roll over on your side.
Listen to your body.
4. Lying on your back and stillbirth.
Before now, doctors had carried out research and reached a conclusion that they now find faulty.
They found that pregnant women who sleep on their back risk having a stillbirth.
But like I said, they have faulted that
conclusion.
The reason is that the result for that research was on a small sample of women.
So, stillbirth can result from several other options and not necessarily lying on your back.
If you have concerns about lying on your back or not, just consult with your gynaecologist on your next antenatal visit 🤗.
Significant reasons for sleeplessness during pregnancy and what to do
If you have difficulty sleeping during pregnancy, then that’s an issue you should not overlook.
You need enough sleep when you are pregnant because you’re battling exhaustion most of the time.
It is both helpful for you and your baby.
Here, I would outline a few causes of pregnancy-induced insomnia and how you can deal with them.
If for one reason or another, you find yourself out of bed more than in bed, then that may be pregnancy-induced insomnia.
For most women, this occurs somewhere between the second and third trimester of their pregnancy.
1. Frequent Urination
This is common during the first and third trimesters.
During the first trimester, it is usually because of higher pregnancy hormone levels (hCG ).
Moreso, your kidneys also have to filter up to 50 per cent more blood than usual, which means more urine (in other words, you’re urinating for two).
In the third trimester, your growing uterus presses down on your bladder, increasing your urge to urinate often.
To reduce this, I would advise you to take more water in the day and reduce the water quantity you take during the evening.
So your sleep is not disrupted.
Don’t miss this article:
Top 8 Amazing Benefits of Breastfeeding Your Baby
2. Nasal Congestion
During pregnancy, there is always an increase in blood volume in the membranes of the nose.
This causes an increase in the production and release of mucor.
Leading to a continual stuffy nose and postnasal drip later on in your pregnancy might cause you to cough at night.
So, if you are currently experiencing a stuffy nose, a pregnancy-safe remedy for a stuffy nose during pregnancy, you can try it at home.
Run a warm shower or bath and let the steam help soften the mucus and clear your nostrils so you can breathe again.
This also would help you relax.
3. Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
is an unpleasant feeling in the legs that many describe as “tingly” or “achy.” These feelings are often worse at night, which makes falling asleep difficult
If you are experiencing this, mom, you should be tested for iron or folate deficiency and faithfully take your prenatal vitamins.
4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
This is also known as acid reflux, which happens when stomach content runs back into the esophagus.
This can cause heartburn, vomiting, and breathing problems and also may disrupt sleep.
So to solve this and get your desired rest in sleep, don’t eat a lot of spicy, acidic, or fried foods.
And eat small frequent meals throughout the day.
You can also consult with your gynaecologist for healthy medication if it becomes persistent.
Don’t miss this article: Pregnancy Fatigue: How To Deal With It
Endnote;
Sleep is essential during pregnancy.
That’s why this guide is handy to help you know the best sleeping position for you when you are pregnant.
Also, pregnancy may come with sleeping problems.
Please, make sure you follow the tips above to take care of yourself and get enough sleep.
If you are going to use any medication to induce sleep, please consult with your gynaecologist.
Before we go, here is a quick question for you… How do you sleep when you are pregnant?
Please, leave a comment below.
Your comment could be of help to someone.
PS:
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Viv 🧡