As you’re probably well aware, sleep is super important during pregnancy.But do you know exactly what position to sleep in? You might be thinking that a sleeping position doesn’t matter as long as the mother is comfortable and able to get some shut-eye.Well, we are here to tell you that there are some great benefits for your baby of a specific sleeping position!For more advice, take a look at the benefits of a postpartum doula, or how to handle an ovarian cyst during pregnancy.What Effect Does Sleeping Position Have On A Baby?Different sleep positions can have different impacts on your baby, depending on what trimester of pregnancy you’re in.In your first trimester, you might find it easy enough to sleep on your side, front or back. Generally speaking, any of these sleeping positions should be fine at the beginning of your pregnancy. When you sleep on your back, your fetus is not yet big or heavy enough to cause your blood supply to be greatly different(which is why this is not recommended later on as your baby grows). However, it is usually recommended that wherever possible you do try to sleep on your side during the first trimester, as it is the safest sleeping position.It is recommended that when sleeping on your side, you sleep on your left side instead of your right so that your liver is not holding the weight of the uterus. Sleeping on your left side also allows your heart to pump blood to the fetus and other bodily organs more easily.If you are struggling with a restrictive sleeping routine, then there are orthopedic pillows available for your knees, which are made out of memory foam and may make the positions a little bit more comfortable in the first trimester.For women who are concerned with their comfort during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to buy a firm, supportive mattress. The firm mattress will help to support your hips in a way that won’t cause discomfort. Especially as your belly grows in the second trimester, you are going to want to make sure you have the right mattress to support you. It’s important that your mattress is fairly firm so that your back stays supported and doesn’t sag. If you’re on a budget, you can put a wooden board between your bedsprings and your mattress to give the same effect.Finding a comfortable pillow can also help you sleep better during pregnancy. Besides, you don’t want to be tossing and turning all night long on your hard mattress and not getting a good night’s rest! One thing that may help is to avoid using pillows that trap heat or keep your joints stiff. When you sleep with an uncomfortable pillow, it can lead to stiff back pain or other aches and pains.Getting pregnancy-specific pillows means that they are tried and tested, and should accommodate all your pregnant needs in your second trimester. These come in either a U shape or C shape, which wrap around your stomach and through your legs so that you can sleep comfortably on your side. It can be positioned along your back so that you can hold on to the front, while it sits between your knees and supports the weight of your hips and legs.If you’re wondering whether you are able to sleep on your stomach while you’re pregnant, then the answer is a definite yes, but only up until a certain point. During the first 16 to 18 weeks, this sleep position is safe, but once your bump grows a bit it is best to move to sleep on your side. Your growing bump will probably make it harder to sleep during pregnancy in this position, so hopefully, this won’t be too much of an adjustment anyway! If you do find yourself rolling onto your stomach in the night, then don’t worry, your baby is safe and protected by the amniotic fluid and uterine walls. Simply roll back to your side when you wake up and realize.If you love to sleep on your stomach, then you can buy special stomach sleep pillows, which are often inflatable to protect too much weight from being on top of your belly.Best Position For The Second TrimesterBeing a pregnant woman means getting comfortable can be difficult at the best of times, but sleeping in certain positions can be beneficial for you and your baby so it’s important to monitor your pregnancy sleeping positions.Doctors recommend sleeping on your left side throughout pregnancy, and this is especially important in the second and third trimesters. The trick is finding a comfy pillow so that it’s more natural to keep your head turned left rather than facing forward (which would be more common).Sleeping on your left side instead of your right is usually recommended as the best position, but sleeping on your right side occasionally in the second trimester is not shown to have any lasting issues. There is no known evidence that sleeping on your right side will permanently affect a baby’s motor skills or neurological development.Some doctors recommend sleeping on the left side for the entire pregnancy, however, this can be unrealistic for many pregnant women, since it’s not very comfortable, and nine months is a long time to have uncomfortable sleep. Other doctors recommend that you sleep on your right side or alternate until the 28th to 32nd week, and then switch over to the left side.If you are having difficulty with side sleeping, try getting some extra support from pillows. Use one pillow under your right arm and another pillow under your left arm if you feel the need for added support. If you are unable to find the necessary comfort with these cushions, then you may want to consider using a wedge pillow under or between your knees and under your back as well. If you are having trouble sleeping in this area, then don’t hesitate! Purchasing a wedged chair may help you adjust to bedtime habits that will make sure you rest better over time.You could also look into buying a pregnancy pillow or body pillow, which are pillows that are specifically designed to make sleeping easier and more comfortable for your upper body during pregnancy.Best Position For The Third TrimesterAs your baby grows, it’s important to make sure you are sleeping in the best position for their safety and your own health. Choosing which way to sleep and giving your body the support it needs will help you to stay safe and comfortable throughout your final trimester.In the third trimester, you should avoid sleeping on your back wherever possible, as four medically reviewed research trials have shown an increased link between sleeping on your back and having a stillborn baby. There is no definite reason for this increased likelihood when you sleep on your back, but it has been suggested that it could be caused by the pressure of the baby on your main blood vessels, which restricts the blood flow to the baby, resulting in a less active baby with a lower heart rate.There are a few other reasons that you may want to avoid sleeping on your back during your third trimester too. As well as potentially being a risk factor for stillbirth, it can also contribute to you having back pain, as the weight of your belly is solely on your back. It can also lead to hemorrhoids, poor circulation, and issues with your digestion. If you’re struggling with feeling nauseous during pregnancy anyway, it can also make you start to feel dizzy and lightheaded.It is advised that you sleep on your side instead of sleeping on your back or sleeping on your stomach to protect your baby from this risk. This includes short daytime naps and parts of the night too. There has been some research to show that the left side could be the best side to sleep on, as it protects your liver during pregnancy, so this is suggested by most doctors.If you fall asleep on your side and wake up on your back or stomach, it’s important not to worry too much; the risk of stillbirth is still very low. Just move back into a side position before you go back to sleep.If you’re still struggling to sleep on your side, then you might want to experiment with a sleep position where you are sitting up slightly, with pillows propping your upper half up at a 45-degree angle from the bed, while lying on your back. This can allow for healthy blood flow and take the pressure off of your internal organs.You can continue to use your pregnancy pillows from trimester one or two at this stage to accommodate your side sleeping. If you’re feeling as though you’ve outgrown them and are looking for something to fit your bigger bump, you might choose to invest in a wedge pillow. They slide under your back or belly so that your sleep position stays the same throughout the night, and you don’t accidentally roll onto your back or right side during the night.If you found this article helpful, then why not take a look at our guide to drinking before you know you’re pregnant or how many days after your period you can get pregnant?
As you’re probably well aware, sleep is super important during pregnancy.
