Enjoying good sleep during pregnancy is mandatory to maintain the health and wellness of expecting mothers. Pregnant women, who are nearing labour, will find it difficult to sleep and rest comfortably with their baby bump. Not all resting positions work for expecting mothers. This article elaborates on the best and safe sleeping position during pregnancy.
During the first trimester, it is safe for a woman to sleep in whichever position she is comfortable with. whether that is laying on her back or side. By this time the uterus is large enough to interfere with the sleep patterns
Pregnant women are often curious and concerned about their health and the safety of their babies. Therefore, the have doubts about what position is good to sleep during pregnancy. Experts and doctors would advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side while sleeping on their right side is also safe. Expecting mothers may find it impossible to lay on their stomachs past three months from conceiving their babies. While speaking about pregnancy sleeping positions, doctors ask expecting mothers to refrain from laying on their backs for all parts of the night. But pregnant ladies need not worry about rolling at night onto their backs. But in general, pregnant women need not be extremely cautious of their sleeping positions. Just go with positions that seem comfortable and relaxing.
When it comes to recommendations regarding the pregnant lady sleeping position suggested during the past, it was believed that sleeping on the side can optimise the amount of blood that returns to the human heart. This further optimises the amount of oxygenated blood supplied to the fetus. But recent studies proved that there are no definite or obvious differences in the results observed and obtained between pregnant ladies, who slept on their side for long periods, and those who did not.
If doctors recommend pregnant women sleep on their side, it is wise to follow the received advice since the latter would have offered the said recommendation only after thoroughly examining the health condition of both the mother and the fetus.
The safest and the most recommended sleeping position during pregnancy 5thmonth is on the side, be it on either side, but most preferably left. Sleeping on the side is ideal for both the mother and the baby. In specific, sleeping on the left side induces various health benefits like an increased supply of nutrients and blood to the organ that develops within the uterus and is considered crucial during pregnancy, the placenta. Sleeping on the left also reduces the pressure inflicted on one of the most significant veins, the blood-supplying vena cava. This position also helps with improving the functioning of the kidneys. When kidneys function rightly, there are increased chances for better removal of human waste and unnecessary body fluids, which further reduces swelling in the feet, hands, and legs of pregnant women.
Listed below are several tips on sleeping positions during pregnancy.
● Use additional pillows: Pregnant ladies can try crossing their legs with a pillow in between them while sleeping. They can also use a pillow behind their back. Use as many pillows as required, provided the final position is safe and comfortable.
● Try using special pillows: Several pillows are specially designed and sold for pregnant women, like the wedge-shaped foam pillows, the 5-foot body pillow, etc. These specially designed pillows offer full-body comfort for expecting mothers.
● Sleep upright when pillows don't work: Pregnant women may not find pillows comfortable at all times. In these cases, they can try sleeping upright against the headboards of beds or on recliners.
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By the second and third trimesters, it is best to sleep on the left side. That maximizes the blood flow to the uterus without applying pressure on the liver. A few women experience back pain during pregnancy, to ease that may place a pillow or two between the knees or bend them during sleep.
The following positions should be avoided during pregnancy. However, if you get into either of these positions during pregnancy, while sleeping, changing the position when you are conscious should be fine.
Many pregnant women worry that sleeping on their back will harm the developing fetus. However, there is no reason to avoid sleeping on the back during the first trimester. As pregnancy progresses, most women find that sleeping on the back becomes difficult.
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In the third trimester sleeping on the back adds pressure to the main blood vessels that deliver blood to the uterus. This pressure might reduce the oxygen supply to the fetus, it can also increase unpleasant symptoms, like dizziness, heartburn, nausea etc. in women.
If a woman frequently awakens on her back, she can try using pillows to support her body and help her remain on her side.
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