Sound sleep is essential for mothers and babies during pregnancy. But many factors, including fluctuating hormones, changing body systems, and stress levels, do not facilitate sound sleep. As pregnancy progresses, a growing baby bump, leg and back pain, and heartburn can add to the list of discomfort. But no worries! We have some pregnancy-time sleeping positions to cut some concerns from your list.

Lie on Stomach

A pregnant woman sleeping position is of concern to everybody in the house. The house members discourage pregnant women from sleeping on their stomachs. But guess what? You can sleep in whichever position you feel comfortable in. Eventually, your baby bump won't allow you to sleep face-down. But in that case, you can take a pregnancy pillow with a big hole in the middle to sleep. 

Lie on Back

Many studies suggest that lying on the back is not an ideal pregnancy time sleeping position. Doing so might lead to low birth weight and late stillbirth, as sleeping on the back reduces blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus. Sleeping on the back may also make breathing difficult for the mother. This risk can increase the possibility of pregnancy complications. 

However, you should not worry if you find yourself sleeping on your back at midnight. Pregnant women often spend at least some time sleeping in this position. If you find yourself in this position, try putting a wedge-shaped cushion behind you. By doing so, the effects of sleeping on your back will be lessened because if you roll over, you'll be tilted.

If you are naturally comfortable sleeping on your back, you can use a pregnancy pillow while sleeping. Studies suggest that sleeping flat on your back may contribute to back pain, hemorrhoids, digestive issues, and poor circulation. It may also make you feel dizzy throughout the day.

Lie on the Left side

Many doctors consider the best pregnancy time sleeping position to be the left side. Positioning yourself on the left side of the body enables the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) to flow blood most efficiently. This vein runs parallel to your spine and supplies blood to your heart and baby.

Sleeping on your left side relieves strain from your liver and kidneys. This provides greater space to move around comfortably and alleviates swelling problems in your hands, ankles, and feet.

Lie on the right side

If the best pregnant woman sleeping position is on the left side, what about the right?

The research on pregnancy time sleeping position on your right side is inconclusive. While not as much as back sleeping, this position places extra pressure on the Vena Cava and Aorta. Right-side sleeping has been linked to increased rates of late stillbirth, but other studies have concluded that it is just as beneficial as left-side sleeping. 

Experimenting with different sleeping positions is alright to arrive at an ideal position for yourself. But you must consult your doctor before sticking to a sleep position. Prevention is always better than cure.