Pregnancy

Sleeping Positions during Pregnancy

As your baby develops and your abdomen enlarges, you will probably have trouble finding a comfortable position for getting a good night sleep. You may not be comfortable in your normal sleeping position any longer. Many of the reasons for you being uncomfortable come from the size of your belly, back pain, shortness of breath, heartburn, and of course insomnia.

The best and most popular position for pregnant women is on their left side with a pillow between their legs. This position not only allows you to sleep comfortably but also increases the amount of blood and nutrients that your little one and the placenta will receive. You should keep your knees bent with the pillow between either your knees or upper thighs.

If back pain is one of the major reasons you are not sleeping well you can add a pillow under your abdomen while you are sleeping on your side.

If heartburn is keeping you awake you can prop your upper body up with an extra pillow, this has been used by many pregnant women to relieve heartburn and to enjoy a restful nights sleep.

Shortness of breath can also be dealt with by lying on your side and propping your upper body up with an extra pillow or two.

If you find that you are having problems with back pain, use the "SOS" position and try placing a pillow under your abdomen as well.

If you are experiencing heartburn during the night you may want to try propping your upper body with pillows.

In late pregnancy you may experience shortness of breath; try lying on your side or propped up with pillows.

You may think none of these sound very comfortable, but at least try them. You may be very surprised at just how fast you drift off to sleep and sleep all night long unless the baby kicks and wakes you up.

There are some sleeping positions that you should avoid which include sleeping on your back and sleeping on your stomach. Sleeping on your back can cause you to have problems with back pain, digestion, low blood pressure, decrease in blood circulation to the heart and to your baby, and breathing problems Sleeping on your stomach as you become larger and it may become very difficult to lay on stomach.

Remember, these are only suggestions; you will have to try different positions until you find one that is comfortable for you and for baby.