Comfortable Sleeping Positions When Pregnant

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Getting a good night’s rest during pregnancy can be difficult, especially as your growing belly makes it difficult to find comfortable sleeping positions when pregnant. Because sleeping on your belly becomes not only uncomfortable but potentially dangerous, it’s important to learn the best way to sleep to accommodate your growing body.

Comfortable Sleeping Positions When Pregnant: Early Pregnancy
During the early stages of your pregnancy, any sleeping position you’re used to is fine. Before 12 weeks, your uterus hasn’t grown enough to protrude so there is no chance of harming your unborn baby by sleeping on your stomach. Still, you should practice safer sleeping positions early on.

Best Sleeping Positions When Pregnant: Left Side is Best
After 12 weeks, it becomes important to sleep on your side to avoid harming your baby. This is also the most comfortable position because lying on your back can also be dangerous. It will compress the vena cava, causing dizziness and other symptoms. Compressing the vena cava can also interfere with blood flow and nutrients to the placenta and baby. Sleeping on your left side is the best and most comfortable position because it also takes weight off this important blood vessel.

Tips for Sleeping Positions When Pregnant
If you’re not used to sleeping on your side, try using maternity pillows to support your body. Along with full body pillows, there are pillows designed to support your growing stomach while you sleep. If you have heartburn at night, prop your upper body with a pillow. Using pillows during pregnancy can also reduce the shortness of breath you may experience in your third trimester.