Often women wonder if it is alright to sleep on their
tummy during pregnancy. Sad to inform you pregnant
ladies out there but sleeping on the belly and on
the back are not the best positions for you during
your pregnancy months. Finding a comfortable sleeping
position is one of the reasons why women become sleep
deprived in the later part of their pregnancies. It
is a sacrifice indeed to have to give up your favorite
sleeping positions. One good tip is to get accustomed
to sleeping on the sides long before your belly balloons
up.
Now that you are prepared to give up on your favorite
sleeping position, be prepared to lose some sleep.
Getting used to the new position(s) will take some
getting used to. As mentioned earlier, better to make
this change early on instead of waiting till the time
when sleeping in your favorite position becomes just
impossible. Imagine distressing yourself over the
new position when you are heavily pregnant and tired!
Why Sleeping on the back
and tummy is a NO..
• As your belly expands, sleeping on your expanded belly
not only becomes impossible; it is also uncomfortable
(don't worry your baby won't get squashed inside should
you sleep on your belly)
• The back position causes the entire weight
of your pregnant uterus to rest on your back, intestines
and the two major blood vessels. A fair share of complications
may result in the mother because of this.
• Backaches and hemorrhoids worsen, digestion
becomes less efficient, breathing becomes difficult
and low blood pressure may occur
• If you rest on your back the large vein or
vena cava which transports blood from the lower body
to the heart will be affected.
• When resting on your back even for a short
while, prop up your upper body with pillows to reduce
the pressure on the vena cava. This is essential as
any interference with blood supply to the placenta
means nutrients and oxygen supply to the fetus will
be affected
The Best position..
• Side-lying positions with lots of pillows
for additional support and comfort are ideal.
• It is best to lie on your left side instead
of the right whenever possible so that baby receives
its nutrients uninterrupted.
• Cross one leg over the other with a pillow
in between is best for both mother and baby. This
position not only optimizes blood flow to the placenta
but also ensures smooth functioning of the kidneys.
• Efficient kidney function means better elimination
of fluids and this in turn reduces the chances of
odema (swelling of the ankles, feet, hands)
• Occasionally you may revert to sleeping on
your back or tummy because you are just not used to
your new position. No harm done here. Both positions
bring no harm to the fetus; the fetus is well cushioned
to suffer from any pressure on the maternal body
