Sleeping position

[lil_momma]

Hi! Is there any suggested sleeping position for pregnant mums that would not affect blood circulation for the baby? (Aside from NOT lying on your tummy, of course.) Because I know being pregnant means having to consider sleeping positions when sleeping. Thanks!

[mom2many]

Hello lil momma!

Sleeping on your left side during pregnancy is said to benefit the baby by improving blood circulation. Of course, getting sleep is important to, and you shouldn't feel too bad if side sleeping just doesn't work for you, especially early in pregnancy when it is less likely to be a problem.

For more about sleeping comfortably during pregnancy, read this older thread on sleeping comfortably whilst pregnant. =)

[lil_momma]

Thank you for the sharing an answer and a helpful link! I'll keep the info in mind.

[ljmarsden]

Hi lil_momma,

This is an interesting topic - thank you for posting it.

As mom2many says, sleeping on your left side is preferable as it increases the blood flow to the placenta; this means that the nutrients going to the placenta are also increased. It's actually sleeping on your back which is the worse position to sleep in when you are pregnant as the uterus pushes down on the spine and can reduce the blood flow to the baby. Laying on your back can also make some mums-to-be dizzy.

I hope this helps,

Best wishes,

LJ

[5Homebirths4Kate]

For many mums, it's all about finding that comfortable sleeping position that makes it possible to get some uninterrupted sleep later in pregnancy. Here's a great videos that shows an idea on just how to do this.