As your pregnancy progresses you will find it more and more difficult to get comfortable when you lie down. After your fifth month, your back is definitely not the best as the weight of the baby restricts blood flow and can cause stomach pain. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended either. When you lie face down, your abdomen presses on your expanding uterus — not to mention your enlarged breasts.
Sleeping on your side is the best option. It is safest for your baby plus, it’s more comfortable for you as your abdomen grows. Lying on your left side is preferred as it improves circulation, giving nutrient-packed blood an easier route from your heart to the placenta to nourish your baby. Lying on the left side also keeps your expanding body weight from pushing down too hard on your liver. While either side is okay, the left is best.
Here are a few other positioning tips to help you get more comfortable and protect your baby while you sleep during pregnancy:
- For more belly and back support: Prop a pillow under your tummy and between your knees. Positioning a pillow under your body can help keep you on your side, preventing you from rolling to your stomach or back.
- For shortness of breath: Put a pillow under your side to raise your chest.
- For heartburn: Prop up the head of the bed a few inches with books or blocks. This helps keep acids down in your stomach, rather than burning their way up your oesophagus.