Sleeping position in pregnancy

Kins Morris Thu 03-Nov-22 07:11:22

Pregnancy changes your body and your sleep is not left out. Many expectant mothers feel so much discomfort at bedtime because they feel robbed of their usual sleep positions and patterns. The reasons for your discomfort may include the increased size of your abdomen, back pain, heartburn, shortness of breath and insomnia.


The best and recommended sleep position during pregnancy is to sleep on your side, preferably your left side. Sleeping on your left side will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby. Keep your legs and knees bent, and put a pillow between your legs. As much as possible, avoid sleeping on your back as this causes backaches, low blood pressure, haemorrhoids and reduces blood supply to your heart and ultimately to your baby. Also, avoid sleeping on your abdomen that is lying prone in bed. This even becomes very difficult as the pregnancy advances.


Lying on your side can also help relieve you of back pain. Keep a pillow beneath your abdomen while lying on your side and see the magic happen. If you are experiencing heartburn during the night, you may want to try propping your upper body with pillows. Lying on your side or propped up with pillows will help you breathe better in late pregnancy where shortness of breath is almost inevitable.


Take care to alternate lying on your left side with lying on your right side. This will help you feel more comfortable as the weight is transferred from one side to another. You also need more pillows in pregnancy as you must have read above.

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