It’s very surprising how much changes when you’re pregnant; not a lot of people really think about it but something as simple as the way you sleep can change up your whole routine and it often leaves pregnant women very tired and restless whenever they want to sleep.
That’s why we thought it was best to give you some advice for sleeping during your pregnancy. Everyone is different and what may work for you, might not for someone else so it is always worth trying out all the different pieces of advice we have!
When you’re pregnant, sleeping can often become a chore that you don’t really want to do. You may feel tired all the time, but you don’t actually want to lie down and sleep as it is just very uncomfortable. Don’t worry; you’re not alone in this.
Most other pregnant women go through the same situations and it’s actually very surprising how much women can come to hate sleeping while they are pregnant, especially the further along in their pregnancy they are. However, there are certain positions you should try and others you should definitely avoid.
Why Can’t I Sleep Normally?
One of the main reasons you won’t be able to sleep as you normally would is because you’re growing a tiny human inside of your body and often, our bodies are unfamiliar with the concept. You will find sleeping very unnatural at the beginning of your pregnancy as the bump gets bigger; however, you will find that your body starts to get used to having the bump there. You most likely can’t sleep normally because most normal sleeping positions are uncomfortable when you have a bigger bump, or some can even be dangerous for both you and the baby.
You’re most likely very uncomfortable if you try to sleep in your normal sleeping position as it can cause back pain, heartburn, shortness of breath, and even insomnia.
Don’t try to be alarmed if you can sleep in your normal positions one night and then the next your bump has grown a little more and you can’t! It is very normal to have to change the way you sleep and there are ideal positions to try.
The Best Sleeping Position
The most common and safest position to sleep in while you’re pregnant is to sleep on your side; the best side is thought to be the left side as it helps to increase blood flow and ensure all the right nutrients are getting to the baby when it needs them. Research suggests that pregnant women should also keep their legs and knees slightly bent and keep a small pillow between their thighs.
By sleeping on your side, you will reduce the risk of back pain as well as an uncomfortable sleep. There are also other things you can do if you’re still experiencing uncomfortableness when you’re sleeping on your side. Use pillows around your abdomen if you find you’re suffering from back pain or prop up your upper body with multiple pillows if you’re experiencing heartburn or shortness of breath (this mostly happens during the end of your pregnancy). If you are used to sleeping on your back, then it might take a while to get used to sleeping on your side; just remember though that it isn’t forever and it’s all in the best interests of your baby.
Sleeping Positions to Avoid
Sleeping on your stomach – although it might seem obvious to some, sleeping on your stomach (especially during the later stages of pregnancy) can be very dangerous. Your abdomen undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy and it never gets used to the fact that there is a baby in there so it’s always best to avoid squeezing and squashing some of your organs by sleeping on your stomach.
Sleeping on your back – as much as this may seem like the best thing to do, it isn’t. there has been a lot of research into sleeping positions for pregnant women and one of the biggest no’s is to sleep on your back. It can cause a lot of problems such as slow breathing, low blood pressure, and even hemorrhoids. If you sleep on your back there is a chance that you will leave your abdomen resting on some of your major blood vessels and intestines which isn’t good for your body.
Sleeping sitting up – although everything will be able to function properly, it isn’t very comfortable to be sleeping while sitting up straight in bed and you have to remember that your pregnancy goes on for 9 months (nearly 10!) so you want to make sure you’re getting the best possible sleep and you don’t feel tired all the time.