sleeping positions

As your belly grows bigger and bigger, you may find it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Here are some suggestions for sleeping positions during pregnancy. 

Recommended sleeping position:

The best sleeping position during the last couple of months is on your left side. Lying on your left side has many advantages. These advantages include: better digestive functioning, better breathing, baby gets more oxygen, and less swelling of hands, feet and legs.

Laying on your back during the last couple of months:

During the last months of pregnancy, sleeping on your back may feel very uncomfortable. It may cause backaches and make you feel like you can not breathe. This is due to the baby putting a lot of pressure on the back and inferior vena cava (vein that returns blood from the lower body back to the heart). Lying on your back can also make hemorrhoids worse and cause hypo-tension (low blood pressure).

For some women, lying on their back is the most comfortable position. Many doctors and books warn women about lying on their backs during the last months because it can reduce the flow of oxygen to the baby. So, if possible try to lie on your left side.

Products you can buy to help sleeping positions:

• Pregnancy pillow (to put in between legs while laying on side)

• Pregnancy cut out pillow (has belly cutout to allow sleeping on stomach)

• Contour pregnancy pillow (supports belly while laying on side)