Whether you are taking a quick nap on the couch or going to bed at night, sleeping on your side is best. Lying on your back puts pressure on major blood vessels. This can reduce the flow of blood to your uterus, and restrict your baby's oxygen supply.
“As long as you're not flat on your back, you're going to be fine,” she says. “Even if you can be on a 20- to 30-degree angle, that's going to relieve any potential pressure on your inferior vena cava.
Back sleeping is no longer safe after 28 weeks gestation, but there are a few other comfortable positions for you to safely doze in.
Some doctors recommend that pregnant women lie on their left side in the third trimester to allow for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus and kidneys. Because your liver is on the right side of your body, lying on the left side also helps keep the uterus from pressing on that large organ.
When lying on your back, that added weight can put pressure on your inferior vena cava, a major vein leading back to your heart. That has the potential to partially disrupt blood flow, and that's why it's advised to avoid lying on your back for extended periods of time.
Research has shown that in the third trimester (after 28 weeks of pregnancy) going to sleep on your back increases your risk of stillbirth. As the link has now been shown in four separate research trials, our advice is to go to sleep on your side in the third trimester because it is safer for your baby.
Stomach sleeping may be fine for the first part of the second trimester, until the growing baby bump makes this position uncomfortable. Starting around week 16, you should try to avoid sleeping on your back.
There is no safety concern if one chooses to sit cross-legged, especially if they have been doing it all their life. With an absolutely healthy pregnancy and no bleeding and spotting, a woman can definitely sit in this position,” said Dr Jammi.
It's best to avoid lying on your back, especially in late pregnancy, when the weight of the heavy uterus can press on the large blood vessels in your belly. When lying on your side, keep your body in line, with your knees bent slightly, and avoid twisting.
Lying on your back is not recommended because of pressure on the inferior vena cava. That is a major vein that returns blood from the lower body to the heart. The increased pressure on the back and intestines can also cause discomfort. The best sleeping position during pregnancy is on your side.
Background. Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there's no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.
Most experts agree that once the abdomen starts to expand, it is best to sleep on the left side with knees bent. Not only is side sleeping more comfortable, it also helps improve blood flow for the pregnant person and the fetus.
Some women may prefer to give up the bed entirely, and instead sleep in a reclining chair. "That's perfectly acceptable," Santa-Donato says.
eat healthily and avoid rich, spicy and fatty foods. cut back on drinks with caffeine (such as tea, coffee and energy drinks) sit up straight when you eat. give up alcohol and cigarettes.
But it's important to be aware of symptoms of overexertion in pregnancy and make sure you aren't overdoing it. Overheating is one risk, and symptoms like dizziness, a headache, or chest pain while working out can signal a health problem or pregnancy complication.
Try your best to avoid sitting cross legged especially during pregnancy! This can create an imbalance with the joints and ligaments that hold and grow with your uterus. As your baby grows you want as much even space as possible to allow for optimal positioning for birth as well.
Leaning forward too often during pregnancy will not affect your birth outcomes. And there is no evidence to suggest that bending over or leaning forward during pregnancy can cause miscarriage.
Yup, your baby on board can feel — and respond — when you stroke your tummy.
Insomnia in early pregnancy
Early pregnancy insomnia is primarily caused by the shift in hormones and the symptoms women experience as a result, such as nausea, vomiting and increased urination. All of this disrupts the body's regular sleep and wake cycles, Mustaleski says.
Your nausea and vomiting may be worse than ever: Morning sickness peaks around 9 or 10 weeks of pregnancy for many women. That's when levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are highest (morning sickness is thought to be linked to rises in hCG and estrogen).
Pregnant women carrying girls have a greater chance of experiencing nausea and fatigue, according to the results of a study from the USA's Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.