Either the left or right side is fine,” Professor Gordon said. “After 28 weeks of pregnancy, lying on your back presses on major blood vessels which can reduce both the blood flow to the woman's womb and oxygen supply to the baby.”
Though some experts say it is best not to lie on the back from 20 weeks onward , a recent study found that back and right side sleeping. View Source during the first 30 weeks of pregnancy probably do not raise the risk of stillbirth.
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.
During the second and and third trimesters, sleeping on either side — preferably the left, if possible — is considered by some experts to be ideal for you and your baby-to-be.
Why Should You Avoid Sleeping on Your Right Side During the Third Trimester? Sleeping on your right side during the third trimester puts the weight of the uterus on your liver, and sleeping on your back can block the inferior vena cava and cut off blood flow.
Sleeping On Your Left Side
The result of venous compression is slowed blood return to the heart, and less blood circulation to the body, including the uterus. Because of the change in blood flow you may start to feel nauseous and light headed, like someone is choking you or like you are about to pass out.
Zanotti reassures expectant mothers not to stress if they accidentally find themselves on their backs for a brief spell. “We do know that short periods of time ― even if you were on your back for an hour or two ― probably do no harm to your child,” she says.
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.
Pressure point: Lying on the right side reduces pressure on the heart muscles by creating more space in the chest cavity. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports that people with congestive heart failure (CHF) felt more uncomfortable when sleeping on their left side.
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.
If you sleep on your right side, the pressure of your body smashes up against the blood vessels that return to your ticker, but “sleeping on your left side with your right side not squished is supposed to potentially increase blood flow back to your heart.” And anything you can do to help your most important organ pump ...
What Is the Best Second Trimester Sleeping Position? Left side sleeping is considered the best sleeping position for later pregnancy as it allows for unrestricted blood flow. View Source to the fetus and kidneys.
A leg pillow can keep your hips from twisting in the night. It can keep your knees neatly stacked on top of each other, preventing awkward spine curvature. This supports the natural alignment of your spine and reduces strain on your hips as you move in your sleep.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
Many women find that 34-36 weeks of pregnancy is an ideal time to start parental leave. So, if you want to start parental leave at 36 weeks, you need to tell your employer about your plans by the time you're 26 weeks pregnant.
For most pregnant women, at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week. Walking is a great exercise for beginners. It provides moderate aerobic conditioning with minimal stress on your joints.
Also, the AMA guidelines do not differentiate weight limits with regard to duration of exposure. Lifting more than 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted repetitively for the first half of pregnancy (up to Week 20) and intermittently through Week 30. Between Weeks 20 and 24, repetitive lifting up to 23 kg (51 lbs) is permitted.
Sleeping for more than nine hours per night, without disturbance, during pregnancy may be associated with late stillbirth, according to US researchers. Their study suggested that maternal sleep habits, including lengthy periods of sleep without waking more than once in the night, may be associated with foetal health.
Sleeping Propped Up
Nobody wants to sleep sitting up, but it might be the best way to get some shut-eye while you're pregnant, especially if sleeping on your back is your go-to position. For this sleep position, grab a few pillows and make sure the top part of your body is propped up.
Remember that wearing tight clothing during pregnancy is generally not recommended. Aside from feeling uncomfortable, constricting garments also can lead to a host of health issues, such as pain, reduced blood circulation, and even yeast infections.
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.
As the uterus grows to accommodate the fetus, the extra pressure put on the sciatic nerve by the uterus can cause radiating pain, numbness, and tingling in the hips, thighs, and buttocks.
The third trimester is a time to expect increasing insomnia and night waking. Most women wake up 3 to 5 times a night, usually because of such discomforts as back pain, needing to urinate, leg cramps, heartburn, and fetal movement. Strange dreams are also common in the last few weeks of pregnancy.