Sleeping posture during pregnancy

Posted By Dr. Deepti Asthana on 03-11-2021

Sleep is when your body refreshes and repairs itself. It is the time when your brain creates memories, making it an ally in your fight against baby brain. It's how your blood vessels repair themselves, which is particularly crucial now when they're under stress from the additional blood flow necessary to sustain your baby.

Sleep also helps to maintain the health of your immune system, which has been repressed to support your pregnancy. In addition, sleep influences how your body responds to insulin; not receiving enough leads in a higher blood sugar level, increasing your risk of gestational diabetes.Book your appointment for pregnancy with Dr. Deepti Asthana one of the Best pregnancy doctors in fortis Gurgaon.

What is the ideal sleeping posture during pregnancy?

Experts have generally recommended sleeping on your left side while pregnant, however sleeping on your right side is also totally appropriate. For obvious reasons, lying on your stomach becomes difficult after the first trimester.

Many experts also advise against sleeping flat on your back all night (but don't panic if you flip over and wake up that way).

However, some doctors now believe that pregnant women should sleep in whichever posture is most comfortable for them rather than worrying too much about it.

Pregnancy sleeping positions

Sleeping Suggestions for Each Trimester Throughout Pregnancy

It is critical to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every night when pregnant. Although getting a good night's sleep is vital regardless of gender or age, sleeping when pregnant takes on additional meaning owing to the body's physiological and psychological changes during pregnancy. These alterations may result in a variety of discomforts, including:

Pregnancy symptoms may also prevent you from obtaining enough sleep and may lead to sleep problems , which have been linked to elevated risks for pregnant women in their third trimester. Sleep may become more difficult to get as your body changes with each trimester of pregnancy. You may, however, recapture some cherished rest and relaxation by following these basic suggestions for each trimester.

First Trimester: Sleeping during the first trimester of pregnancy has its own set of issues, including high levels of progesterone, which may cause a need for serious shut-eye during the day while disrupting your sleep at night. You may also struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position owing to sore and swollen breasts, acid reflux, and the surge of hormones striving to help incubate your baby, which may cause you to feel hot.

Try the following suggestions to assist adjust for these conditions:

If your schedule allows, take a nap throughout the day.

At this period, try sleeping on your side, particularly if you are a stomach sleeper. Wear cooler sleepwear and keep the temperature in your bedroom lower.

Second Trimester: Sleep may be easier to come by during the second trimester of pregnancy, providing you a break. This reprieve is frequently due to the onset of morning sickness. Although you may not be experiencing the persistent sensations you had throughout the first trimester, your back may now begin to hurt. If this is the case, avoid sleeping on your stomach or back, which may aggravate back discomfort and put pressure on the main vein that transports blood from your lower body to your heart.

You may wish to use the relatively peaceful second trimester to establish some good sleep habits, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time every day and listening to relaxing music before bed. Adopting habits now will benefit you in your third trimester, when getting enough sleep is more difficult.

Extra pillows may also help relieve back discomfort by keeping your spine straight - try putting one between your knees and another between your stomach and back. If you don't have additional pillows at home, you may want to consider buying pregnant pillows to aid with pregnancy-related discomforts.

Common physical symptoms that may interfere with sleep during the second trimester include:

Third Trimester: You're nearing the end of your pregnancy, yet getting a normal quantity of sleep throughout the third trimester might seem like a useless exercise. Heartburn, frequent toilet visits, and your shifting physique might aggravate the condition. Pregnancy also raises the risk of respiratory issues such as obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.

Here are some suggestions to help you sleep better throughout your third trimester:

If you're still having difficulties sleeping throughout the third trimester, don't worry too much - sleep problems are typical in the last weeks of pregnancy and won't harm your baby. A lack of sleep, on the other hand, might prolong labour and increase the risk of a Cesarean section birth. If you're having trouble getting enough sleep at night during your third trimester, consider sleeping during the day if you can.

Tips on comfortable pregnancy sleeping positions

You're not accustomed to laying on your side. Or have you always been a side sleeper, but you can't seem to get any sleep now that you're expecting? Here are a few pointers to help you overcome pregnant sleep issues and feel comfortable sleeping on your side:

For any pregnancy related issues, you can meet the best obstetrician in Gurugram, Dr Deepti Asthana. She is senior Consultant in Fortis Memorial Research institute, Gurugram and director of KALOSA CLINICs.

She is highly experienced, well educated and a brilliant surgeon.She is a friend to her patients and makes sure their 9 months journey is passed with happiness. She has rich experience of more than 15 years and that makes her an excellent and confident obstetrician. Her approach to patients is simple and filled with love and care.

If you want a hassle free pregnancy journey, please visit Dr Deepti Asthana in Kalosa Clinic or Fortis hospital, gurugram.