Best Sleeping Positions For Pregnant Women

While pregnancy is an incredible experience, it comes with its fair share of problems and pains. Sometimes, sleepless nights are one of them. Good sleep is necessary for healthy living and it becomes even more important for pregnant women. As women progress into pregnancy, their belly grows, and they struggle to find an appropriate sleeping position. This is often followed by sleepless nights and its after-effects which infiltrate every other aspect of life, contributing to stress. Other prominent issues like heartburn, backaches, swollen feet, and growing anxiety can also lead to restless nights and inadequate sleep.

As the foetus in the womb grows, changing positions becomes more difficult and some sleeping postures are likely to place pressure on sensitive points or cause pain. These sleep disturbances are not only annoying, but they can be detrimental to the health and welfare of both mother and baby. Therefore, choosing the right sleeping position during pregnancy must not be something you neglect. 

What is the Ideal Sleeping Position for pregnant women? 

A pregnant woman might find it difficult to sleep properly. There are many different sleeping positions. Side sleeping is one of them but experts suggest that it is one of the best positions. Here's what makes it ideal. 

• Improved Sleep: Sleeping in a good position guarantees that you will wake up refreshed, giving your overall health and energy throughout the pregnancy
• Improved Blood Circulation: Sleeping on the left side promotes blood flow throughout the body. This ensures that the placenta and the baby are getting an adequate supply of nutrients as well. 
• Decreased Swelling: You will observe that swelling in your legs and feet will reduce to a greater extent if you adopt a good sleeping position. It occurs due to increased circulation from having your head slightly elevated. 
• Reduced Back Pain: Pregnant women must sleep in positions that keep their spine in place, providing needed support. This enhances your spinal health and makes you less prone to terrible back aches. 
• Reduced Pressure: This sleeping position prevents the uterus from putting stress on the liver and encourages proper circulation.
• Reduced Acid Reflux and Heartburn: If you are prone to acid reflux or heartburn, sleeping on your left side can help keep stomach acids away from the oesophagus.
• Unrestricted Breathing: The appropriate sleeping posture can aid in preventing problems such as sleep apnea by not putting pressure on the lungs or diaphragm. 

Tips for Side Sleeping 

As a pregnant woman, your sleep matters the most. A good sleeping position ensures that you get the proper rest without an ounce of discomfort and pain. Everyone is different so what might be ideal for a would-be-mom might not be comfortable for other pregnant women. You should sleep in whatever way you find comfortable the most. As side sleeping is recommended, here are some tips to sleep properly: 

• Use a pregnancy pillow, it will support your back, belly and knees. 
• Keeping your knees bent reduces pressure on your back making you sleep comfortably. 
• A wedge pillow can be kept under you to prevent you from rolling onto your back or stomach while supporting you. 
• Using a supportive mattress helps you get comfortable during sleep, it helps in relieving pain too. 
• Sleep on breathable mattresses and pillows while keeping your room properly ventilated to remove humidity. 

Sleeping Positions You Should Avoid 

There are sleeping positions that can cause discomfort to both the mother and her baby. Although you can sleep in any position you feel comfortable the most, it is still essential to know which positions to avoid as they can have negative effects on health

• Sleeping on Your Back:

• Sleeping on Your Stomach: 

With a protruding belly, it can cause physical discomfort.
It results in unnecessary pressure on the baby and uterus.
It can lead to musculoskeletal strains.

• Sleeping in a Semi-Reclining Position:

Most people try to sleep in this position. But you can face trouble breathing as there is added pressure on the diaphragm.
It may result in aggravated symptoms of acid reflux disease and heartburn.
It also causes bad spinal alignment resulting in neck and backaches.

Pillows and Pregnancy 

Sleeping positions keep on changing but what stays constant is a good pillow and mattress, that ensures that you keep maintaining the right position throughout your sleep. You will find pregnancy pillows solely designed to fit a pregnant woman's body, keeping it supported throughout the night. 

During pregnancy, women constantly suffer from body aches in various parts like the neck, shoulders, back, hips and legs. To reduce the pain, our Body Pillow can be the best option. 

Advantages of sleeping on a pillow during pregnancy: 

• It provides comfort to the body by providing support and reducing discomfort. 

• A good pillow allows you to rest adequately by supporting your body portions, getting you the proper respite your body deserves. 

• It provides proper alignment. The neck is well aligned with the spine and hips reducing any chance of strain or pain. 

• The design of the pregnancy pillows allows the pillow to gently support the growing belly reducing pressure on it and relieving any discomfort you might feel during sleeping. 

• The pillow enhances blood circulation throughout the body by encouraging side sleeping.

Thomsen is a brand that focuses on comfort the most and that is why it proves to be the best when it comes to sleeping. OEKO-TEX-certified Talalay Latex pillows and mattresses from Thomsen are what make sleeping a bliss. With proper support to the back, neck and head they help in lessening aches and uneasiness. A good sleeping position requires a good pillow that helps you sleep correctly throughout the night. Choose the one you find the best and if you feel doubt about your sleeping position, consult a doctor for further guidance.