How can pregnant women sleep in the third trimester. Which side to choose for sleeping during pregnancy

Life, after the appearance of two strips on the test, changes dramatically for every woman. Often, expectant mothers are worried about which side it is better to sleep on during pregnancy, because it becomes scary for the baby in the tummy. Let's find out how to do it correctly so as not to harm the baby and yourself.

When to change habits?

As you know, on which side to sleep during pregnancy, or rather, the position during sleep is a matter of habit that has developed over the years. But this can be changed if needed. You just need to understand that at the moment the habit of sleeping on your stomach or is an addiction that you need and can give up at least for a while.

The fact is that in the position lying on the stomach, the baby will sooner or later be uncomfortable. Mom may not feel that the child is experiencing discomfort. But doctors do not recommend such a dream from the very beginning of pregnancy. You can wean yourself from it gradually, replacing this position with a position lying on your side.

And you can sleep on your back until the middle or end of the second trimester. Mom will know for herself when it should stop. In this position, due to the weight of the grown-up baby and the heavy uterus, the large vena cava, located in the pelvic region, is compressed and the blood supply to the woman is sharply disturbed.

In addition, a sharp change in the well-being of a woman does not pass without a trace for the child either - the placenta stops receiving oxygen and the baby suffers. Although this is a short-term condition, it does not benefit the development of the fetus.

The longer the period, the more attention during the rest should be paid to the movements of the child. If he suddenly begins to move violently when the mother lay down to rest, this means that the baby is experiencing discomfort and asks the mother to change the position of the body.

Doctors' recommendations

Every doctor knows which side pregnant women can sleep on - it is correct to lay on the left side for sleep and rest during the day. Even when a woman constantly suffers from uterine tone, this position is recommended for her to relax her muscles as soon as possible.

So why the left and not the right side? After all, the heart is located on the left and it would be logical to assume that lying on it, there will be an unpleasant sensation in this muscular organ. But it turns out that the heart muscle does not suffer from the fact that a woman is in such a position. But the liver, which is located on the right, is just noticeably squeezed, the bile ducts are pinched, blood circulation in this organ is disturbed.

To make the expectant mother comfortable, you need to get small comfortable pads that can be placed under the lower back, tummy and between the knees for comfort. A big one can replace them.

Your tummy has already exceeded 19 weeks, you feel it not only during the day, when you have to walk and stand, but even at night, in a seemingly carefree lying position. What to do, the burden, though heavy, but pleasant. However, in order to get enough sleep on your own and keep the comfort of your bladder at any time of the day, you will have to sleep according to the rules.

The time for free poses is over

If during the night rest you are used to feel free: roll over from side to side, sleep on your back and stomach, then you can enjoy your freedom only in the first weeks of pregnancy. That is - in the first two months. And then your cute habits of sleeping on your stomach or back will have to be put aside, because your baby will wean you from them for a while.

You no longer practice sleeping in the “on your stomach” position. Weeks of commercials from the 12th. The very time when the uterus went beyond the pelvis and the tummy began to round. It's even good that he has acquired a rounded shape, which is not very comfortable for sleeping on his stomach - there is no temptation and no way to return to your favorite position.

On the back, according to doctors, you can sleep up to. But even during this period, from the 19th to the 24th, no one canceled the syndrome of compression of the vena cava. For those who do not know: the inferior vena cava is located along the spine and when it is squeezed, both the woman and the fetus may feel a lack of air. For the mother, this is fraught with tachycardia and dizziness, and for the baby there is a danger of hypoxia.

Choosing a comfortable posture

The most correct sleeping positions during pregnancy are on your side. Preferably - on the left, so as not to squeeze the kidney. In addition, sleeping on the left side is ideal for circulation. Blood in this position circulates freely and saturates the fetus with oxygen in the right amount.

And my mother, with this position, does not squeeze the liver and her back does not hurt early in the morning.

Have you tried reclining?

Of course, 19–24 weeks is not yet the time for it to even lie down. But if you can’t lie down in any way, something interferes with you all the time and creates discomfort, try to fall asleep reclining.

Put a pillow under your back, try to make the posture really “reclining” and not “sitting”. If you lie down incorrectly, the body will immediately “report” you about it.

In the “reclining” position, it will not be difficult for you to breathe, the diaphragm will not put pressure on the lungs, and the baby will receive his portion of oxygen and nutrients and will not make any claims to you in the middle of the night.

Why is the one that sleeps on the right wrong?

Sleeping on the right side is not recommended by all doctors, because this position can harm blood circulation. The uterus, loaded with a fetus that is already quite tangible in weight, presses on the arteries, blocking the full supply of oxygen and nutrients to the baby.

Naturally, it is impossible to lie on one side (right, left) all night and feel good. You can occasionally roll over, but try to get as little sleep on the right as possible.

Pillows - lifesaver

With you can already fully exploit the various forms of pillows. At this time, they will play the role of aids in finding a comfortable sleeping position during pregnancy.

Long and horseshoe-shaped, pillows will help you out if you need to carefully attach your tummy, put your feet on something or put something under your back.

If for some reason you didn’t get a factory pillow, then you can use a soft toy as it or create it yourself.

The parameters are as follows: 150 -180 cm in length and 30–50 in girth. And the design is made of cotton of the most cheerful and cheerful colors. Then your pillow will also be an antidepressant.

Sleep is very important for a person, especially for pregnant women. After all, the healthy development of the fetus will depend on how much better a woman will feel in a position. During pregnancy, the female body is constantly faced with increased stress. will help restore strength. However, expectant mothers should know how to sleep properly in order to get a charge of vivacity and energy for the whole day.

It is sometimes difficult for a woman in position to fall asleep, and then get a “quality” sleep. The reason for this discomfort is the difficulty in choosing a position for sleeping. Any person has his favorite postures that help him sleep soundly and calmly.

If a woman is in position, it will be useful for her to know which position is best to choose in order to easily fall asleep without harming the unborn baby. Some pregnant women will have to give up their favorite body position for a while. It is necessary to give preference to safe positions that will not harm the health of the unborn child and the mother herself.

Preferred Options

For a pregnant woman, the best position is when her body lies on her left side. It is this position that will not interfere with natural blood circulation, and the fetus will not compress the liver. This is the only way to avoid back pain.

At night, during short awakenings, doctors advise changing the position of the body. Turn over from one side to the other 3-4 times a night. In addition, you need to know not only about comfortable positions, but also how to get out of bed correctly. First of all, you need to turn first on your side, then slowly sit down. Such an action will save the expectant mother from unwanted uterine tone (which can lead to an increase in the likelihood of miscarriage).

It is allowed not only to lie on the left side - you can also lean back a little, leaning on the spine. For this purpose, you need to put a thick roller rolled up from a blanket behind. You can spread your legs without bending them too much at the knees, put a special sofa cushion between them. All these actions will help to relax and.

What positions are prohibited

Up to three months, pregnant women are allowed to sleep in their favorite positions. However, over time, you will have to rebuild in a safer position. Some postures will have to be forgotten for the duration of the gestation.

This is especially true for the 3rd trimester. This is due to the fact that during this period it is strictly forbidden to sleep lying on your stomach or back, because:

• baby has grown noticeably
• the uterus compresses the intestines with the lower back,
• occludes a vein from the system that supplies blood to the lower body.

In addition, due to the incorrect position of the body during sleep, a pregnant woman may then experience dizziness, heart palpitations, and respiratory problems will appear. Due to the lack of oxygen, the unborn baby will begin to kick and push hard. That's why mom needs to know how to sleep properly during pregnancy.

Many experts and accomplished mothers give a lot of different advice on how to sleep properly for the child and herself. First of all, before going to bed, it is advisable to ventilate the room. This will ensure a good rest.

Sleeping in such a cool room, wrapped in a warm blanket, will be pleasant and easy. For those women who follow such advice, it will be easy to fall asleep, since their fetus will constantly receive plenty of oxygen, this will lead to a general recovery of both organisms. Before going to bed, it is also advisable to check the night pajamas, whether they fit comfortably. Wish it was a few sizes larger. There are times when women develop insomnia for this very reason.

During rest, you need to use an elastic pillow so that the head does not fall through, discomfort does not appear. Similar products can be purchased at the store for expectant mothers. Each woman can choose a model that will meet her taste requirements. Today, a diverse range of products is sold in stores: body pillow, mother pillow, U-shaped and wedge-shaped pillows. All of them differ in filler, size, colors. These products are used to support the abdomen and back, relieve stress on the legs.

To get a full and healthy sleep, you must also carry out a daily “relaxation” procedure. Sleeping after the “relaxation” ritual will become much more pleasant. You should do the following exercise to help relax the body: lie on your back, close your eyes tightly, and just focus on breathing. Then you need to stretch your neck, pressing your chin to your chest, and at the same time lower your shoulders. To feel your breath, you need to put your palms on the lower abdomen. Such an easy exercise can be performed throughout the entire period of pregnancy.

Before falling asleep, it is recommended to take a soothing shower. To ensure a good rest, a pregnant woman should adhere to the correct daily routine. It is not allowed to eat and drink a lot 3 hours before bedtime. However, if a woman is constantly tormented by evening toxicosis, it is useful for her to drink a cup of herbal tea an hour before bedtime and eat a couple of crackers. Any active physical movements before going to bed are prohibited, but you can take a walk on the street.

To avoid cramps in the legs at night, you should perform a massage before going to bed. Having made tingling, the muscles of the legs. If a woman is worried about fears or is worried about something, she needs to consult a specialist. The doctor will give useful recommendations so that the nightly rest of the expectant mother becomes calm.

So, healthy sleep is the key to the correct course of pregnancy, as well as normal childbirth. Insomnia can cause various complications, chronic fatigue, which will ultimately negatively affect childbirth, disrupt the health of mother and child.

Expectant mothers every hour have to think about how not to do something contraindicated and not harm the child. And this applies not only to nutrition and bad habits, but also to sleep. In the first months, problems with rash in most cases do not occur, however, from the middle of the second trimester, mothers already seriously need to think about what position to sleep in when pregnant, and it is nighttime rest that is the key to recuperation.

Can you sleep on your stomach

Each person has his own comfortable sleeping position, with the change of which problems with rash begin, followed by headaches, nervous breakdowns, etc. It is difficult to avoid such consequences, especially for expectant mothers, which is why you should get used to sleeping on your side from early pregnancy.

Every day the load on the body increases, which increases the need for long rest and sleep. From the second trimester, many women suffer from nausea and increased headaches, irritability appears, which is also caused by the fact that the mother is not sure whether it is possible for pregnant women to sleep on their stomach, if until now it was their favorite position.

This question has two sides of the coin: on the one hand, you can give an affirmative answer "Yes", on the other - "No". The fact is that in the early stages, sleeping on the stomach does not cause the slightest harm to the fetus, since the uterus is not yet large enough and is protected by the pubic bone. In the first trimester, the baby is securely hidden in the womb, regardless of the sleeping position.

However, to the question of whether it is possible for pregnant women to sleep on their stomachs at a later date, the unequivocal answer is: “No way!” Starting from the 4th month, the sleeping position urgently needs to be changed, otherwise the risk of harm to the child is extremely high. It is not easy to get rid of such a night habit, but mothers should go for it for the sake of the health of their unborn child. However, from the third trimester, lying on your stomach will not work anyway, because the baby is already quite large.

Can you sleep on your back

Similarly with the pose on the stomach, it is not recommended to sleep on the back for mothers with gestations of more than 12 weeks. The fact is that the uterus increases day by day in direct proportion to the growth of the child. In the supine position, the fetus begins to press hard on the spine and intestines of the mother, but the main thing is that it is very likely to squeeze the vena cava, which is responsible for blood circulation and oxygen supply to the child.

From the 28th week, pregnant women are strictly forbidden to sleep on their backs, otherwise women may experience severe dizziness, passing into fainting, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, low blood pressure. By this time, the baby himself will begin to give alarm signals that he does not have enough oxygen. Therefore, if, when the pregnant woman is lying on her back, the child begins to push hard, you urgently need to roll over on some side.

There are cases when, in the early stages, in the supine position, severe pressing pains begin in pregnant women. In such cases, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist.

Which side is better to sleep on

Until the last trimester of pregnancy, you can lie on your side and half-side without fear. With the onset of the 28th week, sleep and rest are strongly recommended only on the side. The main benefit of this position is that the fetus does not compress the main vein, thereby not limiting blood flow to the heart.

By and large, there is no difference in which side to sleep on during pregnancy. But doctors advise spending more time on the left. In this position, blood flow to the uterus is much higher, therefore, the fetus receives more nutrients and oxygen, which is vital for its normal development. On the other hand, lying on one side for a long time is also contraindicated, since pressure on the internal organs of the mother may soon make itself felt.

You need to roll over only through the back. On average, it is recommended to change the position 3-4 times per night.

Many doctors prescribe for mothers with an incorrect position of the fetus to prophylactically spend more time on their side, where the baby's head is located.

How to choose the right pose

Along with nutrition and vitamins, proper sleep is extremely important for expectant mothers. A comfortable position has always helped to fall asleep faster and sleep better, but with the approach of childbirth, pregnant women need to make some sacrifices. During the first trimester, there are no restrictions on night rest. But starting from the 12th week, there is a risk for the baby when sleeping in some comfortable positions. Firstly, it is no longer possible to sleep on your back, since the fetus is heavy enough to pass the vena cava and create health problems for yourself and your mother. Can pregnant women sleep on their stomach from the second trimester? It is also forbidden because the mother's weight can put a lot of pressure on the baby.

Therefore, from 3-4 months of pregnancy, you should choose a more comfortable position for yourself, based on the remaining options.

Beneficial postures for sleeping

The most comfortable and beneficial posture for the fetus to rest and sleep at any time is lying on the left side, bending the right leg and putting it on the pillow. So blood circulation noticeably improves, there is no swelling of the limbs, the kidneys, liver and heart are fully functioning. In addition, this position will not leave severe back pain in the morning and is comfortable for the baby. In the early stages, you can not put a pillow under your leg, but pregnant women with huge bellies are required to do this.

If the child is located with his head on the right, then you need to focus on a similar position on the right side.

You should not be in one position all night - it is harmful to the fetus. But turning a lot is also harmful (3-5 times a night is enough).

1. In no case should you take sleeping pills during pregnancy.

2. You can not drink carbonated water and tea at night, as well as eat a lot.

3. Can pregnant women sleep on their stomach and back? Only during the first trimester.

4. Before going to bed, any physical exercises and activities are prohibited, except for walking in the fresh air.

5. It is extremely important to stick to the chosen sleep pattern.

6. To avoid cramps, you should do a relaxing foot massage.

7. It is important to avoid drafts, even if the heat is unbearable.

8. In the last months of pregnancy, while falling asleep, it is recommended to stroke the stomach so that the baby calms down and also gets ready for bed.

Sooner or later, one way or another, but every expectant mother is faced with the question of how to sleep during pregnancy. Sleep positions familiar in everyday life at a certain stage of pregnancy become unacceptable for women. Sleep is already disturbed after hormonal changes in the body, and there are also significant changes in the figure of the expectant mother.

How to sleep during pregnancy?

Constant sleepiness during pregnancy is not uncommon. Only towards the end of gestation may there be problems with sleep. A big belly no longer allows you to find a comfortable position, and in your head there are various anxieties and thoughts about the upcoming birth. At night, insomnia occurs, and during the day because of this, it strongly induces sleep. And if there is no need to fight drowsiness, then insomnia can and should be fought. So, for example, for many pregnant women, for quality and good sleep, they help: - a walk before going to bed in the fresh air, - an open window in winter or even a balcony door in summer at night, - taking a soothing bath before going to bed, - drinking mint tea at night or warm milk with a small amount of honey - the correct daily routine and nutrition.

Sleep positions during pregnancy

So, in the first trimester, a pregnant woman can afford to sleep in absolutely any position - in the one she is used to and which is the most comfortable for her. However, if a woman already knows about her pregnancy, then it is worth slowly accustoming yourself to fall asleep in other positions recommended for subsequent periods.

As soon as the stomach becomes noticeable (for someone this happens already at the thirteenth week, for someone at the twentieth, and for someone at all at the twenty-fifth), sleeping on the stomach will no longer work - once, and it will no longer be possible - two.

Sleeping on your back is still physically possible, but from the twenty-eighth week is undesirable for a woman and a child for all medical reasons.

Two poses remain - on the right side and on the left. With a transverse presentation, doctors usually advise sleeping on the side where the baby's head is located. In theory, sleeping on the left side is more favorable for both the health of the mother and the health of the child. However, few people can sleep all night in one position, this is impossible, but not necessary. Therefore, any doctor will recommend that his patient change positions for sleeping three to five times a night: from one side to another. This is also acceptable with a breech presentation of the fetus.

How should and can a pregnant woman sleep: on her stomach or on her back?

As already mentioned, in the first trimester there are no restrictions on the sleeping position for pregnant women. The expectant mother can sleep both on her stomach and on her back, i.e. the way she feels most comfortable.

In the second trimester, a pregnant woman is already recommended to sleep on her left side, but she can still sleep on her back. But sleeping on the stomach is unlikely to succeed - it will be an uncomfortable position for the mother due to the protruding tummy, and an unhealthy position for the health of the baby and the pregnant woman herself.

In the third trimester, doctors categorically do not recommend sleeping either on the stomach or on the back. It can even be dangerous for the fetus and lead to negative consequences.

Can pregnant women sleep on their stomach?

As long as the tummy does not protrude and does not interfere with sleep, the expectant mother can willingly indulge in Morpheus in the “on the stomach” position. However, as soon as it begins to grow, and the fetus develops quickly enough, it is better to change this habit. It is worth choosing a different position for sleeping, because. despite the protective amniotic fluid for the baby, there is a risk of injuring the baby. And, in the end, it becomes just uncomfortable.

Can pregnant women sleep on their backs?

You can sleep on your back for a long time, but from the second trimester it is no longer very useful, and from the third it is categorically harmful. The constantly growing uterus and the equally rapidly growing fetus put more and more pressure on the intestines, the lumbar spine, and the vena cava of the pregnant woman. And this can lead to problems such as impaired blood circulation and insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus. In this regard, the following problems may arise:

• frequent dizziness and fainting;
• labored breathing
• palpitations, tachycardia and arrhythmias
• pressure drop
• exacerbation of hemorrhoids
• impaired blood circulation in the kidneys and placenta.

Often in such cases, the baby himself signals to his mother that he is uncomfortable and lacks oxygen - he begins to actively push. If you roll over on your side, he immediately calms down.

What is the most comfortable and beneficial sleeping position during pregnancy?

So, it has long been proven that the most comfortable and beneficial position for sleeping during pregnancy is on the left side, the right leg is bent at the knee and lies on the pillow.

It is in this position:

• blood flow to the placenta improves (which means that the child also receives enough oxygen for its development);
• kidneys work well (which is especially important in recent months);
• swelling of the legs and arms decreases;
• no pressure on the liver;
• do not hurt the back and pelvic area;
• optimal work of the mother's heart is maintained.

In the case of a transverse presentation, in which the baby's head is located on the right side, doctors recommend sleeping on the right side to help the child take the correct position in the future.

Pillows of different sizes also help to create a comfortable sleeping position. You can experiment with them: put them under the stomach, under the leg, between the legs, under the lower back - it all depends on the choice of the expectant mother.

The main thing is that a woman can gain strength and relax in a dream, because she has a birth ahead, which takes a lot of strength and energy. And after giving birth, few of the mothers manage to forget themselves with a strong long sleep: after all, there is already a baby who requires constant care, and even late at night.

• If you are worried about insomnia, in no case do not use sleeping pills (only a doctor can prescribe them, and then only in extreme cases). Remember that any drug affects not only you, but also your unborn baby.
• Do not drink drinks containing caffeine at night. During pregnancy, it is necessary to refuse or significantly reduce the consumption of carbonated water, coffee, strong tea.
• Try not to drink a lot of fluids and do not overeat 2-3 hours before bedtime. If you suffer from evening or nighttime morning sickness, you can eat a few crackers or drink a glass of yogurt.
• Before going to bed, you can go out for a breath of fresh air, however, in no case should you engage in active physical activity.
• Try to establish a clear sleep schedule: go to sleep and wake up at approximately the same time.
• If you wake up from leg cramps, you need to stand up and stand for a while, and then do a pinch-relaxing massage. Cramping is a sign of calcium deficiency in the body. Increase your dietary intake of foods containing this micronutrient.
• If fear and anxiety about childbirth interfere with sleep, attend prenatal courses, talk with friends who have already given birth, watch good films. The acquired knowledge and pleasant conversations will help you not to be afraid, which means that you can sleep sweetly at night.

And remember, no matter what position you choose, if your blanket is too light in winter and too hot in summer, if you sleep less than 8 hours, if you watch horror at night or have a big fight with your husband, you are unlikely to be able to fall asleep and sleep soundly healthy sleep. Take care of your sleep and appreciate every hour of it.