Sleeping Positions to be Avoided during pregnancy

Sleeping position during pregnancy affects the health of mother and the baby both so it is important to avoid improper posture for sleeping during pregnancy. This article also describes about the preferred sleeping positions to follow during various stages of pregnancy.Ruma feels restless throughout night and she is in her first trimester of pregnancy. Ruma understands how important sleep is for her and her baby both but she is not sure about the sleeping posture she should follow so that her baby is safe and she can enjoy comfortable sleep. In this articleWhy Getting Sound Sleep is a Problem during Pregnancy?Sleeping Positions during First TrimesterAvoid Sleeping on Back during PregnancyAvoid Sleeping on Stomach during PregnancyWhy Sleeping on the Left Side is Good during Pregnancy?Why Getting Sound Sleep is a Problem during Pregnancy?Every pregnant woman has to face sleep problem as her pregnancy advances. With time, the size of the foetus increases and it becomes difficult for the would-be mothers to have sound sleep during night. There are other reasons that affect sound sleep during pregnancy. They are:Frequent urinationIncrease of heart rateHeartburnsCramps in the legs and backachesDifficulty in breathingSleeping Positions during First TrimesterThe first trimester is that period of time when a pregnant woman should be very careful. This is the time when women feel morning sickness and like to sleep more. Sleeping on side should be practiced right from first trimester as it will be difficult to sleep on back as the belly grows in size. In case, the woman has the habit of sleeping on back or stomach, it is high time to change it.Sleeping on left side is suggested by most of the doctors as it helps to improve the blood circulation to the reproductive organs. Avoid Sleeping on Back during PregnancyAfter 5th month, pregnant woman should not sleep on her back. Due to increased foetus size, the belly becomes larger. When would-be mothers sleep on their back, there is pressure created on intestine which may cause other problems. As pressure is created, blood circulation from heart to feet and legs may be a problem. Sleeping on back would also create pressure on the back and cause frequent backaches. Sleeping on back causes problems like hypertension, low Blood Pressure, and kidney problems and also may lead to conditions like varicose veins, haemorrhoids and oedema.Avoid Sleeping on Stomach during PregnancySome women have the habit of sleeping on their stomach which is very risky especially during pregnancy. Sleeping on stomach means the entire body weight of mother would fall on the baby which is never safe for the uterus. Sleeping stomach would also cause harm to the breasts.Why Sleeping on the Left Side is Good during Pregnancy?Sleeping on the side is the most preferred position during pregnancy. Some doctors recommend that right or left but side sleeping is a must for pregnant women. Most of the doctors recommend that would-be mothers should sleep on their left side. In human body, liver is on the right side of the abdomen and while would-be mothers sleep on their left side, uterus remains away from liver. Another advantage of sleeping on the left side is that it helps in better blood circulation. Blood goes easily to the heart, kidney and uterus and the foetus also receives good amount of blood. Studies have shown that approximately 4% of women had risks of stillbirth if they sleep on their back during their late pregnancy period. Approximately 2 % women had the risk of stillbirth if they had slept on their left side during late pregnancy period. Pregnant women find it difficult to have good uninterrupted sleep during last trimester of their pregnancy. That is why it is important to build the habit of sleeping in the right posture from the early days of pregnancy to ensure both mother and baby are healthy and sound. Apart from learning about the best sleeping positions, knowledge about diets and exercises during pregnancy would help would-be mothers to have sound sleep throughout pregnancy period and at the end they become proud mothers of healthy babies.