The Best Sleeping Positions While Pregnant

When you are pregnant, finding a comfortable position to sleep is difficult. The larger your unborn child grows the less likely it is that you are going to have an easy time finding a comfortable position anywhere. First time moms are often left to wonder what is the best position for sleep and what positions should be avoided.

Sleeping on Your Back While Pregnant
Sleeping on your back while you are pregnant puts the weight of your growing uterus on veins that supply the flow of blood to your baby. This is more of a concern as your pregnancy progresses. I have had three C-sections and during all three I was put on a table that was slanted to one side to keep me from being flat on my back. If you usually sleep on your back, you will want to start practicing sleeping in a different position as early as possible. Don't wait until you are seven months pregnant. Give yourself time to get used to sleeping in a different position before the last minute.

Sleeping on Your Side While Pregnant
A good sleeping position while you are pregnant is sleeping on your side. Use body pillows to prop yourself onto your side. Prop a pillow under your belly to hold the weight of your uterus and unborn child up and keep it from pulling on your low back. Using a pillow between your legs to align your body helps to maximize comfort while sleeping on your side. When I was pregnant, I used this position often.

Sleeping Prone While Pregnant
It is difficult to sleep laying on your belly while you are pregnant, especially during the later months of pregnancy. When I was pregnant with my fourth child sleeping on my belly was the only way I could fall asleep. I would put pillows on all sides of my belly to raise me so that my belly had a nest. I also had a water bed. I don't know if this position works on a regular bed. I know that pregnancy pillows are sold on specialty sites online.