Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy

Filed in archive Online Resources , Other Pregnancy Issues , Third Trimester on August 16, 2008

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Courtney Weittenhiller

If there is one really difficult thing to do while pregnant is finding the comfortable sleeping positions. Especially towards the third trimester. That's when you'll really feel the heaviness and that your body will never be the same again. Pre-pregnancy, you have already established your comfortable sleeping positions. Then suddenly you gotta find different positions once more and you can't be real comfortable for long.

I remember exchanging between either sides to Sleep sideways. Every night, there's just a different issue. Last night's a-ok position may not work the following night.

The American Pregnancy Association has the following health tips for sleeping positions while you are pregnant.

• The best sleep position during pregnancy is "SOS" (sleep on side). Even better is to sleep on your left side. Sleeping on your left side will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby. Keep your legs and knees bent and a pillow between your legs.


• If you find that you are having problems with back pain, use the "SOS" position and try placing a pillow under your abdomen as well.


• If you are experiencing heartburn during the night, you may want to try propping your upper body with pillows.


• In late pregnancy you may experience shortness of breath; try lying on your side or propped up with pillows.


• Avoid sleeping on your back and on your stomach during pregnancy.

Well...this i can only say: I've never had more pillows propped up surrounding my whole body than when towards the third trimester of my pregnancy.