Comfortable Sleep Positions During Pregnancy
Sleep Positions During Pregnancy
During early pregnancy most women have little trouble sleeping. As your uterus continues to expand and grow however, you may find sleeping a bit more challenging. By about five months pregnant most women find they have more trouble getting comfortable. It is however vital that you do find a comfortable position and get as much rest as possible. Snoozer pregnancy pillows and body pillows can help you find that comfortable
position. Getting enough sleep will not only help you feel refreshed but also help you and your baby stay healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Comfortable Sleeping Positions
Good positions and extra padding from a full pregnancy pillow are often the key to a good night's sleep during pregnancy. Most women find that laying on their right or left side is most comfortable during pregnancy. Laying on your back is not recommended, as this can compress your inferior vena cava. If you compress this vein you'll find your blood flow restricted and you may feel lightheaded while laying down or upon rising.
The left sided sleep position is easily achieved with a pregnancy pillow.
Most doctors recommend that pregnant women lie on their left side. This promotes optimal blood flow to your body and uterus. If however you find that you are more comfortable on your right side, there is no reason you shouldn't sleep on this side. Most women will also find they need added support while sleeping. This can most easily be accomplished through use of a body pillow. You may find it helps to tuck a body pillow under your belly and legs, and then also use a smaller pillow to support your back so you don't roll over on your back while sleeping.
If you do find you rolled onto your back while sleeping, don't panic. Simply roll back onto one of your sides and go back to sleep. Most women will find a position they are comfortable enough in to catch some zzz's. Some women find they do best in a semi-reclined position. You may for example find that you sleep better in a recliner or in a position similar to that a recliner might put you in. If this is the case, go for it. What matters is your comfort, not the exact position you fall asleep in.
You may find it helpful to tuck various sized pregnancy pillows in other locations during your pregnancy. Some women like a little extra lift under the arms while some even like a light pillow resting gently on top of their head. Don't worry about what seems ordinary or extraordinary. Again during pregnancy the key is your comfort.
Quieting Your Mind To Sleep
Most pregnant women find their thoughts race incredibly while pregnant. This can contribute as much to lack of sleep as can a bad position or lack of a body pillow. Prior to bed you should take several steps to ensure you can quite your mind enough to sleep while pregnant. This may include engaging in a bedtime ritual to help you sleep.
Many women find drawing a warm bath or taking a warm shower prior to bedtime helps them relax enough to fall asleep. Others find sipping a bit of chamomile tea and inhaling a small bit of lavender essential oil is all that is needed to help them fall asleep. If you find your thoughts tend to ramble the moment your head hits the pillow, try writing in a journal for a few minutes before sleeping.
Simply keep a pen and pad near your bed. Spend ten to fifteen minutes writing down your random thoughts or worries before going to bed, then leave them in the journal when you go to sleep. While you may find this a bit challenging the first few nights, once you get into the habit you should find you start sleeping much easier with a regular routine.
Last but certainly not least, be sure you avoid products with caffeine in the hours leading up to your bedtime. Even a small amount of caffeine (like that contained in chocolate) may be all that is necessary to disrupt a pregnant woman's system and keep her awake. Instead try heating a bit of milk with some honey, which helps induce a naturally relaxed state prior to bedtime. Keep your cup small however, so you won't have to rush up and use the bathroom just as you are nodding off to sleep!
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