Best Pregnant Sleep Position

This post was published when I was in my 30 weeks of gestation.  I have been observing my different pregnancy experiences and the best pregnant sleep position. I did some research on better ways to overcome the challenges of being an expectant mom.  At this stage, my baby is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of the cabbage).

Changing sleep patterns is now very obvious to what I experience in this stage. I usually found myself waking up in the middle of the night only to drink or eat something for my active baby. I have been experiencing the Braxton Hicks Contractions – an intermittent, painless contraction that may occur every 10 to 20 minutes after the first trimester of pregnancy. In my first pregnancy, I seldom noticed it but now with my second pregnancy, I felt the contractions very frequent. This is why I wanted to know which pregnant sleep position should I follow for comfort. To distinguish the difference between true labor vs Braxton Hicks, I was able to find a table of comparison from pregnancy.about.com.

Table comparison for Braxton Hicks Vs True labor

Braxton Hicks	True Labor
Contractions don’t get closer together.	Contractions do get closer together.
Contractions don’t get stronger.	Contractions do get stronger.
Contractions tend to be felt only in the front.	Contractions tend to be felt all over.
Contractions don’t last longer.	Contractions do last longer.
Walking has no effect on the contractions.	Walking makes the contractions stronger.
Cervix doesn’t change with contractions.	Cervix opens and thins with contractions.

In addition to the changing sleep patterns I experience constipation. I have noticed that if I was not able to eat fiber rich foods or any fruits/ vegetables in one day, constipation may easily trigger so it is very important to eat fiber rich foods, drink a lot of water and exercise too.

According to my Obstetrician/ Gynecologist, the best pregnant sleep position she recommends especially in the latter months is to sleep on the left side. Sleeping on the left side is not my usual bed position because I sleep like an army but with the weight on my growing baby, I can now feel the pressure, sometimes backaches when I wake-up.

Best Pregnant Sleep Position

Why is sleeping on your left side better? From babycenter.com articles, it is said that pregnant sleep position on your left side may benefit your baby by improving blood flow – and therefore nutrients – to the placenta. It also helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body, which in turn reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands.

I have learned that when you’re sleeping on your back,  the weight of your uterus lies on the spine, back muscles, intestines, and major blood vessels which can can lead to muscle aches and pains, hemorrhoids, and impaired circulation. This is uncomfortable for pregnant moms and can reduce circulation to the baby. Negative factors in back sleeping for expectant moms includes blood pressure drop, causing some expectant moms to experience dizziness,  can cause snoring and, with increased weight, could lead to sleep apnea. So to prevent this from happening, it is best to  do the recommended sleep position pregnancy.

The pregnant sleep position on the left gives a little comfort to me when I sleep most especially during the latter moths of pregnancy. To support the pressure with my baby, I put a small pillow underneath my belly on the left side and pillows in between my knees. Read more on pregnancy and prenatal check-ups.