The expectant mother should fully rest until the very birth. In particular, during the period of bearing crumbs, night sleep is important - at least 8 hours a day. In this case, the posture of a woman is of great importance: now you need to take care not only of your comfort, but also take into account the needs of the child. How to sleep during pregnancy so that the baby is comfortable?

Each of us has a favorite sleeping position in which we spend most of the night. But pregnancy in most cases forces the expectant mother to abandon her usual body position during sleep, adjusting to her position. Certain positions can harm the fetus, while others will become simply uncomfortable.

During the first 12 weeks after conception, a woman still has the luxury of not thinking about how to sleep properly during pregnancy. You can rest in any position. But very soon, the expectant mother will have to control the position of her body in a dream. Who would have thought that the posture can both help the fetus develop and prevent its normal growth.

The choice of a woman in a position is very modest - during pregnancy you need to sleep on your side, and if possible more often on the left. When mommy rests in this position, the child receives the optimal amount of nutrients, because in this case there are no obstacles for normal blood circulation. Lying on her left side, the pregnant woman does not squeeze the liver and allows her heart to work well. Of course, sleeping only on the left side during pregnancy is very difficult, so during the night you need to roll over from left to right and back several times.

With a transverse presentation of a baby, doctors recommend that a woman more often lie on the side in which the fetal head is located. If the child "sat down" on the ass (breech presentation), from one side to the other you need to roll over at night up to 3-5 times.

So, we found out that the sleeping position, when a woman lies on her left side, is the safest and most useful in terms of physiology. On early dates during pregnancy, many expectant mothers also curl up at the same time - this position guarantees a cozy and restful sleep.

As the duration of pregnancy increases, the ability to pull the legs to the chest decreases: the uterus grows significantly in size, the bend of the spinal column in the lumbar region also increases, so the woman is forced to straighten up during sleep. What to do when constant lying on your side starts to cause pain in the hips?

1. Try not to take a position strictly on your side, but lie on your side and at the same time lean back slightly. To make the pose stable and comfortable, place a roll of a rolled blanket under your back.
2. Bend your knees slightly, spread them apart and put between them a moderately soft sofa cushion Not big size.
3. To make the mattress as comfortable as possible, you can cover it with a thick blanket or soft mattress.
4. Some pregnant women fall asleep sweetly only when they put their foot or hand on the husband lying next to them.

How not to sleep during pregnancy

Can you sleep on your back during pregnancy? This question worries many expectant mothers, especially those for whom this position is their favorite. At first, of course, there can be no restrictions - in the first half of pregnancy, sleeping on your back is comfortable and safe. However, after 22 weeks of an “interesting” position, this habit must be abandoned.

The uterus and spinal column surround the largest vessel in the human body - the inferior vena cava. It transports blood from the trunk and lower extremities to the heart. During pregnancy, the growing baby and the uterus, along with the amniotic fluid, put pressure on the vena cava, so there is a high probability of developing the so-called inferior vena cava syndrome, when the vessel is strongly pinched. At the same time, the volume of circulating blood decreases sharply, and the body perceives this situation as an acute massive blood loss and reacts with the corresponding symptoms:

• dizziness;
• general weakness;
• inability to take a full breath with the chest;
• lowering blood pressure;
• state close to hypovolemic shock.

Such a state maternal organism is critical for the intrauterine development of the fetus: the child suffers from a lack of oxygen and his general well-being naturally deteriorates. Obviously, you shouldn't sleep on your back during pregnancy. When a woman is awake, she can change her body position in a timely manner if she feels unwell (for example, during an ultrasound procedure). However, during a night's rest, the body's defense reactions are also "dormant", so sleeping on your back during pregnancy is dangerous for the health of a woman and her child.

With confirmed multiple pregnancy or excessive volume amniotic fluid lying on your back should be abandoned already at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. When the fetal head is too low and there is a possibility of spontaneous abortion, this recommendation is also valid.

Can you sleep on your stomach during pregnancy? Lying in this position is very comfortable, and many rest in this way. The expectant mother can afford such a luxury up to the 12th week of pregnancy. At this time, the uterus is hidden in the niche of the small pelvis and protected by the pubic bones. After 12 weeks, it is better not to put additional pressure on pregnant belly, besides, after a while it will become completely dangerous for the child.

If you sleep on your stomach after the 20th week of pregnancy, the inferior vena cava is slightly clamped, while the vessels that feed the placenta experience strong pressure. This is even more dangerous for the fetus than lying on his back.

Many pregnant women, especially primiparas, cannot sleep on their stomachs due to the high sensitivity of the breasts.

After 28 weeks, the question of how long during pregnancy you can sleep on your stomach disappears by itself: it becomes completely uncomfortable to rest in this position.

How to fall asleep quickly during pregnancy

The optimal duration of sleep for a woman in position is from 8 to 10 hours a day, and more is possible, and less is not. Add to that daily 30-minute rest breaks. Lack of sleep instantly affects the general health of a pregnant woman: appetite disappears, mood becomes depressed, immunity weakens.

In order to sleep sweetly at night, future mom must be ready in the morning. The quality of sleep is determined by the lifestyle and daily routine of a pregnant woman.

Here are some rules to follow during the day:

• limit physical activity and not worry about trifles. Extreme fatigue can lead to insomnia instead of sound sleep;
• problems with falling asleep can sometimes be eliminated by refusing daytime rest. To enter the correct mode, you need to take some time off from taking naps after dinner;
• “quiet” sports will help to quickly find yourself in the arms of Morpheus during pregnancy: fitness for expectant mothers, swimming, hiking;
• dishes heavy for the stomach - not the most good option supper. In addition, during pregnancy, it is better not to drink a lot of fluids before bed to minimize the number of trips to the toilet at night. If an annoying feeling of hunger prevents you from falling asleep, you can have a snack with a piece of boiled lean meat;
• you should not plan unpleasant conversations, serious affairs or watching a heavy movie not in the evening;
• when blood sugar levels drop, it is usually difficult for pregnant women to fall asleep: weakness, heart palpitations and lightheadedness are observed. A piece of sugar or a sweet drink (for example, tea with sugar and lemon) will help to quickly relieve an attack;
• as a method of combating insomnia, you can try a relaxing bath, back and leg massage, or sex before bed (unless prohibited for health reasons);
• if the expectant mother now and then is forced to count sheep in order to fall asleep, the problem is solved with the help of a doctor by medication. As a rule, in such cases, Glycine, tincture of valerian or motherwort are prescribed.

How to organize a night's rest during pregnancy

The dream of the expectant mother will be healthy and strong if you prepare in advance for this event:

1. In the warm season, you need to sleep with an open window, and in winter, be sure to ventilate the bedroom half an hour before going to bed.
2. Dreams will be extremely pleasant if you provide yourself with maximum comfort during sleep: wear spacious, comfortable and soft clothes, warm your feet with socks if they are cold.
3. It is impossible to load the stomach with excess food in the evening, but a light snack still does not hurt.
4. An indispensable condition for good rest is a comfortable mattress. His choice must be approached very carefully.

Pillows for sleeping during pregnancy

Soft pillows help almost all expectant mothers to get comfortable and fall asleep faster. different sizes, which they put under the side, lower back, neck, legs.

The main obstacle to a long night's sleep while waiting for a baby is considered a growing belly. With the help of pillows, a woman can find a comfortable position, despite this physiological feature. Try, for example, placing one pillow under your belly and tucking the other between your knees. If you are light on your left side, straighten your left leg, and bend your right leg, on the contrary. There can be two or many more pillows, and over time you will definitely find a pose that suits you completely.

A wonderful way out of a difficult situation are special pillows for expectant mothers. This bedding is made with the specific needs of pregnant women in mind, so it is very comfortable. For example, a horseshoe-shaped pillow will help you to take several comfortable positions and fall asleep in the shortest possible time.

If, as your pregnancy progresses, problems with a night's rest do not let you go, do not give up and continue to look for ways to improve sleep. Do not forget that a child will appear soon and will require enormous energy costs. Caring for your baby will completely deprive you of the luxury of sleeping at night, so you need to get enough sleep in advance.

The habit of getting enough sleep at night is the key to a strong emotional state of a woman and the normal intrauterine development of her child. To eliminate this or that problem that interferes with sleep, sometimes it is enough just to neutralize the cause that caused it: adjust the daily routine or diet, increase or reduce the time of walking before bedtime. If anxious thoughts about childbirth prevent the expectant mother from falling asleep, it may be worth talking to a psychologist about this topic or signing up for special courses for pregnant women. When all annoying factors are eliminated, and fears are dispelled, restful sleep will immediately return to the expectant mother.

With the onset of pregnancy, the expectant mother begins to lead a completely different life, with some restrictions. Sometimes they are very significant and concern first of all all bad habits- from now on, they should not be until the woman gives birth and finishes breastfeeding the baby. But the restrictions also cover other areas of the expectant mother's life - they relate to nutrition, certain sports, and even the position of her body in a dream.

And if the fact that as the stomach grows, it is forbidden to sleep on it is obvious, then many questions arise regarding other postures in sleep. For example, is it possible to sleep on your back during pregnancy, how can it be dangerous for a pregnant woman and her unborn baby?

Should you sleep on your back during pregnancy?

With the onset of pregnancy, many expectant mothers report increased fatigue, lethargy, and drowsiness. This is the reaction of the body to a new position for it. It is best to listen to your feelings and relax whenever possible.

In general, expectant mothers have no questions about whether. Obviously, as it grows, it becomes dangerous, and simply inconvenient. However, in the early stages, the position of the expectant mother during sleep does not matter!

When not to sleep on your back during pregnancy

The first trimester is the period when you can sleep on your back during pregnancy without fear of any consequences. The fact is that the embryo is still too small, it is reliably protected by the bones of the small pelvis, so there is no chance that the expectant mother will harm him with the wrong posture during sleep.

Nevertheless, already now we must gradually accustom ourselves to the fact that soon there will be only 2 poses that are acceptable during pregnancy - on the left and right sides. Already starting from the second trimester, the expectant mother should be able to control herself in a dream, since lying both on her stomach and on her back can cause serious harm to her health and the health of the unborn baby.

Why is it dangerous to sleep on your back during pregnancy?

From about the 12th week of pregnancy, the size of the uterus already reaches such a size that the position of the body of the expectant mother directly begins to affect the condition of the baby in her stomach. Already now she herself is becoming uncomfortable, and psychologically scary to lie on her stomach. Experts say that this situation can provoke uterine hypertonicity.

The favorite position on the back is also not only undesirable - it is extremely dangerous. In this position, there are significant changes in the work of the internal organs of a pregnant woman, the cause of which is an increase in the pressure of the growing uterus.

1. Pressure on the intestines provokes the development of constipation and accumulation of gases, which leads to bloating and severe pain. Such disorders are quite common in pregnant women, so, of course, it is not worth provoking their development while lying on your back.
2. The load on the spine and lumbar leads to back pain. Possible disruption of the kidneys, which, in turn, is the cause of edema. Both back pain and swelling are also constant companions of pregnancy, and regular sleeping on your back can aggravate the situation.
3. The load on the inferior vena cava is the main reason why pregnant women are contraindicated to sleep on their backs. The inferior vena cava is a large blood vessel that helps drain blood from the lower body to the heart. If its functioning is disturbed, a pregnant woman experiences symptoms:

• acute lack of oxygen;
• respiratory failure;
• dizziness;
• cold sweat;
• increased heart rate.

In other words, with difficult outflow of blood through the lower vena cava, the expectant mother experiences all the signs of fainting, moreover, while lying down. Such symptoms indicate a failure in the work of several systems at once - cardiovascular, endocrine and respiratory.

But that is not all. The condition of the fetus in the womb also deteriorates significantly. Due to impaired blood flow, it receives an insufficient amount of oxygen and essential nutrients necessary for normal development. Regular sleep of the expectant mother on her back can lead to the development intrauterine hypoxia fetus, which, in turn, can lead to:

• congenital pathologies of the formation of internal organs;
• serious lesions of the central nervous system - the central nervous system.

After birth, a newborn may experience:

• growth retardation;
• developmental delay;
• sleep disorders.

All of the above consequences can be avoided if the expectant mother sleeps on her side. The left side is preferable, but in the case of a transverse presentation, doctors recommend sleeping on the side in which the baby's head is located. So he will be more likely to take correct position in the tummy so that the birth goes as it should.

What to do if a woman is used to sleeping on her back

Even in ordinary life, sleep is very important for many internal processes, therefore, ideally, a person should sleep about 8 hours a day. A pregnant woman should know this and doubly try to follow this simple yet complex rule.

But what if there are only restrictions around? How to relax expectant mother?

1. Now every maternity store sells special pillows for expectant mothers. To some, the price tag will seem overpriced, but it's worth it. Such a pillow will provide mom with a comfortable sleep on any side, relieve the load from the lower back in a sitting position, and become an invaluable assistant in feeding a newborn baby. If you can't get a pillow, you can roll up a blanket and use it in a similar way.
2. Before going to bed, it is better to ventilate the room well, and if the weather is good outside and the expectant mother is not afraid of drafts, then sleeping with an open window would be an excellent solution.
3. Evening walks in the fresh air are also good. It is better in a pleasant company, pregnant women should not walk long distances alone. An alternative is a warm pool. He will remove the load from the tired back, let the woman feel light again, relax and prepare for sleep.
4. Do not eat at night, especially heavy food. Discomfort and heaviness in the abdomen will greatly complicate the night's sleep.
5. In addition, 3 hours before bedtime, you should limit the intake of any liquid, as in this case it can provoke the appearance of edema.
6. For the best well-being, the expectant mother should try to sleep about 8 hours a day, go to bed and get up at the same time.

In general, if a pregnant woman follows the above recommendations, then she will have a comfortable sleep, and the lack of a choice of sleeping position will not seem stressful to her.

Of course, it is very difficult for many to control themselves in a dream. Due to the fact that you can only sleep on your side, a logical question arises - what will happen if you unconsciously take a position that is obviously dangerous to health?

In fact, over time, a pregnant woman becomes more responsive in her sleep. In principle, it becomes uncomfortable for her to lie down on her stomach as it grows, therefore it is simply impossible to take such a position unconsciously. As for sleeping on your back, nothing terrible will happen from a short-term position of the body in such a position. And in case of discomfort, the pregnant woman will wake up and quickly take the correct position. In extreme cases, the baby will not be slow to inform her that he is ill with a targeted kick in the tummy.

Summary: why you should not sleep on your back during pregnancy

Pregnancy, although not a disease, is still a period of various restrictions. This does not mean that we should now be afraid to take an extra step, but a reasonable measure is necessary in everything.

Many people say that during pregnancy it is convenient for them to sleep on their backs, there is no discomfort. Nevertheless, even in the absence of signs of deterioration in well-being, it should be remembered that the crumbs in the stomach can still be uncomfortable and even bad. If he suddenly began to kick hard and sharply, then this may be a signal that his mother has taken an uncomfortable position and he does not have enough oxygen. In this case, the woman should still change her favorite position and open the window. A breath of fresh air will quickly calm the baby, and the comfortable position of the mother on her side will not allow her to feel such discomfort in the future.

Now you know why you shouldn't sleep on your back during pregnancy. In any case, these are temporary inconveniences, and the modern industry allows pregnant women to sit with maximum comfort during sleep. 9 months will pass very quickly, and very soon the newly-made mother will gladly lie down on her stomach and on her back.

Video: during pregnancy, you can not sleep on your back

Sleep is rest and a state that affects the entire body. Every person needs to sleep to restore strength and cleanse all organs and systems from harmful substances accumulated per day. This is a complex algorithm for the regeneration of the body at the cellular level. A pregnant woman needs to recover and cleanse for two, so it is important for her to sleep peacefully, get enough sleep for the future, and know how to lie down in order to rest and not harm her child.

And now let's dwell on this in more detail.

How to sleep during pregnancy?

Experts say that the posture of a sleeping mother affects what personal qualities and abilities a born person will have. That is, going to bed, the mother should understand that her baby needs comfort and choose a vacation option that is convenient for both of them. Factors influencing the well-being of the child and mother are:

• sleep duration;
• posture comfort;
• psychological condition;
• ailments, fatigue, overwork.

Toxicosis, metabolic disorders, frequent urination can interfere with good sleep. But there are those moments that a pregnant woman herself can prevent, that is, sleep as much as the body requires, eliminate stress, physical and psychological overstrain and uncomfortable or harmful postures.

Many people ask about whether it is possible to sleep on the back of a pregnant woman. Because this position is the most familiar and it is difficult to refuse it. Whether it is necessary to do this and when to stop sleeping on your back, there are detailed explanations of specialists about this.

Due to the increased stress on the body during pregnancy, every night a woman should be a useful time for rest, sufficient to restore the resources wasted during the day. With these thoughts, you need to go to bed and avoid lack of sleep, because it is the cause of the development of various ailments. Push aside all the disturbing thoughts that prevent you from falling asleep, calm down so that your heartbeat returns to normal and breathe calmly. Remember pleasant situations, it helps to fight insomnia, which is the real enemy of a pregnant woman. It leads to chronic fatigue, daytime sluggishness and depression.

You need to know as much as possible about postures during sleep. Those who like to sleep on their stomach and back will have to temporarily abandon such positions. This is due to the creation safe conditions for carrying a pregnancy, the mother herself and the fetus.

Why you shouldn't sleep on your back during pregnancy

In the second trimester, a pregnant woman undergoes a restructuring of the body, it is quite serious, so the position during sleep is not a trifle. It is necessary to take into account all changes in the state and listen to the recommendations of gynecologists.

1. Progesterone release contributes to the softening of the pelvic bone tissues.
2. Their friability becomes a threat for fractures.
3. The uterus grows, its increase becomes noticeable.
4. The growing fetus puts pressure on adjacent organs.

In a standing or sitting position, there are no uncomfortable sensations, and while lying on your back, there is a feeling of pressure on the spine. It becomes more noticeable with a further increase in the abdomen. In addition, the danger is the fact that the vena cava is clamped, which abruptly stops normal blood flow. Circulatory disturbance is so severe that a woman may faint.

If this happens in a dream, then the consequences can be unforeseen and the result is sad. This condition is especially dangerous for women suffering from varicose veins, with a tendency to thrombosis and swelling.

No less dangerous factor is the load on the pelvic organs. A frequent complication of the supine position is bladder compression and incontinence at night and even during the day. As a rule, those women who cannot refuse to sleep on their backs develop heartburn and nausea. The pregnant woman begins to complain of lumbar pain, they pull her back and make the woman tense up, which is unsafe in this period. The greatest care should be taken by women who are diagnosed with kyphotic or lordotic curvature of the spine.

How to sleep in early pregnancy

In the first trimester, the expectant mother is allowed to freely choose a sleeping position. She can lie in any position in which she is used to falling asleep. You can sleep on your stomach without any problems, lay on your side, on your back. Such freedom is due to the fact that changes in the body occur, but the size of the uterus and fetus is still small, internal organs no pressure. That is, obstacles to motor activity no one is sleeping.

Coups and turns of the mother in a dream do not threaten the baby. It is protected in the womb by the amniotic sac. It is possible to sleep without control over the resting position, but remember that you need to gradually accustom yourself to the fact that after a short period of time you will need to sleep on your side. This position is most preferred in the second trimester.

The side position in a dream is most convenient when the stomach begins to grow. In the second trimester, it will be difficult to sleep on the stomach, and it is impossible to sleep on the back due to internal pressure on the organs, spine and vena cava. These phenomena cause anxiety in a dream and the pregnant woman is not able to rest properly.

In the first trimester, you can lie down as you like, but you need to get used to how you will need to sleep in the future. This is a task that obstetrician-gynecologists advise against ignoring. Therefore, when you lie down to rest, turn on your left side, while your right knee should take a position that has slipped down. For now, take this position without any aids. But in order for you to get used to it comfortably, it is recommended to do a few simple steps:

• place a small pillow under your right knee;
• place the roller under the lower back;
• to protect against involuntary turning on the stomach, put a pillow under it too.

The best way to sleep well is an orthopedic mattress, it takes the shape of the body in any position. Experts say about the safety of sleeping on the left side, they are sure that in this position the blood circulation occurs in a normal mode, the fetus receives enough oxygen and healthy nutrition and is not endangered. For the mother, this posture is useful in that there is no pressure on the internal organs and the back and pelvic region do not hurt.

With a transverse presentation, it is recommended to sleep on the side where the head is located, changing positions. breech presentation provides for several turns during sleep from side to side. At least 3 times per night. But about this detailed information read the next section.

How to sleep in late pregnancy?

So, you are already in the second or third trimester, your stomach has grown, there are sensations of heaviness, there are swelling and various other phenomena characteristic of this period. On later dates Pregnancy with determining the position for sleeping, you need to be especially careful. And in order to specifically know how to sleep, you should do an ultrasound and determine what the presentation of the fetus is.

The generally accepted recommended postures are relevant only for those who have gestation without complications. When presenting a transverse, pelvic pregnant woman, it is necessary to consult a doctor about postures during sleep. Features of your position on the bed will be as follows:

1. Breech presentation has a categorical ban on sleeping on your back. This can lead to the birth of a child who will have serious pathologies. During the night, you need to change position and roll over to the other side. These turns should be 3 or 4.
2. With the right presentation, the recommendations boil down to the fact that your position in a dream should be on your right side. And you need to choose the right pillow for pregnant women. It should be such that it prevents the hollow foam from being crushed and pressure on the liver.
3. In the left presentation, the sleeping position should be on the left side with the right knee bent and padded, as described in the second section. And if in the early stages of pregnancy you did this in order to get used to the desired position, then everything must be done without fail - pillows under the stomach and under the right knee and a roller under the lower back.

The general rule for presentation features is: the position in a dream should correspond to the location of the fetal head. If you have a normal pregnancy and the baby is head down toward the exit, then sleep on your left side. During prenatal weeks, it is recommended to sleep in a semi-recumbent position. But this applies to those who, in a lying position, cannot fall asleep and can not rest peacefully. In the third trimester, you can’t even accidentally fall asleep on your back or stomach. You won’t be able to do this on your stomach, but about the posture on your back, be vigilant and don’t take risks.

What influences the position of the mother's body?

A woman who is accustomed to falling asleep in the supine position continues to sleep in this position during pregnancy. In the initial weeks, she does not notice any discomfort, but after a short period of time she will feel that the baby is uncomfortable in her stomach. This is due to the impact on the vena cava, it is squeezed, the amount of oxygen and nutrients entering through the circulatory system of the placenta is reduced, which affects the formation of the fetus.

• Oxygen starvation, which can occur from a long stay in a position on the back, causes placental abruption, which leads to tragic consequences.
• The uterus moves from its place, the child reacts to this with strong shocks and anxiety. He is not satisfied with the uncomfortable position and he tries to return to his original place.
• As a result of a lack of nutrients in a born child, reduced immunity is observed.
• Because of the sudden movements of the baby, the mother also has a hard time, she cannot fall asleep and, as a result, does not get enough sleep. This is fraught with deterioration and disruption of the course of pregnancy.
• From squeezing the vena cava in a pregnant woman, loss of consciousness during sleep is possible.

Based on the above factors, draw the right conclusion. The position in which you sleep affects your health and the condition of the child. It is impossible to ignore the recommendations of doctors and you need to force yourself to sleep on your right or left side, depending on diligence.

According to obstetricians and gynecologists, the most optimal posture for sleeping during pregnancy - this is the position on the side. It is equally comfortable for mother and child, does not cause unpleasant consequences for the fetus and the mother's body.

To take a comfortable position, you need to perform the following movements:

• lie on your left side;
• bend the elbow joint on the left hand, the bent left hand should be comfortable on the bed;
• place your right hand along the body or in the abdomen, it does not matter, choose a convenient option;
• avoid holding your hands under your head, they will become numb and you will have to knead them;
• bend the lower limbs, the bend angle should not be steep.

An even more comfortable position can be made with a pillow. It should be placed under the knees. Choose the parameters of the pillow for height and density as you wish, the main thing is that parts of the body do not become numb. This accessory should be specialized, so give preference to orthopedic products.

Fixing a comfortable position of the body, you can use pillows and rollers under the legs, stomach, lower back. If you need a firmer accessory, replace the pillows with rolls rolled from towels. To relax in a half-sitting position, you can purchase a neck pillow, as for traveling in transport. Neck pillows prevent headaches.

Pay attention to how hard your bed is. In late pregnancy, your mattress should be firm and your body should be in a horizontal position. Eliminate duvets and nets, and get rid of lumpy mattresses. The best mattresses are latex or box spring. You should choose an option that makes it comfortable for you to lie down and easy to get up from the bed.

While lying down, you need to focus before getting up, and then start lifting without sudden movements. If this rule is ignored, then dizziness is possible, from which you can fall, which is dangerous during pregnancy. In addition, having risen sharply, you risk getting a pressure surge, which is also undesirable, since it will have to be reduced with medications.

Lie down on the bed, too, should be careful. This is done from a sitting position, you need to sit on your side with the help of your hands, support your body when lowering yourself on the bed. After that, take the position of pregnant women on the side described above.

Do everything smoothly and calmly, remember that in your position, the correct position in a dream is the key to the health of the child and yours too. And rest for a pregnant woman is a condition for the normal course of pregnancy, childbirth and the subsequent difficult period of breastfeeding.

Good sleep during pregnancy is the key to the well-being of the expectant mother, and therefore the child. But how to sleep during pregnancy, so that after waking up you feel cheerful, and do not suffer from aches and numbness of certain parts of the body.

1 trimester. In the early stages, while the fetus is still very small, a woman can sleep in any comfortable position. You can only sleep on your stomach for the first 11 weeks of bearing a baby, because in the first trimester the uterus is protected from squeezing by the pubic and pelvic bones, and the bladder takes on all the blows and pressure. The only thing that can bring discomfort to a pregnant woman is soreness and increased sensitivity of the breast. That is why many women give up their favorite sleeping position already from the beginning of the first trimester of pregnancy.

2 trimester. By the twelfth week, the uterus begins to go beyond the boundaries of the pubic articulation, and although the fetus is reliably protected from external pressure by adipose tissue, the wall of the uterus and amniotic fluid but still from the second trimester sleeping on your stomach is not recommended.

From 25-28 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus begins to grow actively, you should not sleep on your back either, because such a sleeping position can cause:

• deterioration of blood circulation in the placenta, as a result of which the fetus may suffer from oxygen starvation (hypoxia);
• development in the future mother of hemorrhoids, venous congestion and edema in the lower extremities, varicose veins and even thrombophlebitis;
• aching back pain;
• lowering blood pressure, and as a result of the appearance of dizziness, weakness, darkening in the eyes, tinnitus, rapid breathing, heavy sweating, nausea (perhaps even vomiting);
• the appearance of digestive problems (since the uterus will compress the intestines and its large blood vessels);
• disruption of the kidneys and heart.

The complications described above are due to the fact that when you sleep on your back, the enlarged uterus is pressed against the spine, squeezing the inferior vena cava and aorta (see Figure 1). Clamping of the inferior vena cava, which carries blood from the lower extremities up to the heart, causes a decrease in the return of venous blood to the heart, and the woman's blood pressure decreases, the blood in the veins stagnates, and uterine and renal blood flow decreases.

Figure 1 - Demonstration picture of why you need to sleep on your side during pregnancy

You can put a large pillow under your back, which, when changing positions, will prevent the woman from lying on her back.

The sleeping position is so individual that it will be more comfortable for some to sleep on the right side, for others the baby will signal with kicks that it is uncomfortable for him to be in this position, and then it is better to roll over to the other side.

3rd trimester. During this period it is recommended sleep exclusively on the left side, because lying on the right side, the grown-up baby squeezes the woman's liver and right kidney, which is located slightly lower than the left one. Clamping of the ureter of the kidney leads to stagnation of urine, as a result of which a disease such as pyelonephritis can develop.

For a more comfortable sleep, it is recommended to put a pillow between the legs, while stretching the left leg and bending the right knee (see Figure 2). So the legs will not become numb, and the load on the pelvis will be less. You can also put a small pillow under your stomach.

Figure 2 - Photo of the correct position of the body during sleep

Sleeping on the left side is also recommended if the fetus is in the wrong position. With a transverse presentation of the fetus, you should sleep on the side where its head is displaced. It is also useful to do the following exercise: lie on one side for about 5-10 minutes, then roll over to the other side, also for 5-10 minutes. Perform on an empty stomach for 1 hour 2-3 times a day.

With the pelvic location of the fetus, it is useful to sleep on the left side and regularly perform the following exercise: lie down on a hard, flat surface, placing a pillow folded in half under the buttocks so that the pelvis rises 20-30 cm above the level of the head. Stay in this position for about 5 minutes (but not more than 15 minutes). We take this pose 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks starting from 32 weeks (not earlier).
And as soon as the baby takes the correct position, you need to start wearing a bandage regularly (with a long stay on your feet).

If a pregnant woman often has heartburn, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, then you should sleep so that the upper body is elevated.

At varicose veins veins, edema and leg cramps, it is recommended to put a pillow under the feet during rest so that the blood moves away from the lower extremities better.

It is impossible to control the position of your body during sleep, therefore, for the expectant mother, a pillow for pregnant women will become an indispensable assistant in this matter, which, after the baby is born, can help mommy take a comfortable position during feeding.

What is the best pillow to sleep on during pregnancy?

There are many options for pillows on sale, but during pregnancy, a woman needs a special version of this bedding, because during this period the anatomy of her body changes. Therefore, a special pillow for pregnant women was developed.

Disadvantages of this pillow:

• can take up a lot of space on the bed (with small dimensions of the bed, it will be uncomfortable for the next sleeper to sleep);
• a little hot in summer, because the fillers retain heat and do not absorb moisture released by the body;
• must be washed in a dry cleaner (if the pillow does not fit in the machine);
• capable of being electrified;
• the filler made of polystyrene balls rustles.

Material. Holofiber ball- Siliconized balls that look like curls of sheep's wool.

Hollofiber quickly restores its shape, resistant to washing and creasing. It is soft to sleep on products made from it, they are environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic, ticks do not start in such material, and sweat and odors are not absorbed. The material lends itself to machine and hand wash at a temperature not exceeding 40 ° C, you can dry the product in a centrifuge.

Styrofoam balls (or granules)- environmentally friendly durable material resembling foam balls. The hardest filler in comparison with other types of synthetic materials.
These balls cannot be washed in a washing machine.

Swan artificial down- a synthetic material having a fibrous structure. Such a filler has the following characteristics: it does not cause allergies, antibacterial, light and elastic, does not stray into lumps after washing.
Synthetic down can be washed by hand and in washing machine(at t up to 40 ° C), it dries quickly.

Sintepon usually not used in the manufacture of pillows for pregnant women, because it is not suitable for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, because. contains an adhesive that can cause coughing fits and other manifestations of these diseases. In addition, this material quickly strays into lumps.

Forms. G-shaped- large pillow Performs the following roles: supports the head and tummy; does not allow the pregnant woman to roll over on her back; allows you to sit comfortably with your leg on the pillow.

U-shaped- Large pillow in the form of a horseshoe. It will ensure good sleep, comfortable leisure activities and feeding the child. The U-shaped pillow ensures the correct position of the body during sleep and relieves stress from the pelvis and spine. Even children and husband will like such a pillow, because you just want to lie in an embrace with it.

C-shaped- universal pillow model. Designed for both sleeping and feeding the baby. During feeding, it supports the elbows, relieving tension from the shoulder (when feeding while sitting). It is convenient to make feeding and lying down.

The shape of the "nest" allows you to leave the crumbs unattended until mommy brings clean sliders. By placing the baby in the recess in the middle of the pillow, you will provide him with protection from falling out of bed. Also, the inner semicircle of the "eski" can be used as an auxiliary support when sitting down the crumbs.

L-shaped And in form I – good options for a small bed. The L-shaped model perfectly replaces the usual head pillow. At the same time, she supports her back well, preventing a woman from rolling over on her back in her sleep.

The I-shape is designed to act as a pillow for the head and support for the thigh. Can be rolled into desired shape.

V-shaped (crescent or boomerang)- compact version. Despite its small size, it retains the necessary functions of a pillow for pregnant women: it can support the head and tummy, or the back or neck (in the “sitting” or “half-sitting” position), or the pelvis and tummy (when it is located between the legs). Indispensable when feeding a child.

You can buy these pillows in this online store.

Any of the described pillows, if desired, can be made with your own hands. To help the needlewoman, the pictures show the sizes of the pillows so that patterns can be made from them.

Hollofiber and other fillers can be bought online. For one large pillow you need about 3 kg of holofiber.

Note!
Styrofoam balls are very electrified, and it is not easy to stuff a pillow with them, everything sticks to the fabric, and then there will be a lot of cleaning.

Expanded polystyrene balls shrink over time, and it becomes necessary to fill them with new granules, the price of which for 50 liters reaches $ 7 (430 rubles). For one large product you need 100-120 liters.

You can buy them on sites that sell frameless bean bags, ottomans and pillows for pregnant women.

The video clearly shows where the inferior vena cava passes, and why you should not sleep on your back in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnant women are forced to comply with many restrictions: this applies to medications, and physical activity, and nutrition. Even expectant mothers should sleep according to the rules. The correct sleeping position affects both the baby and the mother's well-being, because at night the body, especially which has become much heavier in a few months, must rest. It seems that the most optimal position is on the back, but is it really so?

How to sleep during pregnancy

- at an early stage

Despite the fact that the first trimester is considered the most dangerous for the embryo, it is at this time that the mother has no restrictions on sleep. You can sleep in any position, because the fetus is still too small and does not put pressure on the uterus and neighboring organs.

The main thing is to be comfortable and have enough time for a good rest.

However, it is still better to accustom yourself to sleep on your side from the first weeks of pregnancy, abandoning the position on your back and on your stomach. So the expectant mother will be easier in the later stages.

- at a later date

From about the middle of the second trimester, the belly of a pregnant woman becomes noticeable, but even earlier, from the 13th week, the size of the fetus causes the uterus to increase, oppressing neighboring organs.

From now on, you can’t sleep on your back: there is a risk of squeezing the inferior vena cava, which runs through the spine.

Of course, when the stomach begins to grow, you can no longer sleep on your stomach. In this position, there is strong pressure on the fetus. The most optimal position in the third trimester is on the left side, because. on the right kidney is compressed. Feet should be placed one on one or clamped between them a pillow or cushion.

In general, a woman needs to listen to her feelings. If after sleep she feels relaxed and full of energy, it means that the child was comfortable "sleeping" in this position. Sometimes the baby starts kicking and pushing while the mother is sleeping, which can mean that he is uncomfortable. Thus, he tries to inform his mother that it would not hurt to lie down differently.

In the last 1-2 weeks of pregnancy, doctors recommend sleeping half-sitting.

Why is it dangerous to sleep on your back at a later date?

The main reason why it is forbidden to sleep on your back from the 3rd month of pregnancy is the pressure of the fetus on the blood vessels and spine. In the place where the uterus is located, the spine just bends, i.e. he seems to be in contact with her if the woman lies on her back. There are pronounced pains and heaviness in the back, pressure rises, swelling and stiffness in the muscles appear.

Compressed blood vessels affect blood circulation: the baby does not receive enough nutrients, and the mother does not supply the tissues with the necessary amount of oxygen. If you lie on your back for a long time, the lack of oxygen to the brain can even lead to loss of consciousness.

The closer to childbirth, the more dangerous it is to lie on your back. The inferior vena cava, which transports blood from the lower body to the heart, is clamped. As a result, the mother may feel weak, dizzy, shortness of breath, darkening of the eyes and shortness of breath. In this case, you must immediately roll over on your side and lie down like this for several minutes. Feeling better instantly.

Compression of the vena cava is fraught with the development of hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Also, sleeping on the back provokes an excessive load on the bladder, so the woman will often have to run to the toilet, which also negatively affects the condition of the expectant mother. Suffering from the liver, kidneys, intestines.

When sleeping and lying on his back, the child also experiences an acute lack of oxygen, which is very dangerous.

What to do if a woman is used to sleeping on her back?

Firstly, in order to get rid of this habit, which will become harmful during pregnancy, you need to prepare for proper sleep in advance. It is advisable to try to go to bed on your side already at the stage of pregnancy planning.

Secondly, you can purchase a special pillow for pregnant women, which involves exactly sleeping on your side. The pillow is very soft and comfortable: it acts as a support and support for the legs at the same time, and reminds mom that it is better not to roll over on her back.

Finally, you can simply ask your husband to pay attention to the position during sleep, if he wakes up, and remind him to roll over.

What influences the position of the mother's body?

The position of the mother's body affects, first of all, her well-being. A pregnant woman experiences a tremendous load when walking, so it is very important to have a good rest during sleep. During the day, the legs and spine are subject to the greatest trials, and if the body is incorrectly positioned at night, the spine will hurt even more.

If the position of the woman’s body does not suit the baby, he will feel discomfort and try to change his own position. As a result of such manipulations, the baby may take a position that is not suitable for birth process. This is called a breech or transverse presentation of the fetus.

When the expectant mother lies on her left side, her organs and vessels are not squeezed. The child receives all the necessary nutrients, and the spine rests.

It is also very important to rise correctly. This should be done slowly, gradually, without jerks and sudden movements. First you need to lie down for a few minutes after waking up, then turn on the side that is closer to the descent from the bed, lower your legs to the floor and then get up.

Expectant mothers need to always take care of themselves and their baby, even during sleep. It is very important to choose the right pajamas, natural bed sheets, ventilate the room well, but do not forget about a comfortable position. During pregnancy, it is forbidden to sleep on the stomach, and from the 13th week - on the back. In this position, there is a huge pressure on the internal organs of the mother, and the baby does not receive the right amount of oxygen.

This position will not allow a woman to sleep and rest normally, because the load on the spine when sleeping on her back is colossal. It is best to sleep on your left side with a soft pillow between your legs.

Especially for Elena TOLOCHIK