“Doctor… will sleeping on my tummy hurt my baby?”

This is one of the commonest questions pregnant women ask.

Many become so worried that they stop sleeping in the position they’re most comfortable in even during the early weeks of pregnancy.

But the good news is that in early pregnancy, sleeping on your tummy is generally not a problem if you’re comfortable.

The real concern comes later in pregnancy, and surprisingly, it’s often sleeping flat on your back that deserves more attention.

Why?

Because as your baby grows, your womb can press on a major vein, reducing blood flow back to your heart. That can make you feel dizzy and may reduce blood flow to the placenta.

In today’s post, I’ll discuss:
The safest sleeping positions during pregnancy
When you should stop sleeping on your back
A simple pillow trick that can ease back pain and help you sleep better

If you’re pregnant or know someone who is, this is worth reading.

Q: Hello Doctor. ..is it safer for a pregnant women to sleep on her tummy?

A: Congratulations on your pregnancy!

In early pregnancy, there’s nothing really wrong with lying on your tummy….that’s if you feel comfortable. As your pregnancy progresses, you will definitely not be able to do so again. So, if this is your guilty pleasure, enjoy it while it lasts.

Generally, in the first trimester, if you’re used to sleeping on your back or tummy, you can continue.

However, as you get into your second trimester, it is fact that pregnant women should not sleep on their backs especially close to term. This is because the woman may feel dizzy as the growing uterus puts pressure on the vein that returns blood from the body making the woman feel dizzy on getting up and the baby may also not get enough nutrients from the placenta in that position.

As pregnancy proceeds, you may start to experience more backaches as the weight you have put on starts to take its toll. Be sure to sit up straight on chairs with proper back support to help with this. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs will also help. This may be the cause of your backaches but if they are very discomforting, please see your doctor. Better safe than sorry.

What sleeping position has been most comfortable for you during pregnancy?