All of you moms out there will already know all of this info., but for you more recent preggos, you will find this information helpful.
I was talking with one of my friends who is 24 weeks pregnant last week, and we were discussing how you are supposed to sleep when you are pregnant. She knew (as most people can figure out pretty easily) that you shouldn't be sleeping on your stomach. She also knew that she shouldn't be sleeping on her back anymore. This position causes your uterus to put pressure on your descending vena cava (the main blood vessel coming from your heart) and can diminish blood supply to your lower body, including the fetus. What she didn't know, however, was that sleeping on your left side is actually the best position to be sleeping in during the second and third trimester. Here is some info. I found on a website about this:
"Although there's no real harm in sleeping on your right side, lying on your left side is actually good for you and your baby: It improves the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta and it helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body. That, in turn, reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands. If you train yourself to sleep on your left side early on, you'll have an easier time falling asleep when your belly is bulging later.
During the second half of pregnancy, avoid sleeping on your back, a position that puts the full weight of your uterus on your spine, back muscles, intestines, and the inferior vena cava (the vein that transports blood from your lower body to the heart). Back-sleeping can also put you at risk for backaches and hemorrhoids, inefficient digestion, and impaired breathing and circulation. Lying on your back in the second and third trimester can also cause changes in blood pressure. For some women, it can cause a drop in blood pressure that can make them feel dizzy; for others, it can cause an unwanted increase in blood pressure."
Another issue when it comes to sleeping during pregnancy is that it can become very difficult and uncomfortable to sleep when you are pregnant. Here is a good article on some of the reasons why this is the case, more info. on good sleep positions, and other things you can do to help get a good nights sleep!
http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/sleep_during_pregnancy.html
Sweet dreams!
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2 comments:
definitely not enjoying the left-side only sleeping habits...but i do know its the best thing for me and my little girl. only problem is that i suffer throughout the night with the worst pain in my hips. it doesn't matter what side i'm on, i get really sharp pain in the hip that causes me to have to sit up and stay awake for a while. not fun. i don't have any bruising or anything like that, but for some reason my hips don't like being slept on....what have you heard about this?
Holly,
the lady who teaches the pregnant yoga class said that Calcium & Magnesium are good vitamins to take to help you sleep. Ever tried that or know anything about it?
Also, when are you supposed to stop sleeping on your back?
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