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| *Women health>>>Pregnancy |
Is it safe to sleep on your back in later stages of pregnancy? |
Is it safe to sleep on your back in later stages of pregnancy? Not FLAT on your back, no. In the later stages of pregnancy, the weight of the baby can compress the vena cava in the mother, the major blood vessel that returns blood to the mother's heart for re-oxygenation and redistribution back to the body. If the vena cava is compressed, there is less blood return to the mother's heart, less oxygenation to the mother, and, therefore, less oxygenation supplied to the baby. The same thing can happen if a pregnant woman lies flat on her back while awake, but if awake, she is more likely to be aware of feeling light-headed, nauseous, etc. The best position to sleep in is on your left side, as the vena cava returns blood on the right side of your heart. If you absolutely can't tolerate this, sleep on your left side as a second choice...I am just going to assume you don't want advice about sleeping on your stomach (haha!). Source(s): I'm a paramedic It is better to sleep on your left side so you don't place so much pressure on your spine and the arteries to your legs. I think that whatever way you can be comfortable is ok. Most of the time it is the discomfort of being in one position too long. you don't need to lay on your back you can compress a major vien in your back, thus making not only your legs going to sleep, but also cuttin off blood flow to your baby too. It is best to lay on one of your sides, either one will do. personal experience and my doctor telling me the reasons when I was pregnant. Trust your body. Obviously, you won't be sleeping on your stomach, but what you do when you are asleep is involuntary. That is, you can't decide that you are going to sleep in one position or another, because as you sleep you move from one to the other. Your body knows what it needs, knows where the foetus is most securely cradled, and knows how best for you to relax. Be prepared during the later stages of pregnancy, to take more catnaps, and snooze during the day, as you will find that someone thumping little fists, knees and elbows inside your uterus can wake you out of a sound sleep! Congratulations, and I hope all goes well for you. |
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