How to find a comfortable sleep position during pregnancy
As your bump grows, getting comfy at night gets harder, but here’s some tips that may help
As your bump gets bigger, it sometimes feels no amount of wriggling can get you comfortable. But the position you sleep in can make all the difference – not only easing your comfort, but getting more nutrients to your baby too!
Bring in the pillows
With some strategic positioning, a pillow or two can make sleeping a far more restful experience. Try sandwiching one lengthways between your knees, and a few more behind your back and under your bump. The most important thing is to keep experimenting until you find a position that feels comfortable for you. Lying on your back after around 16 weeks can be uncomfortable though, and later on in the pregnancy can mean your womb presses on one of the main blood vessels, making you feel faint, so best avoid the back.
Baby-friendly positions
The charity Tommy's has launched a Sleep On Side campaign advising women to sleep on their side in late pregnancy as it can help reduce the risk of stillbirth. Sleep position in the third trimester is important because if you are on your back the combined weight of baby and womb puts pressure on other organs in your body. If you wake on your back, don't panic, just turn over onto your side. Other research shows that lying on your left may increase the flow of blood flow to your placenta, providing your baby with extra nutrients.
Massage time
A back rub can make all the difference – ask your partner to massage anywhere that feels uncomfortable. Most helpful of all will probably be a lovely rub on your lower back, or to ease that aching hip.
Sleep aids
The good news is there are all sorts of products to help pregnant mums get comfortable and sleep well at night.