What Is the Best Position for Sleeping and Lying Down During Pregnancy?
In general, pregnant women should try not to lie on their back or on their stomach. Lying on your back, especially in the third trimester, causes more work for your heart: in this position, the baby’s weight can put excessive pressure on the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the feet and legs, pelvis, and abdomen back to the heart. In addition, sleeping on your back can actually cause you to have a backache! Lying on your stomach during pregnancy is not likely to be very comfortable. More importantly, lying on your stomach should be avoided because it can put added pressure on the fetus and reduce blood flow. Don’t be too concerned if you shift positions in the night; this is a normal part of sleeping that you can’t control. Most likely you will wake up from discomfort if you end up lying on your back or stomach. Some doctors recommend that pregnant women lie on their left side in the third trimester to allow for the best blood flow to the fetus and to the uter
