Why Should Expecting Mothers Prevent Sleeping On Their Backs?

Date:

Share post:

Healthy and prolonged sleep is extremely important during pregnancy. It helps to gain physical strength and restore emotional balance. However, the expectant mother will find it useful to change her lifestyle in many ways, to face various prohibitions. It turns out that the position of the body during rest can negatively affect the well-being of the woman and the fetus.

Ā Here our concern lies in the consequences of pregnant women sleeping on the back. Indeed, it is a relaxing position, but at the time of pregnancy, it has adverse effects. Hence, consulting Gynaecologist Melbourne is recommended. They are specialists and know every tit-bit of pregnancy. Other than that, in this article, we are explaining why as a pregnant woman you should sleep on the back. Read-on!

Why You Shouldnā€™t Sleep On Your Back At Different Stages Of Pregnancy

Sleeping on the back affects a womanā€™s condition depending on the length of her pregnancy.

First Trimester

Most women in early pregnancy constantly feel sleepy, which does not go away even after prolonged sleep. This is an absolutely normal condition of the change in hormonal levels. And if there are opportunities, then the expectant mother does not need to resist the desire to sleep: it will only benefit. In the first trimester, you can rest in any position: on your side, stomach, back. The uterus, like the embryo, is still small in size, and the pelvic bones protect it well.

Second Trimester

In the second trimester, you will have to give up your favorite position. Starting from the fourth month, it becomes dangerous to lie on your back for a long time. By this time, the fetus becomes quite heavy. And when the pregnant woman lies on her back, the enlarged uterus presses on the internal organs: kidneys, liver, intestines. This is fraught with complications: for example, squeezing the intestines can cause constipation, accumulation of gas, and if the kidneys fail, oedema appears, which is especially noticeable on the arms and legs. The severity also falls on the womanā€™s spine, as a result, she develops back pain.

But the most dangerous thing is that when resting on the back of the expectant mother, the vena cava located along the spine is compressed. This large vessel transports blood to the heart from the lower body. And circulatory disorders can lead to the following consequences:

  • Numbness in the legs
  • Dizziness (even fainting)
  • Lack of air
  • Difficulty breathing (quickening)

Third Trimester

In the third trimester, gynaecologists in Melbourne categorically forbid pregnant women to sleep or just rest on their backs. The consequences can be more pronounced than in the middle of pregnancy. Fainting is especially likely, and it is very dangerous during sleep. Among other organs in this position, the large uterus squeezes the bladder, and this is already fraught with involuntary urine flow.

If the expectant mother has problems with the spine, suffers from thrombosis, varicose veins, is prone to edema, then the position on the back will only aggravate the situation.

Backrest For Twin Pregnancy

When a woman is expecting twins, it is better for her to get out of the habit of sleeping on her back already in the middle of the first trimester. After all, the embryos together will have more weight than one baby, and the uterus will grow faster.

Potential Hazard To The Fetus

When a pregnant woman lies on her back, not only her well-being suffers but also the condition of the fetus itself. When the genital vein is clamped, the oxygen content in the maternal blood decreases. Naturally, the child lacks it, which leads to hypoxia. The risk increases as the term increases. Hypoxia can lead to a delay in the development of the baby, damage to the nervous system. Such children are often born underweight, subsequently, have a poor appetite, sleep problems, and generally behave anxiously.

A strong lack of oxygen can cause ischemia or necrosis of any organs in the fetus, and this is already fraught with the termination of pregnancy. Also, hypoxia increases the risk of premature placental abruption.

How To Properly Organize Sleep During Pregnancy?

Having learned that it is undesirable and even harmful for pregnant women to sleep on their backs, it is important for the expectant mother to know which positions are the safest for her. OB/GYN recommends lying on the side, preferably with the left. This promotes good digestion since the stomach and pancreas take a natural position, the liver is protected, and the necessary blood flow to the spleen occurs.Ā 

The lateral position (left or right) during pregnancy has several advantages:

  • The spine relaxes. In the morning, the woman will feel fully rested.
  • Internal organs are not stressed, they function without failures.
  • Kidney function is not disturbed, therefore the risk of edema is reduced.
  • Since the vena cava is not compressed, the baby will be provided with oxygen in the required amount.

In addition to the correctly chosen posture, the following recommendations will help to find a good sleep that will strengthen your health:

  • The room should be well ventilated before going to bed.
  • It is advisable to change the bed linen regularly, at least once every two weeks.
  • It is helpful to take a short walk shortly before bed. In this case, you need to give up intensive sports.
  • Refuse to drink caffeine-rich drinks (coffee, strongly brewed tea). After all, they have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. And vice versa, a drink such as warm milk with honey will help a woman relax (unless, of course, there is an allergy to bee products).
  • Do not eat two hours before bedtime. Otherwise, instead of normal rest, the body will spend energy on digesting food.
  • Do not drink a lot of fluids three hours before bed, so as not to strain the kidneys and bladder.
  • You do not need to take sleeping pills, all the more to prescribe them yourself.
  • If cramps interfere with a good nightā€™s rest; consult the OB for the same.
  • If sleep problems are because of emotional distress. Then it will not be superfluous to consult a psychologist. In some cases, the support of close women who are already mothers themselves helps.
  • In the evening, a pregnant woman should not watch films and television programs that excite the psyche. The same applies to books of similar content.
  • A properly sleeping place is important for a good rest. The bed must have a certain elasticity: a sagging net is unacceptable. Choose a good quality mattress: ventilated, hypoallergenic, durable. A good option is anatomical or orthopedic.

Concluding Remarks

The choice of the correct and comfortable posture is an important factor in getting good sleep for a pregnant woman. The supine position becomes more and more dangerous as the gestational age increases, starting in the second trimester. Sleeping on the side will be the best option for the expectant mother, and special pillows that support the abdomen and help fix the desired body position will be a good help.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_img

Related articles

17 Official Gacor slot 777 trusted site online in Indonesia Today

Gacor slot is a recommendation for 18 trusted sites GacorĀ slotĀ 2023 with huge jackpots with real money in rupees....

Navigating the Legal Landscape: A Guide to Buying Property in Dubai

Dubai's bustling real estate market has long been a magnet for investors seeking lucrative opportunities amidst its towering...

Unlocking the Excitement: Exploring the Phenomenon of Slot Gacor

In the realm of online gambling, one term that has gained significant traction among enthusiasts is "Slot Gacor."...

New Beginnings in Huntsville: Transforming Divorce Challenges into Opportunities

Divorce marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. While it undoubtedly comes with its...