Sleeping on left or right during pregnancy? There is a “right” way

August 05, 2011 12:00 AM by

As your pregnancy progresses, finding a comfortable way to sleep can start to feel like an arduous task. With your giant belly in the way, lying on your stomach becomes impossible, and resting on your back can make it feel like your baby is crushing your internal organs. So what's the most comfortable and safest way for pregnant women to get their 40 winks?

If you want to get a little shuteye while keeping things as comfy as possible for both you and your baby, you'll want to sleep on your left side. Doing so may help improve blood flow to the placenta, and it'll also help your kidneys eliminate waste products your body has accumulated throughout the day – which will reduce swelling in your legs, ankles and feet.

Of course, it's tough to sleep in one position all night long, so switching from side to side is acceptable. And sleeping on your back should be avoided at all costs – it puts the full weight of your uterus on your spine, intestines and other organs, which can cause complications and might lead to sleep apnea or snoring.
 

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