What is the best postition to sleep in?

Question

I have always slept on my stomach but I was just recently pregnant so I had to sleep another way.

Pregnant women can't lay flat on their backs as all the baby weight presses on an artery (vein? well, blood vessel!).

It is hard to stay laying on your side without putting a pillow or something under your baby belly or you kind of end up rolling on to it and that hurts you (the baby is actually fine because they are surrounded but so much fluid and muscle and stuff it is painful for mom!). I spent the last handful of months on the sofa since it allowed me to kind of mush thing around so I could get sort of comfortable.

Now that the babies out I am sleeping on my tummy again but when I wake up to her cries my arms are sleep!

I lost weight (24 pounds) while I was pregnant so it isn't weight gain.

We have a great mattress and a memory foam thing on the bed.

So all this leaves me wondering what is the healthiest way to sleep.

Answer 1

I have been told that sleeping on your back is the healthiest position to sleep in.
When a person sleeps on their back, it does no damage to your body. Where as, if a person sleeps on their sides, they risk back injury because the spine tends to curve while lying on your side... and lying on your stomach also causes the spine to curve and puts the arms in an aqward position.
As I've heard, it is difficult for MOST people to sleep on their backs all night. This would be something that you would have to train your body to get used to.

Answer 2

What is the best position for sleeping and lying down?
No matter what position you lie in, the pillow should be under your head, but not your shoulders, and should be a thickness that allows your head to be in a normal position.

Try to sleep in a position, which helps you maintain the curve in your back (such as on your back with a pillow under your knees or a lumbar roll under your lower back; or on your side with your knees slightly bent). Do not sleep on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest. You may want to avoid sleeping on your stomach, especially on a saggy mattress, since this can cause back strain and can be uncomfortable for your neck.

Select a firm mattress and box spring set that does not sag. If necessary, place a board under your mattress. You can also place the mattress on the floor temporarily if necessary. If you've always slept on a soft surface, it may be more painful to change to a hard surface. Try to do what's most comfortable for you.

Try using a back support (lumbar support) at night to make you more comfortable. A rolled sheet or towel tied around your waist may be helpful.

When standing up from the lying position, turn on your side, draw up both knees and swing your legs on the side of the bed. Sit up by pushing yourself up with your hands. Avoid bending forward at your waist.

Answer 3

I don't think you should be forced to sleep in a way in which you are not comfortable.....The best position is the one in which you are most comfortable and it may vary from person to person..As far as I know sleep is supposed to be a relaxation period after a days hard work and you should yourself find the position best suited for your body..size..shape..etc...
I have heard that lying on the right side is a good position as it would enhance the blood flow within the body and the pumping activity of the heart...but still I recommend you not to take other people's advice in this matter....and try to find the best relaxed position for your body yourself...because no one understands your body better than yourself....

Answer 4

You sound just like me,,,,,I am a belly sleeper, and when i was pregnant, I slept on my side, I am still a belly sleeper, and my baby is now grown up, and I am a belly sleeping grandma, I also lost weight when I was pregnant, I lost thirty pounds, I was fat, and eating right, so I lost weight, it was the best time....I loved being pregnant...good luck...all will work out..

Answer 5

Its instinct at the end of the day. As you said, side laying is good for pregnancy...especially on the left side to encourage blood flow to the fetus.Mostly a person chose to lie on their back while other choose on their stomach - it does encourage to expeand your lungs more this way.Fetal positioning is good for the spine, especially those who have back problems.

Answer 6

talk to a doc about blood pressure check .but first try a body pillow while on your back across ur chest allowing circulation and a comfortable level of support

Answer 7

Laying in your husbands arms sounds like the best position & is oh so comforting.

Answer 8

cuddle up with a pillow on ur side?