You would think with all those pregnancy hormones triggering a desperate need to sleep, night-time would bring some relief for soon-to-be mums. Reality isn’t so dreamy, though. Studies have shown that during the first trimester, even though sleep times increase, the quality goes down. Adjusting to an expanding belly, frequently being awakened by baby or bladder, and the inability to just get comfortable as your pregnancy progresses are all culprits. The good news: better sleep lies ahead for both you and your baby – tell us more we hear you cry!!

Best Sleeping Positions during Pregnancy

In the first trimester, sleep in any position you want. And believe us, you need to soak it up, because that will be changing! As your belly starts to make itself known around 15 weeks or so, it’s time to adjust. Sleeping on your stomach and back are out – side sleeping is in.

Here’s why:

Issues with Stomach Sleeping while Pregnant

When baby gets big enough, sleeping on your stomach can cause pressure against your main arteries and stem proper blood flow. Plus, stomach sleeping generally doesn’t work once your belly reaches a certain size - unless you like sleeping on a beach ball!

Problems with Back Sleeping when Pregnant

Sleeping on your back causes similar issues, plus some. Back sleeping puts all the weight on your lower back and intestines. This might trigger worse backaches than you already have, and possible haemorrhoids and digestive difficulties. (Who wants that!?) Back sleeping also puts pressure on the aorta and inferior vena cava – the major blood vessels that carry blood to your heart from your legs and feet. The interference in your circulation can result in low blood pressure, which in turn lowers the blood flow to baby and decreases their oxygen and nutrient levels. No good.

The Solution is Side Sleeping During Pregnancy

Side sleeping is your best bet – and left-side sleeping, in particular has its benefits. It allows for optimal circulation, ensuring quality blood flow and nutrients for baby. Left-side sleeping also enhances kidney function for better waste elimination and less swelling of your extremities. Hallelujah!

How to Get Comfortable Enough to Sleep

For pregnant women, the struggle is real. Getting comfortable enough to sleep can be nearly impossible. To help, grab an extra pillow or two, lay on your side.

When you’re uncomfortable in bed, being able to switch positions is a huge plus. Unfortunately, you’re pregnant and you pretty much have one choice. Left side sleeping every single night can start to cause some hip pain, as if you don’t already have enough?! Give us a break, right?! Invest in an egg-crate foam topper for extra support and to ease some of the pressure on your hips. They are easy to find and offer an inexpensive investment for the relief you’ll get out of it. And when you lay down, bend your knees and pull them up a bit (below your pelvis) for some added comfort.

For side sleeping, Dreamgenii’s 2-in-1 Pregnancy Support Pillow provides the perfect solution. The Dreamgenii has a patented shape for ultimate support and the comfort you deserve but, unlike other pillows, its slim shape doesn’t require kicking your partner out of the bed in order to use it. Plus, it’s stuffed full of perks, like:

• Comfy back support keeps you from rolling onto your back while asleep
• The design encourages maximum blood flow between mum and baby during sleep
• The body length pillow gives you a soft place to support your bump and can be tucked between your knees for hip support
• The centre panel is flat, so the pillow can support your front and back at the same time without getting in the way
• When baby makes their debut, you can convert it to a feeding pillow for 2-in-1 convenience

It goes without saying that getting a good night’s sleep before baby arrives is pretty important – but it’s also important to your everyday health. Make happy sleeping a priority for you and baby and you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way.

You got this!