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Many girls like to sleep on their stomachs, moreover, many of them can only fall asleep in this position. When planning a future pregnancy, many people have reasonable questions about whether pregnant women can sleep in this position and how long it can be done? The EMC obstetrician-gynecologist answers these and other questions., Olga Panfilova.
Is it possible to sleep on your stomach in the first trimester?
Of course, a calm and full rest at night is very important for well-being and mood. This is especially true for a woman expecting a child, because it is she who often has problems sleeping, not least related to the poses she usually assumes in her sleep. Including the position on the stomach. However, in the early stages of pregnancy, you can safely continue to do this. The uterus is still so small and, moreover, so reliably protected by the pubic bones that this body position is not capable of causing any harm to a developing baby. If the usual posture has begun to cause you discomfort, then, most likely, this is due to the so-called inflection of the uterus, which occurs due to the fact that the tissues of this organ soften, especially in the isthmus area. Another reason for the inconvenience may be the mammary glands, which begin to gradually increase in size and become painful. If you encounter similar difficulties, it's time to find more comfortable sleeping positions, for example, try to fall asleep lying on your back. And even better, in the early stages, to teach yourself to sleep on your side. You will definitely appreciate the benefits of the newly acquired habit later, when your stomach reaches such a size that even the very idea of trying to sleep on it will seem ridiculous.

Is it possible to sleep on your stomach in the second trimester?
In the second trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother can already boast of a bulky belly, which means the baby has grown up inside it. And even if he is reliably protected by the membranes, amniotic fluid, muscles of the uterus and the press, lying on your stomach, you still put pressure on the baby. And just imagining that you are lying on your child, you are unlikely to be able to fall asleep peacefully. At this stage of pregnancy, you can still sleep on your back, but it's best to lie on your side, so you can make your stomach as comfortable as possible.
Is it possible to sleep on your stomach in the third trimester?
In the third trimester of pregnancy, sleeping on the back of the expectant mother is no longer recommended. The growing uterus puts additional pressure on the blood vessels located behind the abdominal cavity. When you lie on your back, this pressure prevents the normal circulation of blood, which should flow to the baby from the lower part of your body. You can feel for yourself how uncomfortable this position is by noticing that it becomes difficult for you to breathe when you are lying on your back.

The only acceptable position of the body during sleep at this stage of pregnancy will be a pose on the side. To improve blood circulation, it is better to lift your legs a little: when you are lying on your side, put a pillow under your upper leg. To facilitate the work of the kidneys and improve the outflow of bile, it is optimal to sleep on the left side. But if you are worried about discomfort in the heart area, it is better to turn over to the right. Many women claim that special pillows for pregnant women bring great relief, providing the entire body with the most comfortable position during sleep.
You can get detailed answers to the most burning questions during pregnancy in the framework of EMC Mom schools
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