Benefits of lying on the left side during pregnancy

For many pregnant mothers, as the fetus grows, sleeping every night is very tiring. At this time, many pregnant women will choose to sleep on their left side. In fact, lying on the left side has great benefits for pregnant mothers. First of all, it can reduce the physical burden of mothers and allow the body to get enough rest. At the same time, it can also provide plenty of space for the fetus to move around.

The left side lying position is the best sleeping position in the late pregnancy. The effects of pregnant women lying on the left side are as follows:

1. Sleeping on the left side can reduce the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the aorta and iliac artery of pregnant women, maintain normal blood flow in the uterine artery, ensure blood supply to the placenta, and provide the fetus with the nutrients needed for growth and development.

2. Pregnant women sleeping on their left side can reduce the pressure of the pregnant uterus on the inferior vena cava and increase the blood flow returning to the heart. The increase in the amount of blood returning to the heart can increase the blood flow to the kidneys, improve the blood supply to the brain tissue, and help avoid and alleviate the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

3. In the late pregnancy, the uterus rotates to the right. Sleeping on the left side can improve the degree of right rotation of the uterus, thereby reducing uterine vascular tension, increasing placental blood flow, improving the oxygen supply to the fetus in the uterus, and promoting fetal growth and development. This is of great significance for reducing the birth of low-birth-weight babies and reducing perinatal mortality. Especially when the fetus is growth-retarded, sleeping on the left side can achieve better treatment results.

Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to sleep on their left side for good pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the health of mother and baby. If a pregnant woman has lower limb edema or varicose veins in the legs, it is best to raise her legs appropriately while sleeping on her left side to facilitate blood circulation and reduce lower limb edema.

Precautions for sleeping positions in late pregnancy

1. Best sleeping position: lying on your left side.

The best sleeping position in the late pregnancy is lying on the left side. This sleeping position helps change the right rotation of the uterus, reduce the tension on uterine blood vessels, ensure blood flow to the placenta, and benefit the development of the fetus.

2. Avoid sleeping on your back or on your right side.

It is not advisable to sleep on your back or on your right side during the late pregnancy. This is because sleeping on your back or on your right side will compress the inferior vena cava, affecting blood circulation and reducing blood circulation in the lower limbs; while sleeping on the right side will affect the blood supply to the fetus, causing chronic hypoxia in the fetus and bringing serious effects to the fetus. Therefore, in the late pregnancy, try not to sleep on your back or on your right side. Of course, it is impossible to maintain only one sleeping position all night, so you can alternate between lying on your left or right side.

If a pregnant woman has lower limb edema or varicose veins in the legs, it is best to raise the legs appropriately while lying on the left side to facilitate blood circulation and reduce lower limb edema.