Can't sleep on the right side during late pregnancy?

Many pregnant mothers feel that they cannot sleep on their side, fearing that it will have a certain impact on the baby, so they dare not sleep on their side. In the late stages of pregnancy, the belly of a pregnant woman is relatively large, and it is inconvenient to move at this time. Sleeping on the left side is the best position, while sleeping on the right side may compress the blood supply tubes to the fetus.

Is it OK to sleep on the right side during late pregnancy?

In the late stages of pregnancy, it becomes increasingly difficult for expectant mothers to move around, and their sleep quality will also be affected. A scientific sleeping position is to ensure that pregnant women can sleep well. Should they sleep on their left side, right side or other sleeping positions? So, will sleeping on the right side in late pregnancy affect the fetus?

The best sleeping position during late pregnancy is lying on your left side. Sleeping in the left side position helps change the right rotation of the uterus, reduce the tension on uterine blood vessels, ensure blood flow to the placenta, and facilitate fetal development. The left lateral decubitus position helps change the right rotation of the uterus to an upright position, thereby achieving normal fetal position and delivery. Sleeping in the left side lying position can help the fetus to obtain oxygen and nutrients better and excrete carbon dioxide and waste. It can also avoid the compression of the inferior vena cava by the uterus, reduce limb edema of pregnant women, promote blood circulation and reduce the risk of premature birth. Therefore, the best sleeping position during pregnancy, especially in the late pregnancy, is to lie on the left 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.

What are the benefits of side sleeping during pregnancy

1. Correct the position of the uterus

After six weeks of pregnancy, the uterus begins to enlarge and, affected by other organs in the pelvic cavity, the uterus will rotate to the right. Uterine rotation will affect the blood supply to the uterus itself and cause fetal intrauterine hypoxia. Sleeping on the side, especially on the left side, can avoid or correct the right rotation of the uterus, improve intrauterine oxygen supply, and benefit fetal growth and development.

2. Provide nutrition to the fetus

The uterus is squeezed by surrounding organs and tissues, which affects blood flow. It will also cause a decrease in placental blood flow. The adequacy of placental blood flow has a direct impact on the growth and development of the fetus. Sleeping on your side during pregnancy can reduce the pressure of the uterus on the aorta and iliac artery, maintain normal blood flow in the uterine artery, ensure blood supply to the uterus, and provide the fetus with the nutrients needed for growth and development.

In fact, compared with sleeping on the left side, sleeping on the right side may cause some harm, but compared with sleeping on the back, the harm is smaller. Sleeping on the right side for a long time will aggravate the degree of right rotation of the uterus, and may also affect the blood supply to the fetus, causing chronic hypoxia of the fetus. Generally speaking, pregnant mothers can sleep by alternating between lying on the left and right side, whichever is more comfortable.

When sleeping in a supine position, the enlarged uterus directly compresses the inferior vena cava, affecting venous return in the lower limbs and pelvis, causing congestion and hypoxia in tissues and organs. The uterus has abundant blood flow during pregnancy. Long-term hypoxia can lead to intrauterine fetal hypoxia, developmental delay, and even fetal death in the womb.