Pregnant woman lying on the right side: Good or bad?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Pham Thi Tuyet Mai - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

Sleeping position is one of the decisive factors for sleep quality, especially in pregnant women. Some pregnant women sleep on their right side for comfort and sleep better during pregnancy while others choose to sleep on their left side. So which side should pregnant women sleep on and which side is good for the fetus?

1. What is the impact on pregnant women lying on their side?

During pregnancy, the uterus grows and becomes many times the size of the normal uterus in the last months of pregnancy. In addition, the axis of the uterus tends to be displaced to the right inside the abdomen and in front of major blood vessels such as the inferior vena cava. Many pregnant women complain that they find it difficult to fall asleep and sleep quality is reduced. Some of them choose to lie on the right side because it feels more comfortable, but which side should pregnant women really lie on for the health of both mother and baby?
In fact, the right side position may only be suitable and comfortable for some pregnant women. Many experts confirm that pregnant women lying on the right side do not pose any danger to the fetus. However, this position causes the uterine axis to shift to the right more, increasing pressure on the inferior vena cava, reducing the amount of blood from the lower extremities returning to the heart, leading to a decrease in blood from the mother to the fetus. In addition, some studies have shown that pregnant women who lie on their right side have a higher chance of having a preterm birth than those who sleep on their left side. In summary, the right side position during pregnancy has not been proven to harm the health of the fetus until now, but doctors still do not recommend pregnant women to keep this position while sleeping. If you feel most comfortable lying on your right side, pregnant women can still maintain this position.

2. Which side lying position is good for the fetus?

Many experts and doctors have chosen the left side sleeping position as the best position during pregnancy. Pregnant women should lie on their left side, knees slightly bent to the abdomen to bend the spine, raise the legs about 30 degrees. This position helps to bring the uterine axis to a neutral position, reduces pressure on blood vessels and organs in the abdomen, the spine is bent as physiologically and increases blood flow from the lower extremities to the heart. circulating in maternal blood. All these factors help the mother to be comfortable and have a good night's sleep, and at the same time, the circulation to the placenta to provide oxygen and nutrients to the fetus is ensured. Pregnant women sleeping on the left side can use extra pillows and pillows specifically for pregnant women. The head is raised above the bed surface at an angle of about 20 degrees to help the upper airway open, support breathing, digestion and limit the possibility of snoring during pregnancy. Pillows designed specifically for pregnant women have the effect of supporting the legs and back to help relieve pressure on the uterus and reduce the pressure of the body on one leg. This helps pregnant women feel more comfortable and sleep better.
Sleeping on your back or on your stomach are positions to avoid during pregnancy. When lying on the back, the entire weight of the fetus, the pregnant woman and the uterus presses on the great blood vessels, muscle mass, spine and abdominal organs. The reduced blood flow back to the heart leads to a decrease in blood flow to the fetus and affects the health of the fetus, the worst is fetal distress. In addition, sleeping on your back also causes pregnant women to drop blood pressure, retract the tongue later, causing narrowing of the pharynx and snoring while sleeping. The spine is subjected to a great deal of pressure causing pain in the joints or pain in the lumbar spine. Sleeping on your stomach is clearly an uncomfortable position given the size of the uterus during pregnancy, although the danger to the fetus is almost nonexistent because the fetus is protected by amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord.

3. Measures to help pregnant women get a good night's sleep

Maternal sleep is a factor affecting the health of the fetus and the quality of a pregnancy. In addition to choosing a good side lying position for the fetus, pregnant women can apply the following measures to improve sleep quality, including:
Should sleep in a cozy environment and comfort: the bedroom should be designed separately, soundproofed from the outside environment or in a quiet space, avoiding noisy areas. Beds need to be kept clean and cool. One thing that pregnant women need to keep in mind is to avoid using phones or computers before bedtime. Set a sleep schedule: set the time to go to bed and wake up scientifically, at fixed times of the day, making the human body remember and adapt gradually, easy to fall asleep and sleep deeper. Limit eating too full right before going to bed: pregnant women should eat dinner 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. Pregnancy causes the uterus to compress and increase intra-abdominal pressure, which is a favorable condition for the appearance of symptoms of reflux, belching. Going to bed right after dinner makes food and digestive juices still full in the stomach easily reflux into the esophagus, causing discomfort. In addition, the bladder is compressed by the uterus during pregnancy, so it is often stimulated to cause the feeling of needing to urinate. Drinking a lot of water before going to bed increases the frequency of nocturia and disrupts the sleep of pregnant women. Use specialized pillows for pregnant women: these are soft pillows, equivalent to the length of the body, placed under the mother's back and abdomen. Pillows specifically for pregnant mothers have the effect of reducing the pressure of the uterus on the mother's body, as well as making it easier to change positions while sleeping. Elevate your legs while sleeping: Pregnancy causes leg swelling and pain by restricting blood flow from the veins of the lower extremities to the heart. Pregnant women should raise their legs slightly about 30 degrees above the bed with pillows or soft cushions to increase blood circulation and create comfort for sleep.

Vinmec International General Hospital is the address chosen by many families during pregnancy. In particular, when pregnant women choose the Package Maternity Care Program right from the beginning of their pregnancy from the first months of pregnancy, they will be able to fully participate in antenatal check-ups, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds, and other health care providers. routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.
Pregnant women will be consulted and checked for health under the close supervision of experienced and specialized obstetricians, helping mothers gain more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as reduce pregnancy loss. reduce complications for mother and child.
Dr. Tuyet Mai has over 30 years of experience in examination and treatment in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, especially in lower-line surgery, family planning, specialized laparoscopic surgery, and multi-surgery management. heavy and difficult.

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