A woman’s body changes significantly during pregnancy, and comfort becomes more and more important, particularly when it comes to sleeping. When to stop sleeping on their stomachs is one of the most frequent queries from expectant mothers.
Certain sleeping positions may become uncomfortable or even dangerous for the baby as they grow. The majority of women begin to notice discomfort and make adjustments as early as the second trimester, though there isn’t a hard rule that works for everyone.
The ideal time to modify sleeping habits depends on a number of factors, including the size of the baby bump, individual comfort, and medical advice. Making the best decision for you and your child can be aided by being aware of these factors.
| Pregnancy Week | Reason for Not Sleeping on Stomach |
| 12-16 weeks | The uterus begins to grow, making it uncomfortable to lie on the stomach. |
| 20+ weeks | Increased pressure on the abdomen can affect blood flow and put strain on the baby. |
| 28+ weeks | Sleeping on the stomach can cause discomfort due to the baby"s size and movement. |
- Restriction periods
- Should you be afraid of an accidental coup?
- On the back
- Individual factors
- Video on the topic
- Sleep during pregnancy. Sleep during pregnancy. Is it possible to sleep on your stomach during pregnancy?
- From what stage of pregnancy you can’t sleep on your stomach. Interview with an obstetrician-gynecologist.
- Starting from what week of pregnancy you can’t sleep on your stomach and what does it depend on?
Restriction periods
It is especially difficult for women to give up the position on their stomach, who have been accustomed to sleeping like this since childhood. But while the uterus is small and is located in the small pelvis, it will not suffer, and no harm will be done to the child if the woman continues to sleep in the way that is most comfortable for her. The uterus begins to grow from the first days of pregnancy and increases gradually. Its bottom (the widest upper part) rises higher and one day leaves the small pelvis, moving to a temporary place in the abdominal cavity. This usually happens between the 10th and 12th week (if you count from the first day of your last period) or a little later. It depends on the physical condition of a particular expectant mother: on how she is built, how wide her hips are, on the location of the placenta and other factors.
Up to 10 weeks, therefore, a woman may not worry and continue to sleep in the position that she likes more than others. But gradually you need to accustom yourself to the idea that from the 3rd month of pregnancy everything will change: it will be impossible to sleep on your stomach, since the anterior abdominal wall will not be able to soften the pressure of the body weight on the uterus inside the cavity. The only possible and accessible position from the 3rd month and up until childbirth is often the position on the side. Despite the fact that sleeping on your stomach in the first and second months of pregnancy is possible, many women themselves refuse this position during sleep, intuitively feeling the danger that comes from this body position. In addition, it is not always comfortable to rest on your stomach even in the early stages: after all, your breasts can swell and hurt, and already in the early stages, many women are accompanied by a feeling of fullness, distension in the lower abdomen.
The conclusion is straightforward: although the pubic symphysis protects the uterus, sleeping on the stomach is not forbidden. Sleeping on the stomach is not permitted as soon as the tummy starts to grow.
Should you be afraid of an accidental coup?
Often, women in position complain of insomnia and explain it not by anxiety and bad mood, but by the inconvenience of the position. There is a strong psychological factor in this phenomenon: a woman is consciously very afraid of accidentally turning over onto her stomach in her sleep, and therefore sleeps restlessly – fear does not allow her to relax and have a good rest. There is no need to be afraid of an accidental coup. As soon as the uterus begins to leave the confines of the small pelvis, the woman"s body itself knows what is best for her and how it is safer. Even if a woman sleeps soundly, her brain continues to work, and the central nervous system vigilantly monitors all processes in the body. When a threat appears, the brain will immediately give a command – and the woman will take a comfortable position, without realizing it.
On the back
One of the most beneficial sleeping positions is the back, which allows for the greatest amount of relaxation. However, this position should also be handled carefully and sensibly during pregnancy. In the third trimester and in the weeks leading up to delivery, it is not advised to sleep on your back.
It’s usually advised to avoid sleeping on your stomach between weeks 16 and 18 of pregnancy because the expanding tummy can put pressure on internal organs and cause discomfort. The important thing is to pay attention to your body. A woman’s body and the baby’s growth can affect this timing. Side sleeping turns out to be the safest choice as the pregnancy goes on, for both the mother and the unborn child.
Individual factors
- Pelvic width. In women with wide hips, the belly is distributed evenly, the small pelvis is more capacious, and therefore the uterus leaves its boundaries later. In women with a narrow pelvis, the belly sometimes appears earlier than 12 weeks.
- Weight of the pregnant woman and complexion. Overweight women can hide pregnancy longer, since the belly is not visible. This, however, does not mean that the uterus still remains in the small pelvis. And therefore you need to be more attentive to your well-being: if you feel full in the lower abdomen, it is time to change your position and sleep on your side.
It is generally advised against sleeping on your stomach by the second trimester. Sleeping on your stomach can cause discomfort and put pressure on the growing bump as the uterus expands and the baby grows. This typically occurs in the 16th to 20th week of pregnancy for most women.
Since every pregnancy is unique, it’s critical to pay attention to your body. Some women may find it uncomfortable sooner, even though some feel fine sleeping on their stomach for longer. As your pregnancy goes on, adjusting your sleeping position can help make sure you and your unborn child are secure and comfortable.
Doctors frequently advise switching to sleeping on your side, particularly the left side, as this improves blood flow to the unborn child and relieves pressure on internal organs. As your body adjusts to pregnancy, side sleeping can also be more comfortable when you use pillows for support.
