Sleeping at 39 weeks pregnant is difficult but it’s the time when a woman needs to get as much rest as is possible. If sleep is proving elusive, stay in bed and breathe deeply and visualise baby while breathing deeply.
It is extremely important that you try to avoid sleeping on your back, as this will decrease circulation for both you and your baby and can increase risk of still birth. Sleeping on your back can also encourage more back pain. The recommendation to avoid sleeping on your back is particularly important after 20 weeks due to the weight of the uterus cutting off blood flow to itself.
Also, sleeping on your stomach later in pregnancy can be quite difficult due to the increasing size of your bump.
It is recommended that you sleep on your side, preferably your left side, while pregnant. Sleeping on your side allows for maximum blood flow to your baby and helps with kidney function. Many mothers find that pillows will help you get comfortable. Place a pregnancy sleep pillow between your knees and sleep with your knees slightly bent. You can also put pillows under your bump to help support it and place a pillow at your back to help support your lower back.
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