Sleeping on your side from 28 weeks of pregnancy has been shown to have to reduce the risk of stillbirth.
***Key Points***
- Sleep on your side after 28 weeks of pregnancy for any episode of sleep.
- Including sleeping overnight or taking a nap during the day time.
- Either on your right or left side.
***Key Points***
***Sleeping on your side***
There have been several international research studies about women’s sleeping position during pregnancy. These studies have shown that women who go to sleep on their back have a higher chance of having a stillborn baby compared women who sleep on their backs after 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Research shows that going-to-sleep on your side from 28 weeks of pregnancy can halve your risk of stillbirth, compared to going-to-sleep on your back.
After 28 weeks of pregnancy, lying on your back presses on major blood vessels which can reduce blood flow to your uterus and the oxygen supply to your baby.
Either your left or right side is fine. It’s normal to change position during sleep and many pregnant women wake up on their back. It happens a lot. The important thing is to start every sleep lying on your side (both for daytime naps and at night). If you wake up on your back, just roll over on your side.
Go to sleep on your side for anytime you sleep:
- Going to sleep at night
- Returning to sleep after any night wakenings
- Naps during the daytime
***Sleeping on your side***
***Tips***
Tips for going to sleep on your side in the last three months of pregnancy
- You can make it more comfortable, and easier to stay on your side, by bending your knees then putting a pillow between them.
- If you wake during the night, check your position and go back to sleep on your side. Either left or right is fine.
- Pay the same attention to sleep position during the day as you would during the night.
***Tips***
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