Is it OK to Sleep on Your Stomach When Pregnant?

Sleeping on your stomach when you’re pregnant — is it OK? Are there trimesters you can or can’t sleep on your stomach? What is the best sleeping position to sleep during pregnancy?

Well, it depends…

First off, every person is different, so definitely ask your doctor before you take my advice. You may have back or placental issues that would be better positioned another way.

WHY should you take my advice, I’m Hilary — I’ve been a Labor & Delivery RN (Registered Nurse) since 2001. So, I’ve answered a LOT of questions about pregnancy sleep….

Can you sleep on your stomach during the first trimester?

In general, yes. As long as you find it comfortable, you can do that. And, for quite a few weeks it will feel fine.

However, as you progress into your pregnancy, you’ll start to feel a lump in the baby area.

At this point, it is probably not dangerous to keep sleeping on your stomach, but it will start to be uncomfortable.

At that point, I’d stop sleeping on my stomach.

BTW, I have a whole post on Pregnancy Sleep that you might enjoy. 🙂

I also have a best-selling Online Prenatal Class that answers all your burning questions (like this one).

Is it safe to sleep on your back when you’re pregnant?

Once you hit about 20 weeks, you should stop sleeping on your back, it can cut off blood flow to your body by all the weight pushing directly on your circulatory system.

What can happen if you sleep on your back during pregnancy?

This all sounds really freaky, right? But I think if that was really happening, your body would know to wake up and shift position.

I used to wake up on my back frequently, thinking I had ruined my baby — but a manager told me that above, and it makes sense.

Best way to sleep during the 2nd and third trimester?

The best way is to lay on your side. They have SAID the best way to sleep is on your left, that it helped promote blood flow, but I recently heard that it doesn’t actually matter. Either side is fine.

I also recommend using a body pillow as it helps support your hips. I talk about all sorts of other ways to sleep better during pregnancy.

You can also sleep “tilted” — in which case you usually shove a pillow behind your hip so that you don’t end up flat on your back (if you can help it).

The key is not having a direct straight down pressure, by tilting, your uterus rolls off your Vena Cava (your big ol’ blood vessel that takes blood to your body).

What if I want to sleep on my stomach?

It SOUNDS good, but it really wouldn’t be comfortable for you, or the baby. You CAN sleep pretty far onto your side — often comfy with your leg up on a pillow. We call this “Sims” position in the hospital. It often helps your baby move well.

FAQ’s on Best Sleeping Positions during Pregnancy

What’s the best sleeping position during your first month of pregnancy?

It doesn’t matter, your baby is so small, your organs and muscle cushion it enough it dosen’t matter

Sleeping position during pregnancy 5th month

I recommend people sleep on their side, or at least tilted a bit (usually with a pillow behind your back so you don’t go flat).

Sleeping position during pregnancy 3rd month

It depends on how you’re counting “3rd month” — I would gauge it on how comfortable it is. If your stomach is still comfortable, you should be OK. But, soon you’ll want to switch to back or side.

If you liked this post, be sure to grab my free birth plan, and check out my other pregnancy posts below that!