The placenta that functions to nourish and protect your baby during pregnancy should be at the top of the uterus, if it settles at the bottom then this is called placenta previa. If you are diagnosed with this condition then you need to pay attention to the sleeping position of pregnant women with placenta previa .
This is a relatively rare pregnancy complication. Early diagnosis can help your doctor treat the condition.
Baby Position with Placenta Previa
Placenta previa is a relatively rare pregnancy complication. This condition causes the placenta to implant low in the uterus and cover part or all of the cervix.
Currently, placenta previa is defined as any condition in which the placenta covers part or all of the cervix. Previously, several other conditions were also included in placenta previa including:
- Marginal previa is when the placenta is within 2 centimeters of the cervix but does not physically cover it.
- Partial previa is when the placenta covers part of the cervical opening.
- Complete previa is when the placenta covers the entire opening of the cervix
In all cases of previa, the placenta physically blocks the opening of the birth canal (vagina) in some way. This can cause bleeding during pregnancy and labor, and can affect how your baby is born.
Sleeping Positions for Pregnant Women with Placenta Previa
If you are diagnosed with placenta previa , your doctor may recommend that you limit activities, such as exercise, walking or standing for long periods of time. Some doctors may recommend that you rest in bed.
Therefore, it is important to know the sleeping position of pregnant women with placenta previa. The comfort of sleeping for pregnant women is not easy to get when the uterus is getting bigger and the pain in the back and legs is getting worse. However, mothers still have to have good quality sleep to maintain the health of themselves and the baby in the womb.
Quoted from the American Pregnancy Association , the best sleeping position during pregnancy is sleeping on your side or known as “SOS” (sleep on side). This position can provide the best circulation for you and your baby.
Most experts recommend sleeping on your left side with your knees slightly bent. A study cited by the Sleep Doctor found that 91% of pregnant women slept on their side in the last week of pregnancy, which is in line with public health recommendations.
While there is some debate among experts about whether pregnant women should sleep on their left or right side, evidence suggests that sleeping on either side is fine. As long as you sleep on your side, you will still get good blood flow.
Sleeping on your side puts less pressure on your blood vessels and internal organs. Sleeping on your left side increases the amount of blood and nutrients that reach your placenta and baby. Plus, good circulation helps reduce the potential for swelling, varicose veins in your legs and hemorrhoids.
You can try using a few extra pillows to get more comfortable while sleeping on your side, especially if you’re not used to this sleeping position. Try tucking a pillow under your belly, or adding a thin pillow between your knees to help relieve pressure on your lower back. Some pregnant women find that hugging a pillow or placing a pillow under their lower back helps them sleep better.
Avoid sleeping on your back during pregnancy as it can cause back pain and put pressure on the vena cava. The vena cava is one of the body’s major veins, so it can interfere with blood flow and cause dizziness.
Prohibited Sleeping Positions for Pregnant Women
Although finding a comfortable position to sleep in late pregnancy is quite difficult, mothers should still be aware of positions that are dangerous for the fetus. Avoid the following pregnant sleeping positions to keep you and your baby safe:
- Sleeping on your back, this can cause back pain, respiratory problems, digestive system, hemorrhoids, low blood pressure and cause decreased circulation to your heart and your baby. This is because your growing belly is resting on your intestines and major blood vessels (aorta and vena cava). It can also cause sleep apnea as you gain weight.
- Sleeping on your stomach, as you enter the last trimester of pregnancy, your breasts become more tender and your belly continues to grow, both of which can make sleeping on your stomach uncomfortable. Using a donut-shaped pillow (with a hole in the middle) can help you sleep on your stomach comfortably.
Pregnant Women’s Sleeping Equipment with Placenta Previa
To get the best quality sleep, you can prepare the following equipment:
Prepare Enough Pillows and Bolsters
Prepare a pillow, bolster or rolled blanket and place it under your stomach, between your legs, or on your back. This can help you feel comfortable when lying down, especially with the increasing size of your belly. You can also try using a special pillow for pregnant women if necessary.
Use a Night Light
Lights that are too bright often interfere with vision and make it difficult for pregnant women to close their eyes. While a completely dark room can also be uncomfortable. For that, mothers can use a night light with dim light. This can help mothers fall back asleep after frequently waking up at night due to having to urinate.
Book or Journal
Bedtime has arrived but sleepiness still hasn’t come? Moms can put aside your phone first and switch to reading a book or writing a journal. These activities are more calming and can make your eyes tired and relaxed for sleep faster.
Sleep Patterns of Pregnant Women with Placenta Previa
Pregnant women with placenta previa should increase their rest time and limit heavy activities. However, during pregnancy, sleep is not as comfortable as usual. In addition, you will also wake up more often throughout the night, especially in the third trimester, to urinate.
For that, you can work around the pregnancy sleep pattern by starting to sleep earlier than usual and make time for a nap. Also try doing the following:
- Rest as much as you can during the day.
- Evening walk
- Avoid tea and coffee before bed
- Relax before bed by taking a bath, reading, listening to music, watching TV or rubbing your back.
Why is Sleep During Pregnancy Important?
Quoted from the Sleep Foundation , quality sleep during pregnancy is important for both mother and baby. For mothers, staying up late at night can cause fatigue and drowsiness during the day. In addition, sleep also plays a role in maintaining memory, learning, appetite, mood, and decision making. All of which are important when preparing to welcome your soon-to-be-born baby.
Chronic sleep deprivation impacts the immune system. Some researchers believe this may be part of the reason why sleep deprivation has such a significant impact on maternal and fetal health. And since sleep helps regulate blood sugar, it’s no surprise that sleep deprivation during pregnancy appears to be linked to gestational diabetes mellitus.
Studies have also shown that pregnant women who sleep too much or too little in early pregnancy are more likely to develop high blood pressure in the third trimester. Severe sleep deprivation in early pregnancy can also increase the risk of preeclampsia , a condition that can lead to premature labor and long-term complications for the mother’s heart, kidneys, and other organs.
Although more research is needed to control for other variables, sleep deprivation is a risk factor for preterm birth, low birth weight, painful labor, cesarean delivery, and depression. Evidence also suggests that poor sleep quality during pregnancy may contribute to sleep problems and crying in babies after they are born.
That’s Mom about the sleeping position of pregnant women with placenta previa that is important to know. As much as possible find a comfortable and safe position to sleep in the last trimester of pregnancy, because it can affect the safety of the fetus.
Quality sleep can also make pregnant women fresher and more enthusiastic in carrying out daily activities. Hopefully this article is useful.
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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
