The short explanation
In later pregnancy, many doctors advise going to sleep on your side rather than on your back. Lying flat on your back for long periods can press on major blood vessels, reducing blood flow, and some research has linked going to sleep on the back in the third trimester with a higher risk of stillbirth. Side sleeping, on either side, is generally recommended. If you wake up on your back, do not panic. Simply turn onto your side. Pillows behind your back, between your knees or under your bump can make side sleeping more comfortable.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Many women find it harder to sleep in later pregnancy because of the bump, back pain, heartburn, needing to pass urine and baby movements.
- Avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime and raising the head slightly may ease heartburn.
- Snoring that is new in pregnancy, especially with headaches or swelling, should be mentioned to your doctor, as it can be linked to blood pressure problems.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you about the health of your own pregnancy. Your obstetrician can advise on anything specific to you.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Which sleeping position do you recommend for me?
- What can I do about heartburn at night?
- Is my snoring something to worry about?
- How should I monitor the baby's movements?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the labour ward immediately if the baby is moving less than usual, or you have bleeding, severe headache or blurred vision.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you have new swelling of face or hands, or a severe headache.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Discuss sleep difficulties at your next antenatal appointment.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Sleep disorders MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Insomnia NHS
- Insomnia MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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