From the Guidelines
Lying on your stomach at 19 weeks pregnant is generally safe for short periods if it feels comfortable to you. At this stage, your uterus has expanded but still has some flexibility, and your baby is well-protected by amniotic fluid 1. However, as your pregnancy progresses, stomach-lying will naturally become more difficult and uncomfortable. Your body will likely signal you to change positions before any harm occurs. Many pregnant women find that using pillows for support or lying at a slight angle makes stomach-lying more comfortable. If you experience any pain, discomfort, or pressure while lying on your stomach, listen to your body and change positions.
Key Considerations
- As your pregnancy advances beyond 20 weeks, side-sleeping (particularly on your left side) becomes the recommended position as it optimizes blood flow to your baby and reduces pressure on major blood vessels 1.
- It is essential to note that after 20 weeks of gestation, patients should not lie supine during an endoscopic procedure to prevent aortocaval compression and maintain cardiac return 1.
- Always discuss any specific concerns about sleeping positions with your healthcare provider, as they can offer personalized advice based on your individual pregnancy.
Additional Guidance
- Pregnant women should accumulate at least 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity each week to achieve clinically meaningful health benefits and reductions in pregnancy complications 1.
- Physical activity should be accumulated over a minimum of 3 days per week; however, being active every day is encouraged 1.
- Pregnant women who experience light-headedness, nausea or feel unwell when they exercise flat on their back should modify their exercise position to avoid the supine position 1.
From the Research
Laying on the Stomach at 19 Weeks Gestation
- The provided studies do not directly address the safety of laying on the stomach at 19 weeks gestation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, studies suggest that the gravid uterus can compress the inferior vena cava (IVC) when a woman lies in the supine position, particularly during late pregnancy 3, 4, 5.
- At 19 weeks gestation, the uterus is still relatively small, and the risk of IVC compression may be lower compared to later stages of pregnancy.
- One study found that the size of the IVC increases with gestational progress in the left lateral position, but remains stationary in the supine position after 16 weeks gestation 3.
- Another study found that the supine position is associated with a reduction in cardiac output and an increase in collateral venous blood flow, likely as a response to IVC compression 4.
- While these findings do not directly relate to laying on the stomach, they suggest that the supine position may have some effects on maternal hemodynamics during pregnancy.
Recommendations
- There is no clear evidence to support or refute the safety of laying on the stomach at 19 weeks gestation.
- Women who are pregnant should consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice on safe sleeping positions and other aspects of pregnancy care 2.
- Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential risks and benefits of different sleeping positions during pregnancy and provide guidance based on individual patient needs.