If you are a stomach sleeper, you may wonder if you can lie on your stomach while pregnant. The good news is that stomach-lying is completely safe in the early stages of your pregnancy. However, that may change as your pregnancy progresses.

"Lying on your stomach is fine during pregnancy, but it may be harder to do in the third trimester," notes Kim Langdon, MD, an Ohio-based OB-GYN with more than 20 years of experience.

While there are certainly a lot of dos and don'ts during pregnancy, lying on your stomach in the first trimester is not forbidden. Here's what you need to know about lying on your stomach while pregnant, including how it may even benefit you in some cases.

Is It Safe to Lie on Your Stomach While Pregnant?

According to a 2018 study in BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, it is safe for pregnant people to lie on their stomachs for short periods of time.

The study specifically looked at pregnant people with preeclampsia, so their pregnancies were high-risk. It concluded there was no risk to short periods of sleeping or lying on the stomach during pregnancy.

Peace Nwegbo-Banks, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN and creator of Unwind & Chat events, says that lying on your abdomen while pregnant does not harm the baby in any way. But, as your belly grows, you may find that this position is no longer your go-to because it can cause discomfort as the uterus grows

Risks of Lying on Your Stomach While Pregnant

The only risk you should be aware of with sleeping positions is that lying on your back or right side might increase the chance of cutting off oxygen and nutrients to your baby if you are 28 weeks along or further.

Lying on your left side keeps you from putting pressure on important blood vessels that may restrict blood flow to your baby later in pregnancy, notes Alan Lindemann, MD, an obstetrician and maternal mortality expert and co-author of Modern Medicine: What You’re Dying to Know.

In general, you want to avoid laying or sleeping on your back during pregnancy, as it could pose a risk to your baby. Always check with a health care provider if your pregnancy is high risk or if you have any questions or concerns about the best position to rest and sleep in during pregnancy.

Why Do People Lie on Their Stomachs While Pregnant?

Getting quality sleep can become more of a challenge during pregnancy. You may be completely exhausted, experience insomnia, need more shut-eye than usual, or your baby bump may make it hard to get into a comfortable resting position.

Some people choose sleeping on their stomachs because they get their best rest in the prone position (on your stomach). If you enjoy lying on your stomach, you may want to use a pregnancy or nursing pillow to help you lie comfortably as your baby bump grows. You could also position a donut pillow so that your baby bump falls right into the donut's center.

Later in pregnancy, as your bump grows, lying on your stomach may no longer be comfortable. In this case, you can find another safe position, like your left side, or balance halfway between your side and your back.

Benefits of Lying on Your Stomach During Pregnancy

Lying on your stomach while pregnant may help you stay comfortable and help you avoid lying in positions that are not considered safe.

Here are some ways you may benefit from lying on your stomach.

Might lead to better sleep

If you sleep best on your stomach, know that you can rest safely in your preferred position. Sleep is not always easy to come by when you have a baby on the way.

Whether it is anxiety about becoming a parent or you are overwhelmed by pregnancy-related fatigue, anything you can do to sleep better while pregnant can help.

May help you avoid unsafe positions

Lying on your stomach is fine during pregnancy, but there are other positions that are not always safe as your pregnancy progresses. Choosing to sleep on your stomach may help you ensure that you do not lie in other unsafe positions.

After week 28, you should avoid lying on your back. Sleeping or resting in this position may compress the inferior vena cava, a major vein that returns blood from your lower body to your heart. Meanwhile, resting on your right side later in pregnancy may compress the aorta, the main artery responsible for pumping blood throughout the body.

Compressing either the inferior vena cava or the aorta may decrease blood flow to your baby. It can also lead to preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Could relieve muscle soreness

Standing or sitting up all day with the weight of your baby bump pulling your torso forward can leave you with an aching lower back and tight hips. Lying on your stomach may help you release your sore muscles so you can find some relief.

When to Avoid Lying on Your Stomach During Pregnancy

While lying on your stomach is generally considered safe during the early stages of pregnancy, always listen to your body. If it hurts or feels uncomfortable, choose another position.

You also should talk to a healthcare provider if you have any concerns. Together, you can decide the best sleeping position for you as well as discuss whether or not it is recommended for you to lie on your stomach while pregnant.