The nurse caring for a pregnant patient knows that her health teaching regarding fetal circulation has been effective when the patient reports that she has been sleeping ­­_______

Sleeping on the left side enhances venous return and optimizes uteroplacental blood flow by preventing compression of the inferior vena cava and aorta by the gravid uterus. This position promotes better oxygen and nutrient delivery to the fetus while reducing maternal hypotension, dizziness, and edema. Supine or right-side sleeping can impair circulation, leading to decreased cardiac output and fetal perfusion, especially in later pregnancy.