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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Sleeping on your left

18 replies

ct148 · 16/03/2011 18:20

I've read that when pregnant you're supposed to try and sleep on your left side? I'm 17 weeks, and although I can avoid sleeping on my back, I do seem to like sleeping on my right quite a lot! Will it do my baby any harm do you think?

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CBear6 · 16/03/2011 18:23

With DS I slept in my right side pretty much all the way through, one because I preferred it and two because later in the pregnancy I was uncomfortable laying on my left.

It's supposedly better for your circulation but only by a fraction so sleeping on your right won't do any harm.

greenzebra · 16/03/2011 18:26

I sleep on my right mostly because I have a painful left side due to a muscle pull, and also I hate hearing my heart beat in my left ear. Im 30 weeks now.

trixie123 · 16/03/2011 18:37

I heard this too but can't for the life of me work out why it should make the slightest difference. Will watch with interest!

notthewowy · 16/03/2011 18:39

I sleep however I am comfortable. Mostly that's on my back. Apparently there's some evidence to suggest that the weight of the uterus can somehow lower blood pressure but then I think that people have successfully reproduced for millenia without the benefit of scientific studies. Also whenever you're examined or monitored during pregnancy they don't make you do it lying on your left side do they?

Still, you have to look at the suggestions yourself and assess the risks and then do whatever you think is sensible. I wouldn't listen to a nine month pregnant lady who rides a racing bike, drinks wine and eats blue cheese.

peanutbutterontoast · 16/03/2011 19:59

it's because when the uterus is very large towards to end of pregnancy lying on the right side (or your back) can mean that it puts pressure on the inferior vena cava (big vein taking blood back to your heart) which in turn can reduce blood flow out of the heart & to the placenta/baby. TBH you'd probably wake up feeling fairly breathless if it was causing problems but if you have a baby who is distressed for some reason it have a negative effect (in hospitals they have foam wedges to keep you on your left side).

more here

stegasaurus · 16/03/2011 20:00

I haven't even managed to work out how to avoid sleeping on my back so I'm no help! I fall asleep on my side, usually left side, but generally wake up on my back and DH says I am usually sleeping on my back when he comes to bed a couple of hours later. Whatever I do with pillows, including a maternity pillow, it doesn't stop me ending up on my back. However, it is only 13yrs since my mum had her last child and she was surprised when I told her that it is only recommended to sleep on left side, so obviously women and babies have managed fine for most of history.

Coppernoddle · 16/03/2011 20:02

I sleep in every direction, side, upside down, back to front, twisted sleeping on my head possible!!!! I'm 19 weeks and wriggle to my hearts content!! I'm a deep sleeper and find myself in the funniest positions! Complete with as much drool as a teething toddler!!! Oh yes! I'm a gorgeous sleeper!! Am I bothered, no! Am I getting enough comfortable sleep? Definitely! Is it not going to be long before I hate sleep times? Oh yes!!! Relax!
Enjoy it whilst you have the chance!!! I spent nearly the whole of my first pregnancy on my back, not on purpose, just woke up like that! Use pillows and prop yourself up a little.

MainlyMaynie · 16/03/2011 20:08

I can't stay on my left for very long due to my PGP. I asked if this was a problem and was told no, sleeping on my right is fine. There are some small advantages for both you and the baby, due to better blood flow if you lie on the left but no risk to lying on the right.

growing3rdbump · 16/03/2011 20:10

I'm now 31 weeks pregnant with 3rd baby am very huge and achy throughout the night. I usually start off sleeping on my right, then when I wake up from my aching weight I turn over... this continues throughout the night until DC2 wakes me up! . Have had to send DH to sleep on the floor which has helped me get a better nights sleep!!!

MrsBloomingTroll · 16/03/2011 21:03

OP, thanks for starting this thread, I have been meaning to start one for the past week or so!

I slept on my left religiously when pregnant with DD1 but since she was born and we moved to new house I got into the habit of sleeping on my right so that I could hear DD1 crying.

Now pregnant with DC2 and, in spite of using Dream Genii pillow, I keep finding myself on my right side.

I sleep on the left side of the bed, DH sleeps on the right and he sleeps on his right side too, so that if I sleep on my left I end up face-to-face with him and, much though I love him, I can't sleep very well with him breathing in my face!

I've been really worried about this.

jenniec79 · 16/03/2011 21:06

It's just to stop the bump squashing the big veins which are slightly to the right at the back of your abdomen. Lying on your right is fine too, just don't want to be completely flat with a big bump.

If you have a c-section you'll be 15 degrees left side up for the same reason.

BlingLoving · 16/03/2011 21:58

Honestly, I would not let this worry you. For a start, it's one of those things I have only ever seen in books etc - not a single doctor of midwife has ever told me this. So I would say take the sleep you can, no matter how you find yourself positioned.

If you are unlucky enough to experience blood pressure or nerve problems, then perhaps you should start thinking about it again

PipPipPip · 16/03/2011 22:23

Sleep wherever you can sleep, and enjoy every minute of it!!

growing3rdbump · 17/03/2011 09:20

Completely agree - don't worry about it. I turned from left to right throughout last night as hips were really aching and I have no worries.

autumnberry · 17/03/2011 14:03

There are also some people/books that suggest that sleeping on your left helps baby go into an LOA position for birth (the 'best' position - with his spine running down the left side of your bump and his head down). This is not my experience. I have slept mostly on my right side since back sleeping became uncomfortable at about 30 weeks. Baby has been resolutely LOA since 25 week midwife check. Listen to your body and you'll be fine.

CountBapula · 17/03/2011 14:09

I had to sleep on my right when heavily pg because lying on my left gave me horrible indigestion

dappleton · 17/03/2011 14:23

I've been told by every consultant i've seen in pregnancy that it is important not to sleep on my back, left side is best, right side is acceptable but flat on the back can cause reduced blood supply to the baby. Lots of pillows wedged down one side of your body should help you stay tipped onto one side!

msmeffie · 18/03/2011 09:52

Sleeping on the left allows gravity to encourage baby to rotate in the uterus/pelvis into Optimal Fetal Position (which is on the left hand side).

This helps for an easier and quicker labour, especially in first time mums.

So if you can spend some time sleeping on your left hand side, its worth doing :)

Im an antenatal educator, and could bore you all with loads of facts about how lying on the left really helps make labour easier... but I wont here!!

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