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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Sleep positions

10 replies

TeacupTempest · 27/07/2011 14:05

So I have read some information form various sources about the best position to sleep in when pregnant but they often seem to contradict each other. Can anyone clarify?

I have read that lying on your right side can be bad (for baby?) and that lying on your back can be bad (for mum?). So that leaves lying on your left side........all night?!

Really?

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MissRee · 27/07/2011 14:09

Yep I read that laying on your right or back is bad - the laying on your right is something to do with your internal organs then being on top of your uterus and squishing it. The laying on bad apparently cuts off circulation.

I bought a 5 foot body pillow and lay on my left with knee/belly podge on it and seem to stay in that position for most of (if not all) the night.

Ria x

Original poster

TeacupTempest · 27/07/2011 14:12

I do tend to prefer to sleep on my left in the foetal position naturally and have always had a cushion between my knees as they are bony but I cant lie like that all night and am often waking up on my back. Surly if I feel comfortable then its ok?

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cravingcake · 27/07/2011 14:13

I also had this problem, and was loosing sleep about it! I was always a tummy sleeper but was told by other pg friends that yes you are supposed to sleep on your left.

From what I've read the main veins that carry blood back up to the heart on are on your right and with the extra weight if you sleep on your right you can slow the blood flow - not sure if this is accurate or not, and similarly sleeping on your back can put extra strain on your spine.

As I said I was loosing sleep about this and decided that just getting some sleep has to be better than worrying about it so now I sleep either on my back propped up with 3 pillows or on either side, whichever is most comfortable. I'm waking up for a wee now normally at least twice a night anyway...

edwinbear · 27/07/2011 14:59

I have asked two midwives about this, (my NHS and independent one) and they both say that whilst sleeping on your left side is ideal, there really isn't much you can do about it when you are asleep. As long as you have a pillow under your head, so you are not totally flat, it's fine. I kept waking up on my back and was getting stressed about it but the IMW said that with regards the vein, I would feel ill if it was becoming a problem before it did any harm to baby.

banana87 · 27/07/2011 18:56

I also asked my consultant about this as I was getting stressed (sleeping on my left side is not comfortable, but my right side is). He said that it's fine to sleep on your right side. More preferable to sleep on your left side for blood flow reasons and if you want to sleep on your back then you should raise your feet with pillows.

CBear6 · 27/07/2011 19:16

It's preferable to sleep on your left but if you're uncomfortable then there's no point - it's far better to get a full nights sleep in some other position than no sleep lying on your left side.

I used to worry about waking up on my back and I'd wonder how long I'd been on it, the MW told me not to be concerned about it as I'd more than likely have only rolled onto it moments before waking.

del1 · 27/07/2011 23:04

I can not stay on my left side all night, as my legs get restless. so spend most of the night tossing and turning ( annoying DH)
I do wake up on my back though,with my legs spread, and feel realy comfy
Ive never heard of anything bad happening to anyone, just because they slept in a different position other than the left side?
However, i'm sure someone on here will research, and attach a link if there is anything to worry about?

ShowOfHands · 27/07/2011 23:10

If you roll onto your back and it affects your vena cava (the vein that can become squished in pregnancy), you will just wake up with a jerk, probably feeling a bit breathless, dizzy, nauseous, faint etc. And then you move, get comfortable and go back to sleep.

There's nothing you can do about what happens once you're asleep and your body will let you know it's time to move long before you damage yourself/the baby.

firsttimer84 · 28/07/2011 10:32

You'll know when you reach the stage when you can't sleep on your back. So uncomfortable now, feels like my uterus is suffocating me! I will sleep on the right side though as well as the left. To be honest at this stage any comfortable position is a miracle!

Awomancalledhorse · 28/07/2011 10:47

I keep on rolling onto my stomach (I naturally sleep on my front) and waking myself up in a panic.
Switching sides with DH tonight to see if that helps me stay left...

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