The left side!

[Noappointmentnecessary]

Ok so they say lying on your left side is best when sleeping. I'm doing this, but I'm experiencing my hip and lef going numb - and mild pins and needles - why?

Probably because you are getting heavier and sleeping in one position all night! I get aches in the "bony bits" (hip, shoulder) now I'm 3rd trimester.
Sleeping on your side is good: left is ideal but there is little reputable evidence for right being dangerous. The way the vein runs it is supported by your spinal column when you lie on your right.
So my solutions have been to mostly sleep on my left but:

• roll to my right if uncomfortable (roll, lol, more like epic clambering) for a couple of hours
• use pillows and duvets to pad myself quite a lot on my left
• just get up, stretch and have some water if I wake up uncomfortable: 5 mins up doing this 'buys' me a good 3 hours comfort.

If it persists, speak to your MW as your circulation will be working fglat out so she might want to check blood pressure or for carpal tunnel.

the only lying on the left thing is ridiculous.
I just couldn't.
varied between left/right/on back but tilted to left/right.

I lie on my left or right indiscriminately, my midwife and NCT teacher both assured me that this was fine.

I slept on my back until about week 30. Couldn't help it, always woke up that way and found it comfy. Now I switch between left and right through the night. I'd like to stay on my left but it's never been my preferred sleeping position and I get various aches after a while.

Yes "propped up" on back was also OK according to my mW and consultant. I don't because I just prefer my side.

I think even if you sleep 100% flat on your back the risk of problems goes from 0.4% to 0.5% or something tiny in terms of increase. Its not in the league of other "bad" behaviours like smoking. People are hyper aware as its the new scare.
The survey only noted women's sleep positions too - not general work hours, nutrition, domestic set up ... All things which could account for part of that 0.1% minute difference.

MW have long known most women feel "crushed" on their backs ... So when drowsy roll to their side naturally. As the issue is blood supply/veins, the woman would feel uncomfortable on her back before an issue presented.

I have a very damaged left eye so sleep with a plastic shield taped to my face, and my eye consultants asked me not to sleep on my left side where possible.
It's uncomfortable on my back so my right side is my only option.
Having read online that left side is best in pregnancy, I went to my midwife worried. She told me to sleep however I was comfortable and that it makes very little difference statistically.
So OP from what I am being told I wouldn't worry too much. Xxx

I was explained (but don't know if it's true) that midwifes prefer babies to be in the 'correct' side, so that when they come out they 'screw' out the 'right' direction.
but tbh I don't know you can influence babies position like that.

Thanks for the advice x

I slept on my stomach for all 9 months of my pregnancy, my DS is fine?...