Is it just me or does lying on your left side in bed reduce/stop heartburn?

[leahsmum]

I have suffered horrendous heartburn my whole pregnancy and have become rather addicted to Gaviscon. However last week or so I have noticed that lying on my left side in bed stops/greatly reduces it but lying on my right only makes it worse.
Has anyone else noticed this? Anyone know why this could be?

Bit weird that leah since I always found lying on my left side felt like too much pressure on the heart

My midwife recommended sleeping on my left hand side - it's apparently commonly recommended as a way to ease heartburn. From what I remember (it's a long while ago!) it works because of the shape of your stomach - it's not a regular shape, and it's more difficult for the acid to get to the entrance to the oesophagus from the left hand side.

I have heard that its better to sleep on the left in pregnancy but I always thought that was due to blood flow to the baby or something. Only wish I'd discovered sooner how effective it is for heartburn!

I have heard that its better to sleep on the left in pregnancy but I always thought that was due to blood flow to the baby or something. Only wish I'd discovered sooner how effective it is for heartburn!

I have heard that its better to sleep on the left in pregnancy but I always thought that was due to blood flow to the baby or something. Only wish I'd discovered sooner how effective it is for heartburn!

ooops - dont know what happened there!!

How weird you should bring this up leahsmum. Just last night I was in bed, terrible heartburn, no gaviscon but lying on my klhs eased it and onto my rhs worsened it. By the way, have you seen yr GP - I was given prescription strength Zantac last ppregnancy and it was fab.

No havent seen GP since v early in pregnancy. Didnt think you could take anything apart from Gaviscon or the cheaper alternative that I am being prescribed at the moment - Peptac - not that its much good. I say gaviscon though cos most people dont know what i'm talking about when I say peptac.
Might mention it to my mw tomorrow and see what she says. Thanks

I found the same assume it's because your stomach's on that side and if you lay on your right you are kind of tipping it up!

Whatever the reason it works and it's better for blood flow to the baby so I always (at least start off) sleeping on that side!

I must be odd lol my heartburn gets much worse if i sleep on my left side, so much i throw up. I have slept on my right side throughout the whole pg though so maybe thats why. Rennies are my best friend, i tried everything they are the only ones that work x x

Babytasker,
I get that lying on my left too, my heart seems to beat really deeply and I'm really aware of it. It takes about 10-15 minutes for it to stop doing it which freaks me out quite a bit.

sorry, I meant multitasker