Side sleeping

[Hodge85]

Hi,

I'm currently waiting for my first baby to arrive, I'm 39+1 and having trouble sleeping on my left side. I've read that this is best for baby so I really try to stay on my left. Before pregnancy I loved to sleep on my right and I'm much more comfortable on that side, especially as my hips are sore due to pregnancy. However, after doing some research it turns out that I probably shouldn't really be sleeping on my right and should just stick to my left. I'm worried that with me being so late on in my pregnancy that I really should just stick to my left side until baby has arrived. Or am I overthinking it all?

Hi op I'm the same but I'm only 22 weeks I keep waking up on my back and worrying. However you've got to 39 weeks so I'm sure you'll be fine just be wary till the birth, and good luck! X

This guidance suggests that other than one study that's never had it's finding replicated, there's no evidence that the left side is significantly safer than the right, the biggest issue is falling asleep (not waking up accidentally) on your back. If you are markedly more comfortable on your right side than left I would go with it. A good night's sleep is more important for you and baby than any small benefit that may be afforded by sleeping on your left side over your right.

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/sleep-position-pregnancy-qa

I wouldn’t panic about sleeping on your right side. Although some studies show the left is preferable, there is nothing wrong with lying on your right as well and should not harm your baby.

The nhs site says just to avoid sleeping on your back after 28 weeks, but also not to worry if you do find you’ve shifted to this position in your sleep, just roll back on to your side. If you’ve fallen asleep on your side, studies show this is the position you will remain in the longest..

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/reduce-risk-of-stillbirth-safer-pregnant/

Overthinking, as above, lie on your right if you need to. It’s uncomfortable enough as it is without restricting options more than humanly possible!!

I used to lie on ether side when I was pregnant, often work up on my back earlier on, once I got big enough, I woke up as soon as I was on my back as I couldn’t breathe!
I wouldn’t worry too much.
Studies show that blood flow is best when on tour left side, however right side is preferable to back and there is not much of a difference between left and right.
I could try and find the study I looked at.

If I lie on my left side I get the worst heartburn/reflux/burps that keep DH awake so I have to sleep on my right side!

Really as long as your on your side I don't think it actually matters which side, just not your back when your massive xx

Currently 38 weeks and there’s no way I could stay on my left side all night, I tend to swap between right and left depending on when I get uncomfortable. As long as I’m not on my back or front I figure the baby is ok.

When I first go to bed I lay on my right side as that's where I'm most comfortable, just as I feel myself drifting to sleep I swap to left side and tend to stay there asleep for 4-5 hours. When I wake up at that point I tend to just flip between left and right - whichever is the most bearable with my hips feeling like they're burning!

I haven’t looked too much into it recently as I had my children years ago but I just slept on whatever side I felt comfy and avoided sleeping on my back.