Why does everyone keep telling me to sleep on my left side? I know it has something to do with the baby or myselft getting better blood circulation but i just can't seem to do it. I try every night but then i automatically switch to my right side. What will happen? Also, what happens if you fall asleep on your stomach?
I asked my doctor those same questions. This is how he explained it all:
It's okay if you sleep on your stomach...there will just come a time where you just can't. It won't be comfortable.
As for the right side and left side...there's an artery on your left side which pushes blood from your heart down to the lower half of your body. There's a vein on your right side that pushes your blood back up to the heart.
You technically can sleep on your left side, right side, and even your back. It's just that the artery on your left side is stronger and pumps blood better than veins do. The weight of your body can smash these veins and arteries. Being on your left side is putting your weight on the stronger arteries, and leaving the weaker veins to work normally. The blood circulation throughout your body and to the baby is better when you stay on your left.
My doc said if I want to sleep on my right side or it's more comfortable, I should go for it. He said there may be times you might feel lightheaded if you get up too fast & have been on your right side. That's a signal some blood flow has been reduced to the baby too.
Do not get paranoid over right versus left unless your doc gives you specific orders to stay on your left side only.
Gayle
I just want to add my little bit. When I was pregant with my first DD, I developed pre-ecclampsia and had to stay in the hospital. I was ordered to rest and sleep on my left side, something that took some adjustment! Now, ten years later, I can only sleep comfortably on my left side!
I agree with the previous poster, I can only lay on my left side too, for the same reason, I was never ordered to stay in the hospital, but to lay that way. Now I lay on my left side, sort of on my stomach...(it makes hubby mad cause he wants to "cuddle") but i cant sleep on the right side
Interesting...I've always slept on my left side ever since I was little. Now that I'm pregnant, the left side is the least comfortable position, and I'm mostly sleeping on my back with my legs propped up. My right side is my second choice, and left side is my last.
Hope I don't get ordered to keep on the left. I'll hate every minute of that!
Gayle
what is getting to me is having to stay positioned in the same place all night. i'm used to sprawling out and rolling around in my sleep. since the pregnancy i'm having to use multiple pillows and they force me to sleep like a statue. i think that's one of the reasons my backs been hurting...but what can you do eh? the options are limited. the right side is also my favorite, and my back. i can't do the left either for some reason.
With my DS I couldn't sleep unless I was on my left side with one leg up and the other leg resting on the opposite leg kind of like a triangle. With this pregnancy I fall asleep on my left side but I always wake up on my back ALWAYS. So I put pillows all around me so I am never flat on my back when I wake up. But I do have to be on my left side to fall asleep but who can stay in one place all night?!?!
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Amy
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Proud momma to
Brandon James 5/11/99 @ 4:48pm
Jade Elizabeth 6/7/05 @ 7:41pm
I almost always wake up on my back as well. The left side is the least comfortable for me. It's either the right side, or back. I've been propping up pillows behind me so that I'm more at a slope, and not lying flat on my back. It's the onyl way I have been able to get a good night's sleep.
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~*Nick's Wife*~
Mommy to Amber Josephine -July 10,2005-
I can sleep ok on either side but my problem is my shoulders and hips. Depending on which side I lay on after an hour or so my shoulder aches so bad I have to roll to the other side. I’m 28 weeks and this started a few weeks ago. Any suggestions?
