What's the problem with laying on your right side?

jetgrrrl · March 2009

Just saw in a post below that someone's doc had a problem with them sleeping on their right side...okay, so you can't sleep on your stomach, back or right side, so you are ONLY supposed to sleep on your left side? Seems a little crazy to me, no? I can't believe that throughout history pregnant women have only slept on their left side? Confused

AshNicole331 · March 2009

I have no idea. My doctor said to lay however I feel comfortable and that my body will tell me if I need to switch positions.

I am interested in hearing the explanation to the no sleeping on your right side though.

Vixey529 · March 2009

The concern with sleeping on the right side is that you would be putting too much pressure on your liver.

Moiselle · March 2009

I read something about yoru liver and poor circulation. Did you look in WTEWYE?

sandyk51306 · March 2009

I am pretty sure that the "only sleeping on the left side" thing is a myth. I think you are fine on either side.

mavilabride · March 2009

My doctor said it didn't matter.

Truth is that you don't know how you sleep. You know how you fall asleep and you know how you wake up but during the night you can be on your left/right/back without knowing (unless you are carrying my daughter in which case she lets you know that you are on your back Surprise )

rommelea · March 2009

Right side... don't quote me on this because I'm not 100% sure, but I think it can hurt your kidney or liver or something because of the weight of the baby. I don't really remember. My doctor said try to avoid right side - anything else is fine.

willa1117 · March 2009

An Ob/Gyn that I work with actually told me to lay on my right side because of all of the acid reflux/stomach issues I've been having since getting pregnant. He said it helps drain the stomach contents since that is the natural flow of the stomach (from right to left).

I'm curious to see the other responses...

robynlesley · March 2009

My doctor said it was OK to sleep on either side, however the reason why pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side is to avoid pressure on your liver, which is on the right side of your abdomen.

https://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/sleep_during_pregnancy.html

Nov_2006 · March 2009

I go with whatever is comfortable. left is the optimal position because of blood flow.

Mary and Dave · March 2009

My doctor hasn't mentioned anything to me about which way I should be laying. I still try to stay on my left side for as long as it's comfortable.

MrsDuncan · March 2009

It's something about the way your blood flows - out of the heart through the left side of your body, and back to the heart through the right side? Something like that? I don't really have time to google it now, but I think it's something about putting pressure on your blood vessels on one side.

It does sound iffy to me too, which I think is why my doc also said not to worry about it too much.

2bulldogmom · March 2009

I learned in nursing school that left or right side sleeping is okay. The concern with sleeping on the back is that the weight of your uterus and all the goods inside may constrict the flow of the abdominal aorta and particularly the inferior vena cava.

ksayles · March 2009

My MW told me that the studies aren't definitive enough for her. I trust her, she has been in this for a long time.

jwpbride · March 2009

I know that my cousin was on SERIOUS bed rest the last 3 weeks of her pregnancy and was told to only lay on her left side because she had high blood pressure- her BP would stay down better on her left side. I don't think that's a general rule for all pregnancies, though (could be wrong).

Jacquie_Palma · March 2009

I actually read in American Baby last night that unless you have previous BP or circulation issues that laying on your back is OK. Your body will tell you if your blood flow is being restricted by your toes going numb. Then just move to your side and it's fine. It's not restricting blood long enough to cause any damage to you or the baby. They also said laying on your right side is fine and that if your kidney or liver had too much pressure then you would know that too.

hillausky · March 2009

I have heard it has to do with the organs on the left side being heavier and if you lay on your right side you can put pressure on the circulation to the uterus/baby. Women have been sleeping pregnant for years and most of us turned out ok! I wake up on my back some nights and just roll onto my left side.