Why exactly...

katie9136 · December 2009

are you not supposed to sleep on your right side or your back?

megjr8 · December 2009

Something about restricting blood flow through a major artery... you know kind of important. lol I don't know the exact detail.

audrey10607 · December 2009

I have been told that we shouldn't worry so much about it, and that if there is a problem, we'll most likely just wake up feeling uncomfortable or ill...which is rare. Sleep is more important than position I've been warned.

CoastieWife08 · December 2009

Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large vein (called the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.

Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off that large organ. Sleeping on the left side also improves circulation to the heart and allows for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys. Ask what your doctor recommends ? in most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.

But don't drive yourself crazy worrying that you might roll over onto your back during the night. Shifting positions is a natural part of sleeping that you can't control. Most likely, during the third trimester of your pregnancy, your body won't shift into the back-sleeping position anyway because it will be too uncomfortable.

If you do shift onto your back and the baby's weight presses on your inferior vena cava, the discomfort will probably wake you up. See what your doctor recommends about this; he or she may suggest that you use a pillow to keep yourself propped up on one side.

shaunnalar · December 2009

My prenatal yoga instructor told me last weekend that it is okay to sleep on your back. The restricted blood flow only affects a small percentage of women and your body will let you know even in your most deepest sleep that something is wrong. I'm still sleeping on my left side, right side and back every night and I feel fine and LO is still moving around in there. But you might want to ask your doctor.

ashley0616 · December 2009

The right side is preferred to the back. Sleeping or laying flat on your back for any reason is not good because it can cut off blood flow to the uterus, as well as restrict blood flow to your body. The uterus lays on a major vein or artery when you are on your back, and the bigger baby gets the more of an issue it becomes. I know that when I accidentally end up on my back in the middle of the night, I can tell. I wake up with numb limbs and a headache, it's pretty scary. The left side is best, but the right side isn't gonig to hurt anyone. It's just easiest for blood flow when you are on the left side.

I hope that wasn't too confusing. Smile

mrstyson03 · December 2009

What everyone else said. And your body will let you know if you shouldn't be laying on your back. If I do so for more than a few minutes I get lightheaded and feel like I'm having trouble breathing.

OregonMama · December 2009

Huh, you learn something new every day!

PurpleK26 · December 2009

The bigger you get, the more pressure and pain you'll get in your hips and knees. Sometimes the only way to not be in pain is to lay on your back. I end up doing this all night, going from one side to the other then to the back for a while, then my subconsious yells at me to get back on my side and I do. If you're normally a back sleeper and want to continue, you should sleep with your upper half at a 45 degree angle.

As far as why they recommend the side sleeping... all the pp covered that!

Want a personalized experience?

Why exactly...

Re: Why exactly...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards