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Sleeping on the left side

LoriBeeLoriBee
in 1st Trimester

Is this a myth or fact? I have heard it from some co-workers and in a baby book, but my OBGYN never mentioned it. I am going to ask him at my appt this week, but wondering if anyone has info on the validity/reasoning behind it.

Thanks!

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Re: Sleeping on the left side

  • Scout05Scout05 member
    It's fact, but it doesn't really matter at this point. It's more important when you are bigger, and there is more pressure affecting blood flow to you and the baby.
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  • chelsea_ems_firechelsea_ems_fire
    Fact: Laying on your back or right side could press on your vena cava, restricting blood flow to the baby. That's why they say it is safest to lay on your left side.
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  • suchabrunettesuchabrunette
    Does this depend how far along you are or just at any point? I haven't had a doctors appointment yet to go through a world of questions I have so I'm learning as I go here :)
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  • TiffanyTheMomTiffanyTheMom member
    Yes. When you pass 30 wks and you're a human blimp, you need to try to stay on your left while you sleep. But my OB told me even as I was 8 months along, if I woke up in the middle of the night and was on my back, and my legs were NOT numb, then there wasn't enough pressure to worry about sleeping on the left. Also, you change sleep positions so often at night you'd never be on your back long enough to do damage to your baby or legs. Not saying it's not a worry, but it isn't a worry now. And won't be til your 3rd tri, really.
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  • MaiteRamMaiteRam
    Yep, once you're farther along it's an issue.  Definitely not now.  And later, lying on either the right or the left is fine.  Both sides reduce pressure on the vena cava.  Also, lying on your back but propped up a little with pillows is fine, too, although you probably won't want to sleep that way.  It's basically the FLAT on your back that you'll want to avoid.
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