which side to sleep on?

[hj1981]

I always sleep on my stomach - however that is very uncomfortable now - so my next fav way to sleep is on my right side - however i have heard that u shouldn't sleep on your right side and that the left side is the best side to sleep on - im struggling with that and always find my self on my right side - My question is - is it bad to sleep on your right side when pregnant?

[jaspen]

I have read the left to be the best but I sleep however comfortable which is a combination of both sides and back (although now that pregnancy further on don't do back for very long just to stretch out briefly). They recommend not the back for blood flow I believe. Otherwise I have never been told by an medical professional to restrict to left only - basically I just swap sides as I need to.

[hj1981]

Thanks Jaspen! i have bad night sleep if i sleep on my left and my ob hasnt said anything about not sleeping on my right - however i havent remembered to ask! hehe ops!

[Shanti]

I've heard that they say it's best to sleep on your left side if you can as it allows more air open to your heart... that's for later on in pregnancy i'm not sure about in the first weeks tho? Depends how uncomfortable you are i suppose and it sounds like you are... DH is a nurse and told me that anyway.

[hj1981]

Thanks Ren - ur are always helpful! hope all is going well for u!

[NaeNae]

I have never been told to sleep on a particular side I find it most comfortable to sleep on the right side now having migrated from sleeping on my back which became increasingly more uncomfortable as I have been getting bigger.

I also find using my triangle pillow helps also by slipping it under my belly or by wrapping it around towards my back to ease the strain. If you don't have a triangle pillow then an extrea pillow should help in the same way

Nae x

[mazzie]

I just slept on whichever side I could get to sleep on! I slept on my stomach right up until 20ish weeks though, and after that I just used to bend one of my legs so the pressure was off my tummy and still sleep as much on my belly as I could.

[hj1981]

Thanks Heaps everyone!
I do have triangle pillow and body pillow - but still prefer to sleep on my right and on my tummy - so unless ob says other wise i guess i will do what u all do and sleep on what ever side i can get sleep on!

[monnie]

I haven't heard either is a problem...

I was just listening on the radio today and they were talking about sleep.

Apparently it's better to sleep on your right side as it releases melatonin (which is good for sleep), through some deep pressure on your shoulders!

I was always a tummy sleeper before pregnancy...now, since having my little boy (and enjoying the wonders of sleep deprivation), I only ever sleep on my right side...(before even hearing this report)...now I understand why!!!

Take care!

Sleep well!

[satya]

My OB instructed me to sleep only on my left side after 20 weeks.

Sleeping on your left side increases the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby.

Sleeping on your right side is apparently OK but it is still better to sleep on your left side.

I've been sleeping on my left side for a while now and I find it's the most comfy way to sleep. If I do have any trouble getting comfy I use my body pillow to prop one bent leg on and I'm good as gold.

Back sleeping is the worst way to sleep after 20 weeks as it can cause backache, breathing problems, low blood pressure and bad circulation to you and your baby.