thread: why are you not allowed to lay on your right hand side when pregnant?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Where we swim in glitter and play on rainbows
    630

    why are you not allowed to lay on your right hand side when pregnant?

    hi everyone, just wondering why are you not allowed to lay on your right hand side when pregnant? I have been every night. Is that ok?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2009
    In a castle with my princesses
    1,057

    I have no idea, sounds very strange to me?

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Add ~clover~ on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    I don't think its too bad. There is a main artery that I think runs down that side of your back. Its a reason you shouldn't really lie on your back. It can slow blood flow to the baby & can make you pass out I think? The weight of the baby laying on it. I've heard about the right side, but heard more about not lying on your back.
    I'm pretty sure from a thread a long time ago, that if you feel fine you should be fine. If you start to feel a bit off change positions & see what happens. I slept however I was comfortable & all was fine

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Where we swim in glitter and play on rainbows
    630

    cheers bj. I was thinking the same thing. If i am comfy what harm could i do

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Oct 2008
    Newport, VIC
    1,885

    I don't think that you are 'not allowed' to sleep on your right hand side, but it's best to sleep on your left. Something to do with encouraging the baby into an optimal position for labour and blood flow to the kidneys.

    I think the main thing is that you try not to sleep on your back because of that main artery that runs down your spine. The weight of the uterus can shift backwards and interfere with this blood flow.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Where we swim in glitter and play on rainbows
    630

    thanks so much fiona. That def makes sense

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2009
    5

    it also has to do with the majority of your organs being on your right side, the weight of bubs can make it really uncomfortable for some ....

    all my midwives have said that you should just sleep however you are comfortable, sleeping on your back is even ok as long as you're comfy and it's not making you feel dizzy or nauseous ...

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Sep 2007
    Adelaide
    220

    I have been told that lying on your back is bad and left side is better for getting your baby in a good position.

    And as others have said, your body tells you if something is really wrong. My baby jumps all over the place if I'm on my back.

    Also, if you are like me you won't spend all night in one position. I'm always rolling over.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    In a cloud of madness.
    4,053

    Hmmm.... i'm still sleeping on my tummy LOL

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    Gippsland Vic
    1,686

    Whhoopppsss!!! i thought you were supposed to sleep on your right hand side???? My bubs kicks up the biggest fuss if I sleep on my left hand side and sometimes if I'm on my back, but always seems happy when i'm on my right??? Must go and read up on it???!!

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Perth,WA
    2,942

    Sunshine I'm still on my belly too....

    With DS I was told to sleep on the left, but always find it more comfy on the right. You can be buggered if I wake up to change positions coz it's 'wrong'. I would be moving around all over the place anyway!

  12. #12

    Oct 2008
    2,880

    I'm still sleeping on my back because it's the most comfortable. When I lie on my left or right hand side baby hates it and I also get really bad ligament pains.

    I am surrounded by pillows to try and make myself tilt to the left but end up waking on my back again.

    Must talk to my MW about this.

    Sue x

  13. #13
    BellyBelly Professional Support Panel

    Nov 2005
    QLD
    3,068

    You can sleep on any side that you find comfortable. Sleeping flat on your back when you have a big belly is not recommended as there is a small chance that the weight of your baby could compress some major blood vessels in your back and thus reducing the blood flow to your placenta.

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Add JennaJayen on Facebook

    Oct 2008
    Kallangur, QLD
    1,390

    Just had to add my little bit while preg with my DS I couldn't sleep on my left side after hearing my hip go "POP" after sitting down one weekend around 7wks preg. I still can't lie on my left side, even though he's over a year old now. I was told by my physio that I should just sleep in whatever position was most comfortable for me, and if it got too uncomfortable on my back or on my right side to prop myself with pillows under my left hip and shoulder.

    I have never heard of not sleeping on the right side though.

  15. #15
    Registered User
    Add UntoldAngel on Facebook

    Nov 2009
    Between concrete walls
    1,885

    Well I hope you can lay however you want because I have the following issues because of 2 car accidents:
    1. sleep on back = severe pain
    2. sleep on left side = loss of arm function for half a day
    3. sleep on right side = painful hips / pelvis
    Sleeping on my tummy is the only comfy position... which I know will become an issue once I get bigger...