Carmen...

With my first pregnancy (15 months ago) - I got sleep apnoea and I couldn't relax or sleep at all. When I did drop off to sleep, I would wake up gasping for air. It was horrible. I had tests done, and it was probably caused by the extra weight and stress. A little while after the birth, I went back to regular sleeping. At the time I spoke to my GP and my Obstetritian about it because I was worried about the baby. I want to mention, my Ob is one of the very best in Melbourne. He is a professor in Obs and is head of Obs at Monash... so he knows what he's talking about. He told me not to worry what side I slept on... or if I wanted to sleep on my back it would be fine. And I gave birth to a 9lb/4kg healthy boy.

I'm pregnant again, and thankfully I don't have sleep apnoea this time. Maybe I'm a little bit more relaxed about it? I toss and turn in my sleep... but that's normal for me.

The best thing you can do for your baby is RELAX. If you can get some sleep - on any side - that will help your baby.

You should also try some relaxation/sleeping techniques. Like taking deep breathes in through your nose - out your mouth. Try to do 50 of them... and you will usually be asleep half way through
Another thing is to relax each part of body. start with your toes/feet. let them sink into the bed. Then your legs, your torso, your arms, your neck, your head. Deep breathing as you do it.
Drink a glass of warm milk. No coffee/caffeine for 3-4 hours before sleep time.
And finally... burn some lavender essential oil to calm you down too.

I'ld also suggest you stop reading stuff on the internet. It seems to make you more stressed out. And that is not a good thing for you or the baby. A happy mummy makes a happy baby. A relaxed mummy makes a relaxed baby. You and your baby will be fine.

I'm not sure about the left side sleeping thing... but I think it is a concern for really obese pregnant women. With my first pregnancy, I put on about 25 kilos ... and my doctor still said not to worry about it.