sleeping positions while prego

Hey ladies, just was wondering if any of you 2nd and 3 trimesters were so concerned by the way you sleep? I know that we are suppose to sleep on the left side, but it is so hard for me to do that, so I keep sleeping on the left side as well as on the right side and occasionally on my back for a few minutes, but I am so aware of it and therefore, do not get too much sleep at all. I have never worried that much with my first DD, but I was almost 8 years younger and did not know ay better. Please share with me!

[DollChina]

Don't stress too much about that.  My doc told me if you are distressing the baby by sleeping on your back, your body will alert you.  I sleep on my back sometime because that's how I like to sleep.

[Jenny77]

I try to avoid sleeping on my back, but like the previous poster said, your body will alert you if something is wrong. I sleep on both sides though, I turn from side to side all night long. I don't think it really matters. They say its better on the left side, but that doesn't mean its bad on the right side. I'm 8 months now and as long as I get sleep, it really doesn't matter what side I sleep on.

[Mony0283]

hey i agree as i am going into my second tresmester i am more worried about it-my dr told me not to worry about it-i even slept on my stomach couple times and the baby seems fine-i agree with the otehr i am sure the baby will alert u

[stephd]

I am concerned with the way I sleep.  Sometimes I wake up on my back with my arms above my head.  I totall know what you mean about not stressing so much about this with my DS!! Its weird!!  

What is wrong with sleeping on the right side?  I am always on my right side??

[Facere23]

There's no harm in sleeping on your right side.  It's jsut better to sleep on the left.  Sleeping on the left side promotes healthy blood flow to the kidneys and placenta.  Sleeping on the right is now harmful...they just suggest sleeping on the left.  

When you sleep on your back, it's possible that the weight of the uterus can alter blood flow fromt he inferior vena cava (I believe it's an artery..but mommy brain has affected my memory) which can slow blood flow to the placenta.  

I switch from right to left all night...sleeping on one side for too long causes my leg to cramp.  Sometimes, i even lay on my back for a few minutes between to alleviate the pressure on my hips.  Like, the above posters said...your body will let you know if there's something wrong.

[AnnieBrooke]

I sleep on a bunch of pillows, stacked (dh says) like cordwood. It's the only way to make a hole for my tum and not get really strong leg cramps and hip numbness.

[stephd]

Your body lets you know so then you turn over, I see.  I just wasnt sure what the fuss was over sleeping on your right side.  I thought I heard stuff before about sleeping on your back but my step-mom ALWAYS slept on her back when she was preggo with my lil' sis!  But this was 13 years ago.

[ace24]

I'm in m y 20th week and still find myself sleeping on my tummy...there has been some nights were I have woken up because of a sharp pain to the abdomen I'm assuming baby alerting me to change position but other than that I switch from left to right many atimes especially when I start feeling my sides go numb.

[happybaby23]

The only way I was comfy was on my right side with a pillow under my belly, between my knees, and a little bit behind my back.  Your body will definately let you know if there's a problem.

[lib and jrs mom]

my dr told me to sleep on my left side only because i go for nsts twice a week, and the last couple times i went the baby's hb went down until the tilted me to the left.  they checked my AFI and it was fine.  they told me she must be lying on the vessel.  i too am a back sleeper so what i do is put a pillow behind me while i'm lying on my left side.  during the night i roll back onto my back, but the pillow under my right side back keeps the baby from lying on the vessel and still keeps me kind of tilted to the left.

[ace24]

I subscibed to American Baby and receive weekly newsletter and this was on today's.....With all the weight gain, it may be harder for you to find a comfy sleeping position. Sleep on your side, and not on your back or stomach. Sleeping on your left side, with a pillow wedged between your legs, is the optimal position for promoting blood flow to your baby and reducing swelling in your legs and feet.

[gml24]

I'm seventeen weeks tomorrow, and am also starting to get pretty uncomfortable sleeping on my sides.  Instead of just putting up with it, like I did my last pregnancy, I think I'm going to order one of those ridiculously overpriced pregnancy pillows, that wrap around your body and cushion you better.  I'll let everyone know how it works, especially if it has some kind of miraculous powers :)

[Gili]

I am not sure what the major difference is between sleeping on your left vs. right.  Apparently, I sleep better on my right because I don't hear my heart pounding all night.  Sleeping on your left is suppose to promote better blood flow, but I don't notice.

Most importantly, don't sleep on your back.  I'm a back sleeper and this recommendation is killing me.  But I'd suggest you follow it religiously, because sleeping on your back foster posterior babies.  That means your baby will become more inclined to rest his/her back on your back.  This would cause long and painful labor because it's more painful to have hard surface against hard surface.

I virtually wake up everyday with a sore shoulder, but I refrain myself from sleeping on my back now.

[apple_blossom]

Hey, we're just a day apart! I'll be 17 weeks tomorrow. And I'm beginning to be less miserable sleeping on my sides - and I switch systematically through the night, after a month's practice. I really miss sleeping on my back and my stomach. I still sleep on my stomach if I can prop myself up a bit with my leg to make a bit of a belly hole, because now sleeping flat out definitely isn't comfortable. I've tried pillows (regular ones) but they seem to make things worse.

[gml24]

what's your due date?

[mayona19]

Thanks I tried that was a good idea Thanks :-)