What side am I supposed to sleep on?

[ovaz129]

I am 9w4d pregnant and am up at least 3 times a night because I have to go to the bathroom.  When I wake up I am always laying on my back.  (Which I know I am not supposed to be sleeping on my back because of that vein that can be smooshed and cut off oxygen to the placenta.)  I know that it is recommended that you sleep on your side, but is there a certain side?  I don't know why, I am thinking it is your left side, but I don't know why!?  Anyway, what side am I supposed to be sleeping on and why does it matter?  Thanks!

[shadowserpent]

i feel for you i really do! befopre my first pregnancy i was a 38 c
i went up to a 38 dd!
now there even bigger since they never went away after i gave birth and im straining out of my bras! i seriousluy dont even know how big i am! i feel like a porn star! hahaha
and the pain it makes on my back is horrid!~
and even though the left side is recomended the rigth side works just as well, i found that switching sides during the night helps the pain, and when im on my back ive sorta trained myself to realize it and wake up just enough to get on a side!

[Gina209]

Yep my boobs have already grown! I'm still stuffing them into my bras, but they are way tight so I can tell they've at least gotten fuller. I have a funny feeling their going to grow a lot more though! My mom also has huge boobs and they got even bigger with all 4 of her kids (and she has girls and a boy) so looks like I may need to buy some new bras soon!

I'm definitely going to try the body pillow..but my problem is, its not that I just like to sleep on my back..I have too. I am in so much pain because my back hurts when I'm on my side that I have to sleep on my back. So as much as a body pillow may prevent me from turning on my back I'm afraid that I'm still going to be in so much pain that I'm going to need to go on my back. So I really think I need something to ease my back pain too but I will try the pillow!

[krissyy]

gina-wow, i wonder if your boobage will grow lots during pregnancy--old wives tales say that is very common if you are carrying a girl...i'm having a girl and my boobs went from 32/34B to 34C.  that doesn't sound like a huge jump, but i've never felt so boobilicious!  i love it!

[jusrobin]

That was so funny, and I did have a similar question to the original post but after reading on here I got all of the answers that I needed so thanks girlies!

[StacyCPHT]

Body pillow target 8.99
Melatonin- local health store or cvs like 5 bucks
full night of sleep---- priceless

[martikadragoon]

I've been looking for a  body pillow. As it is I use a pillow between my knees and my stuffed bunny between my arms (YES I sleep w/a bunny.. the first one DH got me almost 6 yrs ago!)

But w/out a pillow my hips KILL!!

[shadowserpent]

im realy surprised no one has mentioned what a JOY a body pillow is to a pregnant lady!
i started sleeping with one with my first pregnancy and its been so nice! just one pillow for my giant boobies and my giant belly and my legs!
its helped me not sleep on my back and made thinsg so much more comfortable..... i recomend a body pillow for every single pregnant woman anywhere!

[Gina209]

The funny thing is, he wouldn't think I'm nuts! He knows I have major issues because of my boobs. I'm a 99 pound girl and I used to have 34DD boobs! Luckily a couple years ago I got in the best shape of my life and somehow lost boobage and went down to a 34D which is still huge for a 99 pound girl! So he knows the troubles I have...he would prolly like it cuz he knows I get no sleep and he always feels so bad. I'll have to try it, LOL!
Thanks Krissyy...I just love sleeping on my back so its going to be hard to drop the habit...but gotta do it!

[krissyy]

haha, her husband will probably think she's nuts if she puts a pillow between her boobs...but, we gotta do what keeps us comfortable!  my husband thinks my wedge pillow is weird, but it helps me sleep and if i sleep, he sleeps...he's quickly learning and accepting the weird things that women do when they are pregnant ;-)

i considered a snoogle...

[leighanne143]

most of the research says it is fine to sleep on any side and your back during the first trimester.  then after they tell you it is optimal to sleep on your left side but all the research says if that is so uncomfortable to not letting you get sleep then sleep on your right.  it is better to get the actual rest then worry all night baout which side you are on.  i will try to find the links and send them, i did lots of research on this last week after i for the life of me can not get comfortable on my left side.

[ovaz129]

Thanks Krissyy... I have a Snoogle that I bought with my first pregnancy... So I guess I will begin to use that.  I knwo... DH is not cool with a bunch of pillows plus two Boston Terriers sharing a king bed!!!  hahaha... the boob idea is genius!!

[kelliestarr]

I agree with martikadragoon on that one.  

[krissyy]

if you are a big time back sleeper, you could try propping pillows up under your back and your knees so that you aren't laying flat.  as you get further along, you may actually start being more comfortable on your side because you will be able to breathe better.  you may also try sleeping in sports bras and using pillows to support your boobs (as funny as that sounds!!).  my husband got quickly annoyed with all of the pillows i have dragged to bed with me. i have one under my head, one in my arms, a boppy wedge pillow under the side of my belly for support, and a pillow between my legs.  

[martikadragoon]

Honestly, my OBGYN said you don't have to worry about what side to sleep on til about 16-20w til the baby is getting big enough to put pressure on the blood vessels.

I sleep on whichever side is most comfortable and I'm almost 34w. Sometimes I'll wake up on my back, but my body protects it'sself by causeing me to wakeup if there are any problems... usually my arms are numb!

but that only happens 1-2x a night.

[Gina209]

It's been tough for me too. I wake up at least 3 or 4 times in the night to pee and when I try to go back to sleep I lay on my left side...but within 10 minutes I get so uncomfortable! It feels like the baby is resting on my left side and it bothers me to lay on my left side (I know thats not whats going on since I'm only 13 weeks but its the only way I can describe it!) and than my back starts to hurt. I've always had a bad back due to my big boobs but now its even worse. So I toss and turn from my left and right side and my back ends up hurting so much that I always end up on my back. I'm really trying to get out of the habit of turning on my back but I just get no sleep any other way. And when I do lay on my back I try to turn on my side as soon as I start falling asleep. Or if I wake up on my back I turn to my side immediately. It just stinks for me cuz I am a back sleeper! I'm going to talk to my doctor about it..but for now I just try and sleep on my left side whenever I can. Good Luck!

[mami1323]

I'm sorry for your previous miscarriages.  Joy is right though, what side you sleep on has no effect on miscarriage.  I understand totally why you would be worried.  I was the same way and have never experienced a m/c so I'm sure your fear is exacerbated.  I wish you lots of luck.

[JoyRenee]

Have your partner put pillows tucked down your back, as you lay on your left side. Hopefully that will keep you from rolling over. But honestly it won't cause a miscarriage.

[krissyy]

as mami mentioned, they recommend your left side for optimal oxygen flow.  like you, i would often wake up on my back.  however, it's no big deal, after you pee, just lay back down on your side and off to dreamland.  as mami also said, i lay however i'm comfortable.  i usually sleep on my right side, but am fine on my left also.  

i don't blame you for the paranoia.  my first trimester i was a nut case!!

congrats on your pregnancy :-)

[ovaz129]

Unfortunately I have miscarried twice and I am super paranoid about everything that I do, so I am worried about which side to sleep on.  Thanks for the explanation!

[mami1323]

They always say lay on your left side because it will increase the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby.  However, I slept on whatever side I felt comfortable on.  I slept on my back until my son became too heavy.  I know of women who were able to sleep on their bellies until it became too big.  My son is a happy and healthy 8 month old.  There are way too many things to worry about during pregnancy, which side to lay on is the least of it.  Good luck during your next 40 weeks.