i read somewhere that after 12 wks u can't lay on ur back because it will cut off circulation to the baby and ur lower body. i thought it was in like maybe the last trimester that u have to sleep on ur left side
2006-09-15 09:31:14 · 13 answers · asked by confused mom 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
you can always lay on your back, unless it makes you uncomfortable, and laying on your left side is good for the heart, and for digesting food, and to take nausea away. you dont have to lay on your left side, but it is beneficial.
2006-09-15 09:35:24 · answer #1 · answered by RIA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sleeping on y our left side is suggested because it is the position of which keeps your blood pressure at the right level. If you r blood pressure were to incresese, which happens often, then you are at risk for Toxemia and other complications. Sleeping on your left side is one of the best things that you can do to lower your risks of this, which can harm you and your baby.
During both of my pregnancys I experainced very high blood pressure problems and I would lay on my side at the doctors office and after only 10-15 minutes my blood pressure would drop dramatically. So, it really does help.
Even if you think that it is too early for worrying about that, I suggest that you start trying to get used to it anyway. The sooner the better because it can be hard to get used to sleeping in the same position all the time, which would be more diffault later on when you really do need to stay lying down that way.
2006-09-15 09:36:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I stopped sleepingon my back and lying on my left side at 3 months. Yes sleeping on your back can cut off the circulation to your baby.
Q Why is it better to sleep on your left side when pregnant?
A The answer to this question lies in the anatomy of the abdomen, which has to harbor the ever-increasing uterus as the baby grows. The Vena Cava is the main vein that drains the entire lower half of the body. Anatomically, it lies just to the right of the midline--just on the right side of your spine. As the baby gets bigger, certainly the heavier uterus, lying flat on the Vena Cava will (like stepping on a garden hose) obstruct flow up towards the heart. The drainage of the lower half of the body becomes sluggish, which not only increases the swelling of your ankles, feet, and legs, but will also impact on hemorrhoids as well. And decreased return of blood flow to the heart will cause hypotension (lowered blood pressure) down the line and resulting diminished arterial blood flow to the uterus, placenta, and baby.
Sometimes this hypotension is evident when a woman has an ultrasound, during which she lies flat. One of the symptoms of hypotension is nausea that will accompany the light-headedness. In answer to your question, lying on the back is the worst ossible position in the third trimester. Lying on the right side is better than lying on your back, but lying on your left side is the best of all, because this is the position which will have the least amount of weight upon the Vena Cava.
2006-09-15 09:45:21 · answer #3 · answered by Jaymie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard such a thing. I laid on my back when I was pregnant all through my pregnancy. I also slept on my right side and my left side. I have heard that laying on your left side increases circulation to the baby, but that is only necessary if your baby needs it for some reason. I had to lay on my left side during labor because my babies heart rate dropped to low (that was from the stress of labor), once I was on my left side there were no problems. Eventually, everything worked out and I was able to get on my back again.
Anyway Take Care and Good Luck
2006-09-15 09:43:21 · answer #4 · answered by brandy10006 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the weight of the fetus/uterus/etc... puts pressure on arteries and decreases bloodflow to your lower body and sometimes baby if you are lying flat on your back. If you must lay this way during pregnancy (at any stage) place a rolled up towel under one hip and elevate your upper body a bit. make sure you switch the towel from side to side often and don't stay on your back for long periods at a time. Lying on your left side relieves some of the work your heart has to do because it isn't pumping up hill as much but you can still lay on your right side too.
2006-09-15 09:38:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
laying on your back just putting a lot of pressure on your lower back. So if you have troubles with back pains, try not to sleep on your back. It's never early to start sleeping on your left side. While it's not really proved that sleeping on the back is dangerous for the baby, sleeping on your left side is proved and known to be the best position for sleeping and resting while pregnant.
2006-09-15 09:39:58 · answer #6 · answered by miss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can sleep any way you need to to not be uncomfortable. There is nothing that says you must sleep on your side. As you progress in the pregnancy, you will need to change positions more often to rest comfortably. If it doesn't bother you to sleep on your back, then don't worry about it. The most important thing for you to be concerned with is getting the best rest you can; you're going to need it. Good Luck!
2006-09-15 09:38:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should try not to sleep on your back after week 20. If you sleep on your back you need to try to elevate your back with pillows or something so your not laying totally flat.
2006-09-15 10:37:31 · answer #8 · answered by Taletha H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read that you should sleep on your side and that is what my doctor told me was best for the baby-I am 15 weeks.
2006-09-15 09:46:00 · answer #9 · answered by Sakora 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you do not want to lay on your back for long periods of time because it cuts of the flow of oxygen to your baby
2006-09-15 09:42:53 · answer #10 · answered by rye252000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋