how important is it to sleep on my left side? what will happen if i dont' start sleeping on my left side?
2006-11-03 01:25:33 · 19 answers · asked by confused mom 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Although there's no real harm in sleeping on your right side, lying on your left side is actually good for you and your baby: It improves the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta and it helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body. That, in turn, reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands. If you train yourself to sleep on your left side early on, you'll have an easier time falling asleep when your belly is bulging later.
During the second half of pregnancy, avoid sleeping on your back, a position that puts the full weight of your uterus on your spine, back muscles, intestines, and the inferior vena cava (the vein that transports blood from your lower body to the heart). Back-sleeping can also put you at risk for backaches and hemorrhoids, inefficient digestion, and impaired breathing and circulation. Lying on your back in the second and third trimester can also cause changes in blood pressure. For some women, it can cause a drop in blood pressure that can make them feel dizzy; for others, it can cause an unwanted increase in blood pressure.
2006-11-03 01:28:36 · answer #1 · answered by Miriam Z 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to sleep on your left side unless your physician has told you otherwise. If you are experiencing complications throughout labor or otherwise your doctor and nurses will have you lay on your left side so that the baby receives more oxygen. But basically that is when the baby is in distress. Sleep the way that you find most comfortable and enjoy your pregnancy. There is so much wrong information out there and everyone is more than willing to offer unsolicited advice, even if they mean well. If this really troubles you call your physicians nurse and talk to them about it.
By the way there is nothing wrong with sleeping on your stomach if you find that comfortable. The baby is surrounded by fluid and you cannot hurt the baby by sleeping that way. Generally women find it very uncomfortable but that was the only way I slept while I was pregnant.
2006-11-03 09:35:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes..and no. You can sleep however you feel comfortable, but toward the end of your pregnancy, you may find that while sleeping in your back or your right side that your bosy may get a little tingly, your pulse may quicken and you may get short of breath...this is your body telling you that you need to change positions. When you sleep on your back and your right side, you may restrict blood flow and oxygen you your bod...therefore restricting it to your baby as well...but as long as you change positions when your body doesn't
"feel right"...you will both be fine.I don't believe there has ever been any deaths or diabilities caused by sleeping on the wrong side!
We have enough to worry about when being preganat. Sleep is hard enough!
Good luck and Congrats on the pregnancy!
2006-11-03 09:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by Sunshine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleep however you are comfortable, and it's only going to get more and more uncomfortable to sleep. If you are confortable on your back sleep on your back, tummy as well, my sister slept on her stomach for a while during her pregnancy because that's the way it was most comfortable for her. In the later months of pregnancy you'll be so sleep derprived from being uncomfortable (I know I was) that I slept however i felt the most comfortable. They say that because they way your organs and what not are in your body on your left side there are less to be compressed, but sleep however you are comfortable!! Good luck and get some rest while you still can!
2006-11-03 09:38:35 · answer #4 · answered by melashell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been pregnant 4 times and was never told to sleep on my left side. I think it is more important that you get a good night's sleep. I would check with your doctor for sure, but I would say there is no required way to sleep when you are pregnant.
2006-11-03 09:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm more comfortable on my right side, and I usually end up sleeping on that side. I heard that sleeping on your left was good for your lymphatic system, and helped rid your bodies of waste better. I have noticed I need to pee more when I sleep on the left, but then again, I'm pregnant, so I pee more anyway! I don't think it would hurt NOT to sleep on your left side, but it wouldn't hurt to condition your body to. You will be surprised when you start sleeping on that side without even thinking about it, even after the baby is born!
2006-11-03 09:30:45 · answer #6 · answered by zoe and skylar's mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what good does sleeping on your left side can do to you or the baby. It is really up to the mother to find the best position when she sleeps. The baby does not mind what position as long as the mother does not sleep face-down (LOL)
2006-11-03 09:31:27 · answer #7 · answered by JustMe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was never told to sleep on my left side. I slept anyway that I could get comfortable with my 2 pregnancies. My children turned out just fine! Good luck!
2006-11-03 09:28:48 · answer #8 · answered by Army Wife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally I feel more comfortable sleeping on my Right side however throughout the night I have to switch sides. I spoke with my doctor recently and he said that as long as you don't have discomfort you will be fine. The baby will let you know.
2006-11-03 12:15:36 · answer #9 · answered by YoungMomToBe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're just not supposed to sleep on your stomach or back. I slept on both sides while I was pregnant just cause sleeping on one side for so long got kinda irritating so I alternated sides.
2006-11-03 10:24:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋