Sleeping on your right side...HELP?!?

Question

I am 21 weeks pregnant right now and I can't get comfortable at night I start out on my left side with the body pillows between my legs, etc. but in the middle of the night I wake up on my right side. I have read many things saying this is very bad for your baby but I can't help doing it. It keeps me awake too because I try my best to stay on my left side and i get worried everynight that I am hurting my baby. Is it really true that it can hurt my baby or is it okay for me to sleep on my right side? HELP PLEASE!!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ANSWERS!! I FEEL A LOT BETTER!! :)

Answer 1

The reason they want you to sleep on your left side is due to circulation. A major artery runs towards your right side. Laying on your back may put pressure on that artery, thus inhibiting bloodflow to you and your baby. Left is the best, but if you wake up on your right side, don't freak out. You're fine. Best of luck.

Answer 2

Actually it's alright for you to sleep on your right side. Dr.'s say they left side is better b/c it allows the blood to flow to the baby more efficiently. You may even hear some Dr's say not to lie on your back due the a large vein that supplies blood to the baby.

I am 16 weeks and I lay any way I can get comfortable since as you get further along nurses will tell you that it's best to try to get enough rest at night and not worry so much as to which position you are sleeping in. Also it's common to switch your position several times during the night. I know I do.

Good luck. If your still concern talk to your dr.

Answer 3

You are suppose to sleep and rest on your left side because of the two major blood vessels the aorta and the inferior vena cava can have pressure put on them from the other positions. Many women struggle with a change in sleeping positions and it is quite common to wake up in a different position than you started. Simply try to roll back over and go back to sleep, eventually you will get use to the new position. Try not to worry about it though, because your body will tell you when something is wrong. For example, if you are struggling to breath you may want to contact your doctor. Other than that just do the best you can and you will be fine.

Answer 4

It's something to do with some artery that runs down one side, and the baby can squish it slightly if you sleep too long on your right side. I remember this when I was pregnant. But, it's not a big deal, really. Check with your doctor and she can explain it better. The main thing is not to sleep on your back (or even lie down on your back for very long) after you're farther along in your pregnancy...then the baby really does squish a nerve and you will know it because your feet and legs will start to go numb. Ah, isn't pregnancy FUN!! Just wait...at around 30 weeks you'll just be waking up every half hour because you have to go pee! :-)

Answer 5

It is fine. It will not hurt the baby. The only thing about sleeping on the left is that it's more beneficial. They haven't actually proven that it really makes that big of a difference. You're hurting yourself and the baby more, by not getting any sleep worrying about it. Most doctors will tell you to make a concious effort to go to sleep on the left side, but if you wake up on the right or on your back, not to worry about it. YOU WILL NOT HURT THE BABY AND IT IS NOT "BAD" FOR THE BABY!

Answer 6

I doubt, that you're hurting your baby. In my experience sleeping on the left side is more for your own good, like preventing a heartburn, etc. The deal with the right side is, that the growing fetus puts a little pressure on your liver. But for now sleep however you can, as long as your getting some zzz's. As your baby grows, he will let you know whether you're squishing him a bit. They are pretty feisty little things, so don't worry, your baby will tell if you need to change positions!

Answer 7

Its completely ok to sleep on your right side. During the night you shift positions several times anyway so you will go from lying on your left side to your right side and even your back - its not a problem. They say left side is good for baby's circulation however sleeping on your right side WILL NOT hurt your baby - honestly you have nothing to worry about.

I'm 34.5wks pregnant and cannot sleep on my left side because that causes baby to squirm around and kick and punch and just won't settle. I can't sleep on my back cause i can't breathe - so i sleep on my right side... what other alternative is there? lol. Doc said its fine and you should just sleep however you feel comfortable (well - as comfortable as one can be whilst pregnant!).

Answer 8

I am a major right side sleeper and also found it difficult to sleep on my left side. I flip flop between both sides throughout the night, but do try to sleep for the most part on my left since it takes pressure of the arteries and veins in your right leg. You aren't hurting your baby, my doc has told me to sleep however I can get comfy at this point :)

Answer 9

I don't think there's any critical danger this early in your pregnancy. I believe it has something to do with the location of veins & arteries, which would be more likely to be blocked when your baby gets larger. I personally tried to avoid it but would often wake up on my right side or my back. It didn't do any harm; both boys are very healthy. It's worth asking your OB at your next appointment. Good luck!

Answer 10

I think they say that sleeping on the left side best promotes oxygenation and blood flow for you and the baby. But the right side is also OK......You are not hurting your baby. I am 37 weeks, and i find myself waking up on my back! My doctor said that the back is not as good b/c the weight of the uterus can put pressure on one of your arteries and cause you to have trouble breathing. My doctor said that if my body has trouble breathing, it will wake me up so i can change positions. My cousin is currently 35 weeks pregnant, and she finds herself waking up on her stomach! You are not harming your baby. I think you just need to make sure you are comfortable and getting lots of rest. Good luck!