I've read how (and have been told) that all the OBGYNS reccommend sleeping on your left side during pregnancy (because your liver is on the right side) .. and not to sleep on your back (because of that vein) .. but is there any side-effects from sleeping on your right side? I know that it says there is better blood flow and oxygen when sleeping on the left side .. BUT does sleeping on the right side cause ANY complications? ANY harm to the baby?
I normally sleep on my left side .. but once in a while I get a leg cramp and have to lay on my ride side to fall back asleep. Is that ok??
any advice would be greatly appreciated! thanks! :)
2007-03-09 03:49:51 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Your liver is on both sides (right and left). The reason for the ideal sleeping position to be on the left side is that it not only allows maximum flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta, but also enhances kidney function, which means better elimination of waste products and fluids and less swelling (edema) of ankles, feet, and hands. Very few people manage to stay in one position all night, and even sometimes find themselves on their back or abdomen (depending on how far they are along). As for sleeping on the right side, there is no harm at all to your baby. It just means that the flow of nutrients is not maximized, but your baby will still be getting what he/she needs. I am due in 3 days. I rotate all night long between my left and right, but prefer my right side.
2007-03-09 04:00:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT is better to sleep on ur left side not only because of the liver, but because it helps the baby get more oxygen & it keeps ur bloodpressure down, which is very important. Sure people sleep how they want to, but that's the truth about why u should sleep on the left side. It is ok to lay on ur right sometimes as long as it isn't all the time. Something u might try is having someone massage ur legs before u go to sleep to help promote good circulation back to ur heart, & it should decrease the cramps tremendously. One other thing is get a pillow that is sorta' like the boppy pillows, but it's for pregnant moms to use so they will be more comfortable when they are sleeping or laying daown. I forget the name of them but u can get them at any Motherhood Maternity Store, Babies R' Us, Mommy & Me. The reason I say this particular pillow is because it stays in place. It helps back pain also because when ur laying on ur side the weight of the baby pulls down & pulls on ur back, so just tuck it under ur belly & between ur legs & ankles (yes it's that big) & u will sleep a lot better which I know is very scarce from the 3rd trimester until ur kid is grown & outta' ur house.
2007-03-09 04:08:44 · answer #2 · answered by jadynzmd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleeping On Right Side
2017-01-01 11:22:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Left side is better, particularly if your stomach is upset, but right side is not bad and won't hurt the baby. All the books say "sleep on your left side!"...but I challenge the authors of those books to spend a full half year sleeping in one position only night after night. Let's face it...it's just not possible to spend the entire night in one position without shifting. Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of hearing the "left side is best" mantra from every book I read.
2007-03-09 04:14:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleep however you feel comfortable sleeping. I could only sleep on my right side. It was the only way I felt comfortable. Nothing happened to me or my baby, so you'll be fine! Good luck!
2007-03-09 04:00:56 · answer #5 · answered by Shannon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had to sleep on my right side and no it causes absolutley no complications and the only thing sleeping on ur back does is make u uncomfortable remember the baby is only using u for a free ride. the only thing that would hurt them i laying on ur tummy
2007-03-09 03:56:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I developed problems in my L hip and had to lay on my right side for the rest of my pregnancy,. I checked with my doctor and she said this was fine.
2007-03-09 04:13:51 · answer #7 · answered by Laura H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Laying on either side is fine, just not laying flat on your back in order to prevent vena-caval compression which decreases blood flow to both you and the baby.
"Usually by lying on your right or left side, sitting in an upright position, or even in a semi-upright position will avoid vena-caval compression."
2007-03-09 03:56:12 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its fine to sleep on your right side...you aren't going to hurt anything. I switched left and right all the time
2007-03-09 03:56:35 · answer #9 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it doesn`t cause complications...but it is better to sleep on your left side...it`s better because it allows the blood to flow back to your heart while you rest, in result will make you feel a lot better.
2007-03-09 03:56:26 · answer #10 · answered by Erica M 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋