Sleeping while pregnant?

Question

I've asked my doctor how should I sleep and she told me to go on the internet.
But their, I've found that for some, sleeping on the back is dangerous, for others it's not. Some say that sleeping on your left side is better some say it doesn't matter.

How should I position myself to sleep?

By the way, my last visit at that doctor is my 'last' visit. We decided that we are not gonna see a doctor anymore. It took us 4 hours to ask her to give me my legal 15 weeks sick leave in my first trimester and she manage to give just 5.
We can take care of my pregnancy without a doctor.

Answer 1

your doctor actually told you to just go to the internet when you asked him for medical advice? Like the answers you are going to find here are going to better then what she can tell you? and you trust her with the health and well being of your unborn child?
you should try www.findanewdoctor.com

Answer 2

Your doctor told you to look on the internet? I'd say it's time for a different doctor...the internet isn't always the most reliable source for information.
It's better to sleep on your left side. You can safely sleep in any position during early pregnancy but of course the bigger you get, the less you will want to sleep on your stomach. Further along, if you sleep on the right side or on your back, you run the chance of cutting off some flow to the baby, there's an artery (I forget the name...sorry) that can be compressed.
If you can, make it a habit now of sleeping on your left side.

Answer 3

I am 8 months and omg its getting so uncomfortable at nights. I opted not to buy one of those big pillows but what i would use for prop was my bf but now im just to big to keep doing that so what i do (eventhough before i hated sleeping this way) i get 2 or 3 pillows and i stack them up and i basically sleep on a high incline almost sitting up. I move from my left and right side all night long and sometimes i lay on my back since i was told as long as you are not laying flat on your back and your back is up then you are fine. I actually slept last night. I noticed it helps my breathing as well. The baby usually puts so much pressure on my lungs i feel like i cant breath but like this i feel more relaxed. Sometimes falling asleep on the couch is a good idea because the back of the couch provides your back with support that is very much needed.

Answer 4

Wow, your doctor is really helpful.... not. You are supposed to try and stay off of your back. However, many women still switch to their backs when they are sleeping. You will wake up before anything dangerous happens if you do sleep on your back. Sleeping on your stomach just may be uncomfortable. Start by going to sleep on your side and if you swtich positions while sleeping... not a big deal, you really can't help it. If you get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or whatever go back to sleep on your side.

Answer 5

Left side is ideal for blood circulation for the baby. Sleeping on your back may cause lower back pressure and be uncomfortable if you're having heartburn. Definitely read websites like babycenter, askdrsears. See what works for you. Some people do whatever is comfortable for them because women usually have a hard time sleeping while pregnant. I've known women to sleep on their stomachs with many pillows - they were stomach sleepers pre-pregnancy and couldnt adjust to side sleeping and ended up being fine. I'm not advocating stomach sleeping, but just know that its been done. I was normally a back sleeper and had to learn to sleep on my side. I found myself starting on my side and sometimes waking on my back (I never had heartburn or lower back problems so it didnt bother me). Definitely use pillows to support yourself and get you through the night. I used a body pillow to help me sleep on my left side.

Answer 6

If you asked your doctor this question and she told you to go on the internet. I think you need a new doctor.

Anyways, sleep however is comfortable to you. You can ask around but nobodys going to tell you how to sleep thats comfortable to you.

I always slept on my left side with a pillow either between my legs or under my belly.

Answer 7

Wierd your doc wouldn't just answer your question.

BUT I was told once you're further along in your pregnancy you should try to sleep on your side. Sometimes if you put a pillow between your knees it will make you more comfortable as well. I have heard as you progress it's not good to sleep on your back, for me it's actually uncomfortable to sleep that way anyway.

Answer 8

Your doctor told you to look up ways to sleep? How odd.
My doctor told me sleeping on my side was the best, because lying on your back puts too much pressure on your body, due to the baby's weight, etc.
They say the left side is better than the right beaus it keeps the weight of the fetus off of your liver, it also is better for your circulation.

Answer 9

Sleeping on your back is only dangerous if the weight of the baby affects your breathing. I am carrying so low, that it isn't a problem for me.
I think it is just personal preference.
I prefer to sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs and one wedged under my belly.

Answer 10

haha sleep is a nasty battle during pregnancy! :) Sleeping on the back, I'd say, is a bad idea as apparently it can cut off the oxygen to the baby..which we definitly dont want. Sleeping on your tummy is obviously out of the question.... Sleeping on either side, I think is your only bet. I personally found my left side more comfortable...but I really dont think it matters which side you lay on! :) As long as you're comfy...with a pillow inbetween your legs helps...and later on in the pregnancy, with a pillow under your tummy....maybe supporting your back also. STOCK UP ON PILLOWS! :) They're your saviors! Trust me:)
Good Luck!

Answer 11

Ideally, "they" say to sleep on your left side with a pillow between your legs to help circulation. Sleeping on your back can be harmful to you and potentially the baby. However, if you are comfortable, you should be fine. Good luck! Try babycenter.com for more information.