How far into my pregnancy should I be sleeping on my left side?
Source : http://www.parenting.com/Answers/How-Far-My-Pregnancy-Should-I-Be-Sleeping-My-Left-Side
I'm currently 16 weeks and I have NOT slept on my stomach since I first found out I was pregnant. I would normally sleep on my back but now I toss and turn because I wake up and remind myself to sleep on my left side. At which point is it necessary to sleep on your left side at all times? ...first time mom =)
It's not absolutely necessary at all! The left side sleeping position is introduced mainly for comfort reasons. Laying on your back could cause loss of feeling in the legs and/or give back pain mainly due to a main artery that runs along your back side. Laying on your stomach becomes harder and less comfortable to do as you grow. And laying on your right side can also cause pain and loss of feeling for an amount of time because of another main artery and having more vital organs on the right side than the left.Laying/sleeping on your left side is merely a suggestion to help a woman get most comfortable. I am 28 weeks and find I am more comfortable laying on my right side still. It's just what works for me, although the further along I get, the more I become a flip flopper from left to right!Either way, you're not hurting your baby with the way you lay (even on your stomach) there's a whole lot of protection there!!
this is my second pregnancy and to tell you the truth you shouldnt lay on your stomach bcuz you would be compressing on the uterus. the reason why obs/gyns tell you to lay on your side is bcuz when u lay on your back your uterus is compressing on a artery that gives blood flow to the baby and as the uterus gets heavier the more it will cut off that blood flow to the baby if you lay on your back. u should definitely b sleeping on your left side bcuz of all the organs that r on the right but if you end up on your right side that's fine as long as your comfortable. im 26 wks and i toss and turn all night from side to side, just make sure your on your sides and not your back or your stomach.
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/sleepingpositions.htmlSleeping on your back: This can cause problems with backaches, breathing, digestive system, hemorrhoids, low blood pressure and decrease in circulation to your heart and your baby. This is a result of your abdomen resting on your intestines and major blood vessels (the aorta and vena cava).Sleeping on your stomach: When you are farther along in your pregnancy, your abdomen undergoes physical changes and makes it more difficult for you to lay on your stomach.http://www.babycenter.com/404_whats-the-best-sleep-position-during-pregnancy_7608.bcsleeping on your left side may benefit your baby by improving blood flow – and therefore nutrients – to the placenta. It also helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body, which in turn reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands.Of course, staying in one position all night isn't likely to be comfortable, so turning from side to side while favoring your left side is probably the best strategy.As for sleeping on your back, avoid that position throughout pregnancy, especially in the later months. Here's why:When you're sleeping on your back, the weight of your uterus lies on the spine, back muscles, intestines, and major blood vessels. This can lead to muscle aches and pains, hemorrhoids, and impaired circulation, which is uncomfortable for you and can reduce circulation to your baby.Back sleeping can make blood pressure drop, causing some expectant moms to experience dizziness. On the other hand, in some moms-to-be it can make blood pressure go up.http://www.welcomebabyhome.com/pregnancy/sleeping_positions_pregnancy.htmOccasionally you may revert to sleeping on your back or tummy because you are just not used to your new position. No harm done here. Both positions bring no harm to the fetus; the fetus is well cushioned to suffer from any pressure on the maternal body
