Question about sleeping

I recently learned when you are pregnant you should sleep on your left side only. I am only 6 weeks and being my little one is the size of a bean I'm pretty certain sleeping on any side right now will not harm my baby however, when should I begin sleeping on my left side only?

Re: Question about sleeping

I primarily slept on my back throughout my 1st pregnancy. Same with this pregnancy...I just can't get comfortable on my left side.

Re: Question about sleeping

I believe most people say to sleep on your side when you can no longer sleep comfortably anyway else!!! Not an expert on this...but I can't sleep on my side comfortably, so I'm waiting!

Re: Question about sleeping

Sleeping on your stomach will be impossible at some point, and sleeping on your back isn't recommended since blood flow to the baby is limited in this position.

I tend to be more comfortable sleeping on my right side, so I don't always sleep on my left, though I try to from time to time. I'm 33 weeks though, and you'll find as you get bigger that you will probably need to switch sides anyway--your legs or hips may get too sore.

At 6 weeks though, I don't think you need to worry much about your position at all. enjoy sleeping anyway you like right now!

Re: Question about sleeping

I am 33 weeks and I still sleep any way I can get some sleep! That means, I mostly sleep on my left or right side, but do still even sleep on my back.

Honestly, I don't think it matters for the baby how you sleep, its mostly for you.

Re: Question about sleeping

I'm lucky and I can still sleep on my stomach at this point (I'm 26 1/2 weeks). I cannot fall asleep any other way. I'm trying every night to fall asleep on my side and I just can't.

At 6 weeks I'm sure you can sleep anyway that you are comfortable.

Re: Question about sleeping

From everything I've read, stomach sleeping should stop when it's no longer comfortable, back sleeping should stop @ 16 weeks, and side sleeping (left or right) is preferred throughout. I'm at 32 week and once I get in bed on either side it is next to impossible for me to move.

Re: Question about sleeping

I have high blood pressure and was told to sleeep on my left side. Sometimes, I roll over to the other side in the middle of the night. Now at 36 weeks, I can't roll at all.!!

Re: Question about sleeping

I think that sleeping on your left side is to help with heartburn. When you're on your left side, it's harder for the acid to come up out of your stomach. I find that it definitely helps me with heartburn & nausea.

Re: Question about sleeping

I am 31 weeks and I am mostly a back sleeper, when I find that I feel like I can't breath or somethign I turn to my left side. Recently my hips get sore when I am in a position too long so I switch a lot.

Overall my doctor said I should sleep in whichever position I can be comfy.

Re: Question about sleeping

Re: Question about sleeping

You will find that your body will let you know what the best position is. I'm almost 37 weeks, and I still wake up sometimes on my stomach (with some pillows strategically placed while I slept)! Just listen to your body.

Message edited 10/16/2007 5:03:51 PM.

Re: Question about sleeping

Re: Question about sleeping

I'm not sure, but I'm only comfortable on my left side (and I'm 10 weeks tomorrow)

Re: Question about sleeping

I think it is 16 weeks as well. Left is best for your circulation but right is ok. I started already to get used to it and because the other sleeping positions weren't very comfortable anymore. I find that a body pillow helps me to sleep on my side through the night and not turn onto my back.

Re: Question about sleeping

my doc said left or right, def not back so as to not restrict blood flow to the baby. i agree w/the other posters..sleep as comfortably as u can at this point. u don't have to worry yet about the baby :)

Re: Question about sleeping

I always start off sleeping on my side but when I wake up I am on my back. My dr said not to worry about it.

Re: Question about sleeping

same here.. always start on my side and when i wake up on my back

Re: Question about sleeping

All I got to say about your question is sleep on any side you feel comfortable with as long as you can. I miss that. I can only sleep on my left side only because its feels the best and its still uncomfortable,but if I could sleep on my back or stomach again it would be a perfect night.So sleep how ever you want and long as you can.

Re: Question about sleeping

I sleep on both sides.

Re: Question about sleeping

I sleep on my left side primarily. I'm lucky bc I always favored sleeping on this side even before being pregnant. I find that when I do roll over onto my back, my heart starts beating really fast and it wakes me up, so I roll right back over to my left.

I wouldnt worry about it before early to mid 2nd trimester.

Re: Question about sleeping

They tell you not to sleep on you back after the 16th week because the weight of the baby+ your uterus puts pressure on the vena cava which is the main blood supply to the baby & it also supplies you- you'll get dizzy & breathless if you lay on your back too long, so your body alerts you to the fact that you shouldn't be in that position. The left side is the optimum position for circulation but either side is fine. Stomach is fine as long as you're comfy doing so. You can also lay half way on top of a body pillow on your stomach to reduce the pressure & sleep that way longer into the pregnancy. Sorry so long.

Re: Question about sleeping

Re: Question about sleeping

I sleep on my sides and sometimes my back. My. dr. said I can sleep on my back until 24 weeks, but after that, even if I wake up on my back, it's fine. You body will let you know when to change positions.