sleeping postions..

what slleping positon do you sleep? on your left side, right side, back? my doctor gave me a pamphlet that says that i am not allowed to sleep on my back for a long period of time.. why is that??? anyone know?
thank you

Re: sleeping postions..

Yes I am a back sleeper (when I'm not pregnant) but when I was, I had to sleep on my left side.. That was the only way I would sleep. but it was tough. Oftentimes, I or my husband had to prop me to prevent me from going on my back.

They say that you can't sleep on your back because the baby it can cause problems with backaches, breathing, your digestive system, hemorrhoids, low blood pressure and decrease in circulation to your heart and the baby. and they also say to sleep on your left side over your right because it increases the amount of blood and nutrients that reach the placenta and your baby.

Re: sleeping postions..

At what point should you stop sleeping on your back? I am a tosser and turner. I sleep on all 3 during the night. BUt I am trying not to sleep on my back.

Re: sleeping postions..

I try to sleep on my left side - and I always have a pillow between my legs.

Of course in the morning, the pillow is probably on the floor and I'm either on my back or right side....

Doctors do recommend you sleep on your left side and stay off your back.

I actually get shortness of breath and its very uncomfortable to be on my back for a long period of time.

Re: sleeping postions..

In all the books ya read, it is recommended to sleep on your Left Side. This is because your major arteries and veins run along your Right Side. By laying on your back or right side, the weight of the baby & uterus, will put pressure on these major vessels. It can be hazardous r/t Blood Clots and swelling. Laying on your Left side whenever possible is the best, so the blood flow back to the heart is at it's greatest. I hope this helps you understand. I toss and turn when I sleep, but try my hardest to stay on the Left Side.

Re: sleeping postions..

I start on my left side since it's best for baby and sometimes I switch to my right side. They say avoid sleeping on your back because it puts pressure on your vena cava vein/artery and slows the heartbeat down (they told me that last part at my NST)

Re: sleeping postions..

I start off on my left side, but I turn to my right too. I try to avoid laying on my back, but it happens sometimes.

Re: sleeping postions..

I am mainly a left side sleeper anyhow, so it's pretty easy for me to sleep on my left side...however, being so uncomfortable these last few weeks I've been switching between my right and left sides.

I've never been a big back sleeper but sometimes do wind up on my back.

Re: sleeping postions..

I go to sleep on my left or right side but always wake up on my back. Oh well!