Sleeping on left side?

[jw1555]

Hi do you all sleep on your left side at night? I keep really really trying too but I constantly wake up and I'm either on the right side or on my back. I keep worrying that I'm going to harm the baby. Just wondered how many of you did this? I'm going to buy a pillow to go behind my back which may stop me turning over!

 

[noshowjo]

Nope ... I literally can't I'm a back sleeper and I have always been . I have 2 children already and never worried about this at all .

 

[Gingerspice]

I am a tummy sleeper. I am really struggling with sleeping now as can't lie on my belly. I just feel weird doing it.

At the moment I am happy to sleep whatever way I can bar on my tummy. I think the back rule is just to be wary of when really near the end, but from my experience last time by then you needed some support on the bump rather than leaving it straIght up in the air when on your back, so the issue of pressing down on nerves etc is prob not likely to happen

 

[Kitters]

I flip between right and left but rarely sleep on my back and never really have.

I wouldn't worry about baby too much, I think the no back sleeping rule is to do with your own organs/blood supply being squashed, not theirs. Although I would still take it with a pinch of salt and go with your own comfort, as it probably just applies to when you are well in to third trimester.

 

[jw1555]

Thanks that makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one! I just find the left side so Uncomfy and it's almost impossible to stay on one side!

 

[BabyHopes1974]

I try to alternate between left and right. I'm having twins so am afraid to sleep on back with all the extra weight, although my doctor never said I shouldn't.

 

[Nina83]

I'm usually a back sleeper, so it's tough for me, but I heard that both sides are fine, left is slightly more recommended for some reason.
I fall asleep on my left side and keep an extra pillow there so it's more comfortable. I put it between my legs so I can somehow sleep on my side/tummy.

 

[JT2013]

I got a pillow to support my hips which are very painful and it has the 'added benefit' of basically forcing you to sleep on the left. I still often wake up on my back though! I'm sure women survived years ago before we knew all this stuff!

 

[odouglass]

I usually am on my right side or my back. I try to sleep on my left, but when I do my hands go numb (even go numb on my right side).

 

[calm]

Whatever side I sleep on one of the twins kick me lol. To be fair no doctor has told me yet how to sleep or not to sleep, I might ask them tomorrow at my next appointment (though seeing neither on your back or on your stomach is good either it might have to be standing on my head )

 

[Pinkie 33]

I'm glad you asked about this as I've been worrying too. No matter how hard I try, with the proper pillows and everything, I cant get comfy sleeping on my sides, I always end up on my back. Its reassuring to see the replies. I'm also having twins and read that by week 20 I should always sleep on the side (didn't specify which though). I'll keep trying for now but like others, no doctor/midwife has mentioned this at all

 

[hannah berry]

First pregnancy I was a paranoid freak this time I sleep on what ever side I want too I eat what ever I want to except alcohol and obviously no no things but apart from that I don't think it really makes a difference.

 

[GeralynB]

I switch between my right and left side throughout the night. I was never a back or tummy sleeper so it hasn't really been a problem

 

[BabyHopes1974]

The other thing I do is prop up pillows behind me and lie at a propped up angle. It gives me more variety during the night. I put a pillow under my knees if I do this for extra comfort. Plus it helps with heartburn.

 

[Mrs Eleflump]

I'm usually a back/tummy sleeper, so I'm finding this really hard and keep waking up on my back. I'm using an extra pillow as a wedge, either under my bump so I can sleep on my side towards my front, or under one side of my back so I can be on my back but not flat. It's so hard to turn over without it being a complete performance, but it's so uncomfortable to stay in the 'right' position for long! I'm only 26 weeks, too, what am I going to be like near my due date

 

[calm]

I'm usually a back/tummy sleeper, so I'm finding this really hard and keep waking up on my back. I'm using an extra pillow as a wedge, either under my bump so I can sleep on my side towards my front, or under one side of my back so I can be on my back but not flat. It's so hard to turn over without it being a complete performance, but it's so uncomfortable to stay in the 'right' position for long! I'm only 26 weeks, too, what am I going to be like near my due date

I hear you girl! I am 23 weeks tomorrow and every time I turn round I feel like humpty dumpty! Also scared what I will be like by due date

 

[CastawayBride]

It is better to sleep on the left side as it has better circulation. I end up going from left to right as I go numb lol

The issue with laying on your back is the baby's heart beat can drop.

 

[salu_34]

I'm usually a tummy sleeper, so having to change has been an adjustment ! I start out on my left side, but I get really bad back pain during the night, so I either end up on my back or my right side to alleviate it. I'm going to talk to my doctor when I go in at 21 weeks to see about sleep positions and all that.

 

[CastawayBride]

For anyone interested this helps me tremendously! I was originally a stomach sleeper too so I feel your pain!

Odd enough while in bed I feel sore in my lady parts, like someone kicked me there? I am assuming it is blood flow and baby but I end up going to lay in the recliner at times b/c of it!

https://smile.amazon.com/Comfort-To...d=1404153058&sr=1-1&keywords=comfort+u+pillow

I put the U at my feet so I can use my own pillow. It helps the hips if you have issues with that but further along you go, the numbing will happen. It is just starting to become an issue for me at night again in this pregnancy.

 

[RandaPanda]

Great thread! I've been worried about this too. I'm usually a tummy sleeper, but have managed to fall asleep each night kind of on my left side/kind of on my tummy...but I toss and turn all night, and end up all over the place!i find it really frustrating because I have NEVER been a back sleeper at all...and now suddenly when it's the worst position for me to be in, I find myself waking up on my back all the time!

I did read that your body will typically cause you to wake up if you're in an uncomfortable position for too long, so it's best to not worry if you find that you wake up on your back/tummy/right side because your body naturally realizes that it's not ideal after a short enough time, and that's why you wake up. When I wake, I just turn back onto my left side and then let the tossing and turning resume until the next time I wake up due to discomfort (or the need to pee!!)