Why Should Pregnant Women Sleep On The Left Side?

Why should pregnant women sleep on the left side? It makes no difference whether you fall asleep on your right, left, back, or belly sides once you're asleep.

You'll be tossing and turning on autopilot for the rest of your life. Whether you are pregnant or not, your body will adjust to keep you as comfortable as possible.

The myth is most likely related to a fear of excessive vena cava pressure affecting blood flow to the fetus.

Even when the vena cava problem is present, fetal hemoglobin is designed to extract oxygen from maternal blood.

We see this in labor with spinal and epidurals, but staff notices and corrects the problem. 

If sleeping while pregnant was a problem, humans would have evolved to have the male stay up all night to protect the pregnant female by occasionally flipping her from left to right and then repeating the process.

Read: Why Baby Hates Getting Dressed After Bath?

FAQs Related To Why Should Pregnant Women Sleep On The Left Side

Why should a pregnant woman sleep on her right side?

This position allows for maximum blood flow and nutrients to the placenta (resulting in less pressure on the vena cava) and improves kidney function, resulting in better waste elimination and less swelling in your feet, ankles, and hands.

Why sleeping on the left side is better when you're pregnant?

Experts advise sleeping on your left side. It improves circulation, making it easier for nutrient-rich blood to travel from your heart to the placenta and nourish your baby.

Lying on your left side also prevents your expanding body weight from putting undue strain on your liver. While either side is acceptable, the left is preferable.

When do you need to start sleeping on your left side during pregnancy?

Though it is unlikely to harm your baby, you will most likely become too uncomfortable by the end of the first trimester, if not sooner. 

Read: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Freezing Your Eggs?

According to The Lancet, sleeping on your side is safest for you and your baby by the 28th week because it allows you both to get the blood flow you require.

When should I stop sleeping on my right side during pregnancy?

After about 20 weeks, the uterus' weight can compress these vessels, reducing blood flow back to your heart and to the baby. Historically, practitioners advised sleeping with a slight tilt to the left to relieve pressure on the aorta and vena cava.

What happens if you accidentally sleep on your back while pregnant?

Compressing this can cause blood flow to your baby to be disrupted, leaving you nauseated, dizzy, and out of breath. Back sleeping can also cause the aorta to constrict, cutting off the main blood supply to your body and placenta.

Can you lay on your right side pregnant?

Many doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep on their left side. Previous research has linked back and right-side sleeping to an increased risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a potentially fatal high blood pressure disorder affecting the mother.

Read: What Foods Are Best To Cook For A 2 Year Old?

Does the baby sleep in the womb when the mother sleeps?

Sensation. Babies prefer to sleep in the womb while their mother is awake after about 18 weeks because the movement can rock them to sleep.

Can we sleep on the right side during pregnancy?

Doctors recommend sleeping on your side, either right or left, to ensure optimal blood flow for you and your baby. You could also try using pillow props to get into the most comfortable position for you. Get as much sleep as you can before your baby is born.

What happens to the baby when I sleep on my left side?

One of the smaller research studies, from Auckland, New Zealand, found that sleeping on the left side on the last night of pregnancy cut the risk of stillbirth in half compared to sleeping on the right.

Why should a pregnant woman sleep with a pillow between her legs?

Placing a pillow between your legs helps to keep your pelvis neutral and your spine from rotating during the night.

Read: Which Cooking Method Is Best for Baby Food?

Why does my baby kick when I sleep on my left side?

If they're transverse, meaning they're laying across your abdomen, you'll probably feel more kicks on the right or left side, depending on which way they're facing. Aside from kicks, you may feel pressure from the baby's head or back pressing against your belly.