Hi girls,
I was wondering if u girls always sleep on the left side. I try to sleep as much as possible on the left side but after a while my hands pain and I get uncomfortable and then I change my position and start sleeping on the right side and keep changing positions several times at night. In fact, I am still sleeping a little bit on my tummy which is my favourite position, do u think it will harm the baby in any way. Cause I read that the baby is so protected inside the womb that it wont be harmed but still I get scared. I get nice sleep when I sleep on my tummy but sleeping throughout the night on the left side is very very uncomfortable. Should I seriously stop sleeping on my tummy and right side?? Sandhya replied. Like you, I too used to love sleeping on my tummy before my pregnancy. In fact I would never be able to sleep if I am not in this position. But early on in my pregnancy I read that sleeping on the left side is the best for the baby as there is a more efficient use of your heart and liver if you sleep on that side.

I did read recently in a book that it is not possible to sleep in one side throughout the night. So if you do find yourself on your right side, back or tummy, simply move to the left side and then continue sleeping. This is what I usually do, when I get up at nite (and these days I guess we all get up many times to go to the loo), and find myself on my right or back, then I turn to my left side and continue to sleep.

Hope this helps you....
Radhika replied. U r just like me ...i am a person who loves sleeping on my tummy...broke the habit becoz my doc asked me to..first 3-4 months he said don't worry at all..baby is safe. I know friends who did sleep in the 5th month too, later anyway it will uncomfortable for ur back..I broke the habit with my doc's suggestion to keep pillows when i sleep on my side, so even if u turn on jur tummy unknowingly u will feel the pillow and get back in position...first few days slept consciously on left side, now used to it..it is uncomfortable at times being on one side..i turn on the right for an hour or so and turn back..but try to be on the left for longer hours, u will get used to it..don't worry..read on site/books, if u sleep left side, blood flow to baby is maintained..so if it helps baby, try to change it...don't think its harmful even if don't sleep all the time on left..legs felt uncomfortable initially sleeping on one side, kept pillow in between legs which is no fun but reduced pain in leg.don't worry if u have slept till now on ur tummy try to change if u can, if u cannot consult ur doc..i am sure u will once ur tummy is too huge to sleep on tummy later on...take care.
bye
Bargavi replied. Susan
I try to sleep mostly on the left.
Or worst case on the right. U shld change ur habit and not sleep on tummy bcos the more the bigger u get its tough. Also I can feel the baby moving if I sleep on left. I read if u have any pain or contractions doc will tell to drink lot of water and sleep on the left side. What I mean to say is sleeping on the left is the best for baby since more blood flows to them in that angle. I know its tough to be on left, since I also get hand and backpains but kind of u will get used to it slowly.
Bargavi Anu replied. Hi Susan,

I completed 20 weeks and into 21st week. I try to sleep on left side. But after a while I too feel pain in my body on left side, then I switch to right. Like you, I keep changing sides. But I don't sleep on tummy or back. These two positions are not good. So, try to avoid sleeping on tummy. I read in books that it is not good.

As Ritu, I also keep a soft pillow beside my stomach so that i don't put force on my stomach. You should put pillow sligtly down your belly as it will support to your belly and that also helps the back. You can also put a pillow in between your legs as it will help blood circulation for you and your baby. I feel better when I sleep with pillow side of me. Try it out.

Anu Ritu, replied. Hi ! how are you ? I am in my 18th week right now . I try to sleep on my left side by keeping a pillow behind me so i dont roll on my back in the night . Mostly it helps .
Best wishes,
Ritu