Sleeping While Pregnant... - Akron,OH

Updated on July 21, 2010
C.V. asks from Akron, OH
19 answers

So I'm 32 wks pregnant with my 2nd kid. YAY. SO obviously I don't get as much sleep as I want or probably need.
MY biggest issue...getting comfortable at night.
I have a pregnancy pillow that I LOVE, a big comfy bed etc. My problem is that I am REALLY in pain all the time from sleeping on my left side. Is it really that big of a deal for me to spend some time of the night/ day sleeping on my right side??

My left shoulder is ALWAYS hurting and I can NOT sleep because of it.

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M.H.

answers from Evansville on

As I always suggest, go see a chiropractor! ;) I received adjustments up until the day before I went into labor with my second and believe me, I wish I would have done it with my first. I slept better, no swelling in my ankles, and my labor went so much easier/quicker.
Also, I was totally more comfortable on my right side. I don't know why, position of the baby? But, my doctor said as long as I rotate my position, I was okay. So, I would flip from side to side.

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S.J.

answers from Cleveland on

I am 31 weeks and have the same issues..I sleep however is comfy at the moment.There is nothing wrong with switching to the right side..My doc says that when things start to get rough with braxton hicks and all that then that is the time to be on the left side :) hope this helps

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

I was advised to sleep however I could get comfortable, so I think "sleeping on your left side" might be a bit outdated. I know it's been around a while to prevent compression of the vena cava... but I had no trouble sleeping on either side or semi-reclined on my back (which is great to do every now and then if your hips hurt a lot).
Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Go for it. I don't think the left side matters as much as long as you're either on a side or propped up so you're not flat on your back. Yes, the left side is ideal, but I wouldn't worry about it. My first pregnancy I was only comfortable when sleeping on my back at an angle. I had all kinds of pillows to help prop me up and it was the only thing that worked. Good luck...you need as much sleep as you can get! ;)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from New York on

I couldn't sleep only on my left side so I spoke to the OB/GYn who told me that I could alternate between right and left. That made a huge difference. I'd ask first just to be certain.

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J.P.

answers from Austin on

I had problems sleeping on either sides (major shoulder issues). My OB said as long as I was comfortable sleeping on my back, the baby was obviously not compressing on the vena cava or otherwise it would be uncomfortable for me. Needless to say I slept most of my pregnancy on my back and my DD (2 1/2) is doing great!

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R.C.

answers from Lafayette on

I am almost 32 weeks with my second child too, and my doctor's nurse said it was fine to sleep on the right side. I think the left is better for circulation for both you and baby, but the right isn't harmful. I try to start on the left and switch every time I get up to use the bathroom during the night:) I would ask your doctor what their recommendation is but I haven't had any problems sleeping on the right side. Good luck!

T.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I am too am in my third trimester and I sleep on my back every night. My doctor told me to sleep however I can get comfy. He ALSO said that if I have been sleeping on my back that when I get up make sure I have all feeling in my legs before standing on them. Mine tend to go numb. With all the new technology I think it is pretty safe to sleep however you want or can for that matter.

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K.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I hear you....my left hip is killing me and it doesn't make matters any better sleeping on it all night. I've been switching from side to side and sometimes wake up on my back. Grrr.... : ) OB has said that I can sleep anyway that is comfortable, however I should limit the amount of time lying flat on my back. I think you can switch it up if you need to. Just double check with your OB to see if there is any partiucalr reason why you shouldn't. Good Luck!

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

I wake up on my back all the time, and have been told not to stress over it, and I'm high risk. I actually sleep mainly on my right side, because when I rest during the day it's on my left side and my hip is always killing me.

Another thought, I love love love my chiropractor, it's very safe as long as you go to one that knows how to deal with pregnant women and can really help with the pains.

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

I slept in a recliner the last couple weeks - HEAVEN.

Get one of those!!!!!!!!!

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Check with your OB, but I think you can sleep in any position as long as it's comfortable. I used my preg pillow to sleep on my right side so I was slightly tilted - I think it's a "blood flow" thing - was comfortable, and made me feel better that I wasn't lying flat on the right side :)

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A.G.

answers from South Bend on

I am pregnant with my 4th and have never really been comfy on the left side (for some reason, I am most comfortable this time around semi-belly lying position - weird, huh?) They are just recommendations as to what is best for "most" people. Not all people......your body is almost as different on the inside as it is on the outside, believe it or not. I am a surgical nurse.........I have seen it with my own eyes. lol

TRUST YOUR BODY! It knows what it is doing. As long as you listen to the signals and not ignore them, it will tell you what you need. Your body has the amazing ability to "notify" you if something is wrong.......i.e. discomfort.

Get some sleep prego!!! ;)

D.D.

answers from Sarasota on

Call OB. But I thought sleeping flat on your back was the big NO NO. Either side was OK.

A.D.

answers from Norfolk on

sleep however you're comfortable--if blood flow is being restricted, you will get light headed/dizzy/uncomfortable on your back or right side. The best way for me to get comfortable (even though my husband hates it because i snore in this position) is with a pillow wedged under one side of me so i'm sort of on my back but elevated enough to prevent the dizzies. It's heeeaaaven! Good luck and get some sleep :)

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V.S.

answers from Flagstaff on

Left side is recommended primarily for high blood pressure. These days any position that is comfortable is ok. If you sleep on your back it probably won't be comfortable for long because you might get out of breath and wake up or turn over anyway.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I slept on the couch, so that I could lean up against something. It helped take the pressure off of my hip and shoulder.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Gosh, no it's not bad to spend time on your right side. Obviously you can't sleep on your stomach, but it's even ok to spend some time on your back - you just don't want to sleep on your back all night or lay on your back on the couch for hours.

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S.B.

answers from Cleveland on

When I took a childbirth class at our hospital the teacher told us that so long as you are fairly young and healthy, you will automatically turn yourself to the other side if your blood flow starts to be constricted. In other words, she said not to worry about it too much because your body will take care of itself and you probably won't even wake up.

On my SIL's advice, I actually used the boppy nursing pillow in bed with me. I stuck one end between my knees and twisted the other end under my stomach on that side to help prop the baby up so it was a little more comfortable.

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