Does it matter which side you sleep on in early pregnancy?

[Veekay80]

I’m 5 weeks pregnant and very paranoid as it’s my first one. I read yesterday that you should sleep on your left to allow more blood etc to get to the fetus and now I’m so worried that I’ve caused harm or something because I sleep on my right as it’s more comfortable. I know this sounds silly and pathetic but does it matter what side you sleep on so early in a pregnancy? I just want to make sure I’m doing what I can to help kind feel I’ve been left in the dark now till my 1st scan and I know google is the worst thing you can do! Any advice? Xxx

Thanks xx

[Wishfully]

I was wondering about the exact same thing! I think it probably only really matters when the baby is bigger & the weight of the fetus can restrict the blood flow... but would be good to know. Congratulations by the way! 😊xx

[Hidden]

Hi, yes the left side is the best to sleep on. I used to sleep on my right side too but eventually trained myself to sleep on my left.

Try not to worry too much although I know it's easier said than done but it should be ok at this early stage.

Good luck with everything xx

[Hidden]

According to Tommy’s ( a charity which provides information about pregnancy and miscarriage) it does not matter in the first trimester. If you look at their website they have lots of useful information. They have a campaign about sleeping on your side but it is for the third trimester. If you do sleep on your back, it might be worth trying to train yourself now x

Www.tommys.org

[Veekay80 in reply to Hidden]

That’s very helpful,I’ll take a look, thank you so much xx

[anna0908]

Sleeping on your side is far more important than which side you sleep on, and only thought to matter after your first trimester. I had hip pain when sleeping on one said too long, so I had to alternate sides through the night, or would have been in agony! He came out at a healthy 8lb 5oz, so don't think it did him any harm! Certainly wouldn't worry too much at the stage your at as too small to put pressure on your blood vessels xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

I got a booklet in my pack from the midwife and it talks about sleeping on your left in late pregnancy (like, the end of third trimester). I also remember the news story when this research came out saying about doing this at the end of pregnancy. I’m sure it’s fine to start practising now but it won’t matter for a good few weeks yet.

[AllWeNeedIsluv]

Thanks for asking this question this is something that's bothered me quite a bit.

Thanks for the answers ladies

💝😘💝

[Hope_4_2017x]

I think guidelines are left only after 16 weeks.. but I slept on both the whole time and little 9 week old Noah is fit and healthy 😀 xx

[Hidden]

Hi Veekay i’m almost 10 weeks and have been having weekly scans since 6 weeks and all is well even though I’ve been sleeping in all positions- my back and mainly my right side as I’ve had pain in my left shoulder for a year now. The first trimester is not a problem but into 2nd and third i’m slowly training myself to side sleep as I know it affects blood pressure and circulation to the baby but definitely do not worry for now x

[Laura3101]

Any side sleeping is good I think, I naturally sleep more on my left side but I actually found sleeping on my back comfortable during my pregnancy so had to keep making sure I consciously moved to the side but my daughter is a happy 5 month old now and was a good 8lb 8 when born 😊 x

[jupiter1234]

I had to alternate between my left and right sides as my hips would hurt so much my midwife said that's absolutely fine and she said they go on about it sleeping on your side more in the last trimester xx