Questions & Answers

theres no set "week" you should sleep on your sides its recommended especailly on the left side because blood flow and oxygen are better for baby threw placenta but at 5 weeks the baby is so small and the placenta is in the early stages of still developing. as long as your comfy thts all that matters.

Thanks for the info! I guess I will try to get in the habit of sleeping on my left side but not totally stress out if I end up on my back during the night. I really appreciate all the great answers from everyone!! Thx. :)

This is an expert answer from thebump.com: I had the same problem when I was pregnant. Doctors recommend that you avoid sleeping on your back after your first trimester because it causes you to unintentionally focus your weight on a major vein that moves blood to the heart from your feet and legs, which in turn forces the heart to work harder. But doctors also tend to be quick to tell you not to worry about it if you wake up and find that you've rolled onto your back. Changing positions while you snooze is normal, and losing sleep over whether you're in the right position doesn't do anyone any good.

That said, it's recommended that you train yourself to sleep on your side -- ideally your left one because the position improves blood flow throughout your body, including to your uterus and fetus.

Using body and regular pillows as sleep props is a great way to help you get and stay as comfortable as possible during the coming months.

I start out laying on my side, but end up on my back every night. It won't hurt the baby, you're fine sleeping on your back =)

Thank you so much for your answers, ladies! I totally agree with the need to get sleep being so important and I am trying to get it anyway I can right now! Thanks, again for all of your helpful responses. :)

You can stay on your back as long as it is comfortable for you to do so. In the third trimester when the baby is putting a lot of pressure on your spine you may find it easier to lay on your side to relieve some pressure and increase circulation. That's the reason for side sleeping anyway, but if you are okay staying on your back at that point, go for it. Sleep will be very precious to you at that point (especially with the hourly trips to the restroom)and you should do whatever makes sleeping easier.

I was a stomach sleeper so I had to eventually make the transition (but it wasn't until my bump got to be much larger probably middle-to late 2nd trimester)...I'm 35 weeks now and I am really looking forward to eventually sleeping on my stomach again because it hasn't been easy! LOL

I agree w/ JessicaWall11; This is my first pregnancy and I'm a stomach sleeper to the core. It has been incredebly difficult for me to adjust to sleeping on either side; and many times I wake up on my back. I asked my MD about this, and she said that while it is recommended that you sleep on the left side, pregnancy makes it hard enough to get comfortable to sleep and to sleep however I can at this point. I'm almost 27 weeks pregnant and so far so good. I'm sure that the benefits of sleeping and getting rest are outweighing the "risk" of sleeping on your back. Good luck!

You can continue to sleep on your back your whole pregnancy if its comfortable. Yes it is recommended to sleep on your left, but not many women do it. I sleep on my right side which is apparently a no no, but Ive done it comfortably both of my pregnancies. So do whatever you feel is comfortable.