Why the Left Side?

During your pregnancy you will likely hear and read many times that it is best to sleep on your left side.

But why is that?

1.This promotes a good position for your baby to drop into the widest part of your pelvis. It encourages LOA position, which is the ideal birthing position

2. The main artery, near your sternum, the vena cava, goes down to your placenta. This keeps the vena cava from being restricted and allows blood to easily be carried back to the heart from the lower body, as well as from your heart to your baby.

3. It optimizes blood flow to the placenta, which allows consistent flow of oxygen and nutrients to your baby

4. Your heart is on the left side so this allows for good circulation. It lowers the chance of varicose veins, hemorrhoids and leg swelling

5. It can reduce indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux because it allows a better position of the stomach for gas to move properly down, instead of up into your esophagus

6. It takes the weight off the liver, allowing it to function more efficiently

These are all great things but it does not mean you need to be stressing about staying on your left side the entire night.  Your hips will likely get sore and you will want to move and that is ok.  Laying on your left side is just the ideal position for the majority of the time. 

You can start sleeping on your left and you will most likely naturally move positions in your sleep.  When you get up to use the restroom (because most pregnant women do in the night) or if you wake up in your sleep then simply go back to your left side.