Ananya Basu Ananya Basu Asked 6 months ago

Is it bad to sleep on right side during pregnancy?

My mother-in-law is constantly telling me not to sleep on my right side during pregnancy, saying it can affect the baby. My doctor hasn't mentioned anything specific. Is it really bad or is it just an old wives' tale?

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6 answers

Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago
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In my third trimester, I found it very hard to stay on my left side all night. I used a pregnancy pillow and put a soft cushion behind my back to keep me tilted. If you shift to the right occasionally, it is perfectly fine, just stay comfortable.

Tanya Bajaj Tanya Bajaj Joined May 2026 6 months ago

Don't panic if you wake up on your right side! Your baby isn't playing a game of Tetris inside. While left is officially preferred, the right side is totally fine; just avoid sleeping flat on your back like a mummy.

Aradhana Sen Aradhana Sen Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago

I totally understand the anxiety of constantly checking your position at night; I used to wake up crying if I found myself on my right side. My gynecologist reassured me that occasional right-side sleeping is absolutely safe and won't hurt the baby. Try to take deep breaths and relax.

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Consult a obstetrics and gynaecologist

Shalini Hegde Shalini Hegde Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

Left side sleeping is best because it improves blood flow to the placenta, but nobody can stay in one position for 8 hours. If you roll over to the right side, don't stress. Just gently roll back when you wake up, and use a pillow between your knees.

Pooja Mishra Pooja Mishra Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

I used to set alarms every two hours to check my sleeping side, which was exhausting! Later, my doctor laughed and said both sides are fine, though left has a slight edge for circulation. Don't ruin your sleep over this, a happy tired mom needs her rest!

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Kiran Rathore Kiran Rathore Joined Jan 2026 6 months ago

Listen, sleeping on your left side is ideal, but sleeping on the right is not going to cause any harm. The main thing is to avoid lying flat on your back in the late months. Sleep comfortably and focus on eating well.

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