Stupid Question? Why left rather than right?

Why left side-lying? Research indicates that while lying on her left side (as compared to right side-lying and flat on her back), a pregnant woman's cardiac output is optimized, as is the oxygenation of her blood. All this suggests to the researchers that any aortocaval compression is less in left side-lying. I am still looking for a reference for this, but I had always learned that it was because of anatomy. The vena cava runs lateral to the midline of the body on the right side, and the aorta to the left. Veins are much less rigid than arteries (particularly the aorta), and would be more prone to compression from a heavy, pregnant uterus than arteries.

Yet, neither the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, nor the Society of Obstetricans and Gynaecologists of Canada make any recommendations on sleeping positioning during pregnancy, and most of my client's obstetricians when approached around this issue, will tell their patients that a healthy woman doesn't need to worry about sleep positioning; she needs to focus on getting comfortable and listening to her body (ie., if she feels dizzy or faint while lying flat on her back, she shouldn't lie on her back).

Because your heart is on your left side so it will pump a better blood flow to your uterus....your body is pumping blood for two people now.

When u lay on your right side, you cut off cirrulaction for the baby, and thats not good, yes its hard to stay on 1 side, trust me, i have 3 kids and it was hard for me, i layed on mine, but i didnt stay there long, if it dont work for u try getting a body pillow to see if that will help u, thats what i had to do and it worked great, good luck

The babys head is at the bottom left side of your tummy. Thus laying the left, keeps your baby on its back in the position it needs to be before delivery.

why up or down