Pregnancy is a blessing to women. But this time of period, women wonder about a lot of things and also, for the safeguard of the baby, they show eagerness in their sleeping position. One of the common asks is “Does baby Move to whatever side you are sleeping on?” So does it have any scientific evidence to support it?
Now, this has yet to give any specific or straightforward answers. There are factors that can influence the baby’s position in the womb. Yet, the mother’s sleeping position plays a role in promoting optimal fetal development. Some research says the mother’s supine position in late pregnancy is unable to provide oxygen and nutrients for the fetal growth.
So still, I don’t have conclusive evidence on which side sleeping in during pregnancy, but one thing is for sure, to have a healthy pregnancy sleeping habit is important. So Here I’ll try to find out the scientific evidence on the role of the mother’s sleeping side on the baby’s movement and factors that affect the fetal position.
Different Fetal Movements During Pregnancy
You may be wondering why I am going to discuss baby’s movement when you are here to know how to safely sleep baby on side. Fetal movement is a part of monitoring information about your baby’s well-being. Frequent fetal movements is a sign of the health and development of the baby.
Fetal movements allow you to know the normal fetal activity, so while sleeping on side, you must know if the baby is comfortable. So let’s see the fetal movements occur during pregnancy.
Kicks and Punches
These are the most noticeable a pregnant woman can feel. The baby grows and gains strength when the pregnancy reaches around 30 weeks. Then they kick and punch more frequently. Sometimes loud noises and changes in sleeping position make the baby respond with kicks and punches.
Rolling
Baby moves around the womb; roll and turn is a common scenario. The movements are necessary for the baby to explore its surroundings and practice primary movement after birth.
Hiccups
When a baby inhales amniotic acid and exhales, they face hiccups. So, a mother can feel it during pregnancy. But identifying hiccups is difficult; sometimes, it feels like a rhythmic sensation inside the tummy
Stretching and Flexing
Grown babies, like around 30 weeks, stretch and flex their limbs. That allows a mother to feel baby’s movements or the sensation of pressure.
Breathing Movements
It starts around 28 weeks. Mother will get used to this movement after 28 weeks, and it will become normal for her.
Factors of Fetal Movements
Now, you know about fetal movements, but do you know the factors that influence the fetal movements? Let’s see the factors
Maternal Activity
The mother’s physical activity may increase the baby’s movement. Also, when mothers relax and rest, their movements decrease.
Maternal Position
Mother’s position also influences fetal movement. Some positions are more conducive to baby’s movement than other positions.
Maternal Health
Hypertension and gestational diabetes can impact fetal movements. Smoking, drinking, and drugs affect fetal movement.
These are the most common factors a mother can have in fetal movements. Absent or decreased fetal movements are a warning sign of fetal distress. It can lead to a stillbirth if you do not address it timely and properly discuss it with the healthcare provider.
Reasons that Affects the Baby’s Position in the Womb
A variety of factors influence the baby’s position in the womb. These factors may have an impact on labor and delivery. Generally, healthcare providers monitor the baby’s position during the pregnancy period and give suggestions for interventions if needed. The factors are-
The Shape and Size of Uterus
The tilted uterus, also known as the retroverted uterus, doesn’t affect pregnancy or delivery usually. Sometimes the tilted or irregular shape makes moving the bay in an optimal position in the womb difficult.
Multiple Fetuses
If the mother carries more than one fetus, they stay in a more likely unusual position like transverse (sideways) or breech (feet or buttocks first) in the womb.
Amniotic Fluid
It works to cushion and support the baby. Also babies can move freely because of amniotic fluid. But excessive amniotic fluid makes it more difficult for the baby to move into an optimal position.
Maternal Position
If a mother spends more time in a sitting position, it makes it more difficult for the baby to move freely. Moreover, the baby’s size has a good role for maintaining the optimal position in the womb.
Does the Baby Move When You Lay on Your Side?
Yes, the baby moves when the pregnant woman lies on her side. According to healthcare providers, sleeping on the side improves the blood flow and nutrient delivery to the baby.
Many women ask why does my baby move when I lay on my side? Baby moves because it gets enough space when you lay on your side. Now the question comes when you sleep sideways, where does the baby go?
In the BabyCenter community, a pregnant woman named O’Mommy apprehended if she was smashing her baby laying on her side because gravity took her 18 weeks belly over that time, and she sensed her baby’s bumped leans. So, she was kinda afraid that she might harm the baby by laying on her side.
We can see why it’s understandable that even doctors suggest every pregnant woman sleep sideways because of the baby’s movement it feels like the baby is not in a good situation. So baby movement while sleeping on your side is not concerning.
Which Side the Baby Move When You Lay your Side
RYs Gurl posted in the Babycenter community she was told by the nurse that the baby moves away from the side she was laying on. But she found out the opposite. so how to safely lay baby on side?
If you go through the comments of the post, you’ll find out baby movement experience is different for every woman. Some babies stay on the side while the mother is sleeping. Some move away from mothers sleeping position.
KrysLax212 commented that her baby used to move to the side where she is sleeping on. And when she used to get up from bed, one side of tummy used to look way bigger.
So baby movement while sleeping on your side shouldn’t make you feel very tense. Babies can move either way. It depends on the mother and baby only.
Different Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy
| Sleeping Position | Benefits | Risks |
| Left side | Ensures optimal blood flow from the Vena Cava. takes away the pressure from the liver and kidneys. Decrease the swelling of hands, ankles and feet. | None Reported |
| Right Side | Gives almost equal safety like left side sleeping. But doctors mostly recommend the left side. | Slight compression issues of the Vena Cava. |
| Back | Raise the risk of stillbirth after 28 weeks of pregnancy. | Abnormal heart rhythms during labor mostly. |
Listen, this is the basic difference between sleeping positions during pregnancy. But I always suggest you talk to your healthcare provider about your sleeping positions. Because if your baby is heavy or has some other issues or if you have twin babies, then these sleeping rules may not be for you.
Effect of Different Sleeping positions During Early Pregnancy
According to the research of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, sleeping on the back or side until the 30th week of pregnancy does not increase the risk of stillbirth. Let me show it to you.
| Sleep Position | % of Women | Adverse Outcomes |
| Left side | 42% | 10.7% |
| Right side | 32% | 9.9% |
| Back | 11% | 9.5% |
| front | 1% | 11.3% |
| Mixed | 8% | 10.1% |
| Other | 6% | 10.2% |
The Study Focused on the sleep habits of 8,700 women who responded to sleep habits on two occasions from 6th to 13th week. But the adverse outcome came to only 1,900 women.
What happens to a baby when you sleep on your side?
Does lying on your side make the baby move? well, this is another similar question. Baby either moves towards your side, or it moves away. Both incidents happen for pregnant women.
Why does the baby kick more when I lay on my left side?
Because the baby is facing away, it means the baby is in a transverse position. That’s why you get kicked both on your left side.
Do babies favor one side of the womb?
Yeah, it happens. But doctors say babies prefer both sides of the womb. It may feel like your baby is preferring one side of the womb, but it happens for the position of the baby and the way it is laying in the womb at that moment.
Final Words
Hopefully, you have got the answer: does the baby move when I lay on my side? Yes, sometimes the bay moves whatever side you are sleeping in and sometimes moves away from it. But the traditional rule is you must sleep on your left side; though research proves that sleeping positions do not have much impact, much research is still needed.
Check out our other posts if you’re having questions about pregnancy, motherhood or while raising your baby! Can you get a colonic while pregnant? Generally, it is not recommended, now how can you clean bowels while pregnant? Check out the article to get your answers!