Strange question

[LauraNP]

Hi,
I'm going to ask my OB and cardiologist this but maybe you have some idea why this is happening. I am 19 1/2 weeks pregnant now.. everytime I lay on my left side (which is supposed to be goood for the baby) I get PVCs. I change positions and they go away. What is the physiological reason for this?? It's baffling me..

[JAMESFETT]

That's a good question for your cardiologist. Whatever the cause for this I don't think it is alarming. Positions do affect the heart nervous system and influences, so that may have something to do with it. You may also be more aware of any extra beats in that position. Right side vs left side could also play a role.

James

[melissamph]

Left sided laying is the best for the baby due to the Vena Cava not being as compressed. Better oxygenation for the baby due to the VC being fully dilated. Must have something to do with the PVC's I guess. Sorry I don't know for sure the PVC's but I just thought I would explain why left sided laying is better for the baby.

[LauraNP]

But why is it better than the right side? I remember asking this when I did my OB clinical and no one gave me a good answer.

It is weird though.

[melissamph]

I thought I explained that in my post. It is were the Vena Cava lies. It clearly is patent when on your left side and frees up the oxygen fully to the baby. Don't know how else to explain it. Maybe google it?

[SerenaWelsh]

Laura,
I had/have the exact same problems in laying on my left side. My cardiologist couldn't produce an explanation, but I'm interested to see if yours does.
The left side during my pregnancies with my last two children caused big palps. If I rotated a little so I was kind of on my stomach and kind of on my left side, I was fine. Mostly I slept on the right side.
I guess my gut tells me we aren't going to suffocate our unborn babies by just finding a comfortable position to sleep in.

[LauraNP]

I thought I explained that in my post. It is were the Vena Cava lies. It clearly is patent when on your left side and frees up the oxygen fully to the baby. Don't know how else to explain it. Maybe google it?

Sorry.. didn't realize the vena cava was on one side.. I thought it was in the middle so it would be patent both ways. :)

[melissamph]

It does indeed run up the middle but connected to the heart on the mid right side. Physiology is tough to understand! The only reason why I know is because I was tought that by my OB. Just sleep as comfortably as you can I say!!! I used to have to do kick counts a few times a day and he had me lie on my left side for the vena cave reason.

[julie]

It is also more uncomfortable for me to lay on my left side... even not pregnant since everything happened...but I thought it was just because it was my left lung that collapsed 2ce and the right one only collapsed..but not fully once. what does it feel like? I think i am referring to the PCP that u mentioned? ok, sounding stupid now...LOL sorry. Good luck. :)

[miracle baby]

I have that happen and I've not been pregnant for over 8 months.It scared me the first time.But I think alot of it is that you notice your heart betting more on you left side.Mine goes away to if I switch sides.Let us know what your doctor says.Good luck.