How do you get comfortabke enough to sleep?

[Petcat]

I am 33+3. I feel like I am going mad because I am unable to sleep and CANNOT get comfortable lying on either side. I keep getting attacks of this hot, burning pain in my ribs when I lie down at night. It starts in my right ribcage and spreads round my back, and eventually it feels like my chest is being crushed in a vice throughout the night. It fades away to an annoying ache in the day, and kicks back in every night a couple of hours after I go to bed. Midwife says it's normal rib flare and to be expected in a first pregnancy.

I have also had PGP since early on and have coped by sleeping on my left side using a full body pillow, a pillow behind my back and a duvet under the sheet. My hips still ache but it's bearable. However, this arrangement now seems to be making my rib pain even worse.

Has anyone got any innovative sleep solutions you could suggest please? The rib pain eases a little if I'm on my back but I start to feel dizzy and my legs go a bit numb so that's a bit of a non-starter really. How do you get comfy enough to sleep in the final weeks of pregnancy?

[FaceLikeAPickledYonion]

I think many women would pay good money for the answer to that!
I've got 2dc and barely slept from 30wks. I'm sure It's mother natures way of preparing you for the night feeds.
Try to have little naps where you can, sofa's are always great for that.
Also I remember the aches and pains and rib ache of pregnancy, thankfully that's something that goes when little bundles arrive. :)

[HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm]

It's dreadful isn't it! I'm in my second pregnancy 40+5 and I've had rib flare from 24 ish weeks and pgp from 26ish weeks. With the pgp I used duvet/pillows as you describe. I'm afraid the rib flare is pretty much impossible to resolve.

You can try taking paracetamol before bed, try sleeping semi-upright, but I can give you a bit of hope: your baby is likely to start dropping soon and with engagement comes a few weeks of blessed relief from the rib flare (sadly has returned again for me now). Nap whenever you can, am assuming you're not working now.

Hypnotherapy is also great for controlling pain (I use this one) and helping you sleep.

When you get to 37 weeks you can use tens, just a bit higher up.

Don't sleep on your back - if it's making you dizzy it's compromising the blood supply to your head, other vital organs and your baby. Some women get away with sleeping on their back, but I'm afraid not you. I get caval compression sleeping on my right too so only have one option!

When baby arrives and keeps you up all night, you will still feel soooooo much better than when you were pregnant, I promise! Hang on in there.

[Petcat]

Thank you both! I did think it's probably just another one of those horrible pregnancy things you have to put up with, but I am very grateful for the useful tips.

I am definitely going to have a go at napping semi-upright on the sofa - I presume this won't compromise my circulation too much? I guess it's a good idea to learn how to nap here and there for when baby arrives anyway. I'll give the hynotherapy a go too, and keep my fingers crossed baby decides to engage sooner rather than later.

[MammaCici]

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005C8ELB4/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1366219000&sr=8-18&pi=SL75&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

I got one of these early on (circa 12 weeks) and didn't think it was great at first. But as my pregnancy progressed I just love it. I'm almost 38 weeks and it's an essential bit of kit for me now. I got the original one (it's bigger than the economy size). I'm 5'5" and it's perfect. Comes in different colours / fabrics and you can get spare covers. I snuggle up with it every night and it keeps me comfy and helps me stay on my side. It's a bit pricy but it can be used as a nursing pillow afterwards. I can't rate it as a nursing pillow yet but I expect it will do the job. We'll see.

[MammaCici]

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B005C8ELB4/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1366219000&sr=8-18&pi=SL75&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[orangeshortbread]

I bought a dream genii pillow and it made a big difference - took a couple of nights to get used to the position it supports you in but once I was used to it I slept much better. Also doubles up as a breastfeeding cushion.

[SeriousStuff]

I'm only 14+4 and I already can't find a comfortable position where I place my ankles and knees on top of one another (when sleeping on my side). This is how I've always slept, but suddenly it seems very awkward.

Think I need to invest in some extra pillows...

[MammaCici]

Can't remember why I chose the theraline over the dream genii. They probably do the same job. The theraline is almost beanbag like but much finer. It totally moulds to your body and if there's a bit that's not comfy you can bash it into shape.