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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Sleeping positions, AGAIN! Pleeeeease help

13 replies

Deliaskis · 13/10/2010 11:18

Sorry to post about this again, but I'm still really struggling with sleeping positions.

Am 21+4 and have a fairly good sized bump. Normally sleep on front, can't anymore due to bump. Trying to sleep on side, but whichever side I try, after about half an hour my shoulder feels kind of compressed and it really hurts. Can't sleep on back as get loads of horrid phlegm gathering in throat and am then sick. I've got an L-shaped pillow but haven't found any way to use it that helps really.

At the moment I'm getting what I would call an average night's sleep about every 4 nights, and the other nights hardly anything, as I just can't get comfy.

So I guess my question is (and I have tried googling, but to no avail), has anybody found any special arrangements of pillows (or amazing magic pillow product) that has allowed you to still sleep on your front? I have tried ordinary pillows under hips and chest to take weight off bump but it seems like my spine just sags in the middle and puts even more weight on the bump.

Anyone any genius solutions? Or do I just have to suck it up and accept that I'm not going to sleep well until after pregnancy (well until several years after really!)?

PS Sorry this is probably a repeat of other posts, but seriously, at this point I would consider selling a relative to get a good night's sleep.

OP posts:

yellowflowers · 13/10/2010 11:20

Friend gave me a v shaped pillow - not massive like for breast feeding but not small either and I sleep propped up a bit on it.

Original poster

Deliaskis · 13/10/2010 11:26

yellowflowers, propped up which way round?

OP posts:

Bradyboo · 13/10/2010 11:36

I have been haviung a similar problem. I have found that a warm bath with some epsom bath salts and then 12 drops of lavender oil before I get into help really really helps. It relaxs everything. I sleep with a pillow under my back, one between my knees and one under my bump.
I have also had a maternity massage and a reflexology session both of which have really helped me sleep afterwards.
I hope that hel;ps xxx

buttonmoon78 · 13/10/2010 11:42

I am a front sleeper too. I found in pgs 1&2 that sleeping in the recovery position was the closest I could find to what I wanted.

With pg3 I had terrible spd so was unable to sleep like that. The only position which was wholly unexcruciating was properly on my side. This really hurt my shoulder but if you can get a decent thick mattress topper or even put a spare duvet under your sheet that helps.

Good luck!

JennySuperB · 13/10/2010 11:45

Can you get water mattresses, just temporary ones like you can get air mattresses? I know what you mean about the compressed shoulder, maybe water would help? Or maybe get a foam mattress and dig a little scoop out where your shoulder goes?

yellowflowers · 13/10/2010 11:48

on my back but so I am halfway between sitting and sleeping. I am 31 and a bit weeks and have just started to find sleeping on my back makes me a bit uncomfortable - but propped myself up so I could breathe as I have a cold and found it a brilliant sleeping position.

Original poster

Deliaskis · 13/10/2010 11:52

Ooooh actually some good (and new) ideas here.

Maybe you're right Brady, perhaps if I was fully properly relaxed beforehand (and I am not denying that I am fed up with this and this in itself may be hindering me from being properly relaxed on going to bed), the shoulder thing might not bother me so much.

buttonmoon, I am still trying to work on the recovery position type of approach, but so far still feeling like it's too much pressure on bump. Haven't given up yet though!

And buttonmoon and JennySuperB, thanks for suggestions on making mattress etc. more comfy for shoulder, that's a good idea, as I think I could sleep on my side if it didn't hurt, as it's the pain that's keeping me awake rather than just general 'I can't sleep like this'.

Thanks again ladies, these are genuinely new and helpful ideas, which is lovely for someone who thought she had tried everything! I don't mean to sound surprised that people here were being helpful, I just didn't think there would be anything I hadn't tried.

OP posts:

buttonmoon78 · 13/10/2010 12:53

am not always helpful...!

Keep working on the recovery position. My mum told me to do it but ended up travelling 3 hrs a week later to show me as I couldn't get to grips with it!

Original poster

Deliaskis · 13/10/2010 13:05

LOL buttonmoon at your mum travelling 3 hrs to show you - what are her fees like?

OP posts:

saucetastic · 13/10/2010 13:05

There was a thread months back about those air mattresses with a pregnancy hole in them. I think they were called 'holo'. I've just got used to sleeping on my side/back and found out my bump is breech, so i'm considering using it. Don't know if this would be bad for my spd tho... Too many variables! here

buttonmoon78 · 13/10/2010 13:18

Oh, mum only works for family. Now my fees on the other hand, it's all about perceived value, non?

MiniMarmite · 13/10/2010 13:24

I am a front sleeper too and now 33 weeks with my second and having a lot of hip pain too. On really bad nights the only way I can sleep in on the sofa with my back facing the back of the sofa, leaning as far forward as I can over my dreamgenii pillow with the top leg raised. I also have to have a bath before bed and DH has to massage my legs and feet!

At least I am now looking forward to labour !

Original poster

Deliaskis · 13/10/2010 13:25

Right now I would pay all my worldly wealth!

Off to look for 'holo' air mattresses!

OP posts:

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