How on earth do you manage not to sleep on your back?

[mejon]

I'm 32 weeks and baby is breech at the moment. Try as I do to sleep on my side, I can be guaranteed to wake up during the night lying on my back which I know won't be helping the breech situation. I'm not getting breathless or anything and don't feel any undue pressure anywhere but don't know how I can stop myself unconsciously from ending up on my back. I've got a pillow in front and another stuffed against my back but even then, when I woke last night I was more or less on my back but at a slight angle. Do I just go with the flow or can I try something else (sleep standing up maybe )?

I haven't got any suggestions bar more pillows!

I have found the pillow between the knees keeps me on my side a bit more comfortably though.

Anyway, soon you won't be sleeping at all, and you can join the 3am mumsnetting pregnant people!

Pillow between the knees is good - also, I got one of those special pregnancy pillows and it's great! Before that, I was getting really bockety hips sleeping on my side and waking up loads.

Thanks Nagoo! Was up hourly last night regardless for trips to the loo - what's all that about? I only have a tiny cup of coffee at around 7.15 and nothing afterwards so how come I can do a full wee each time.

May try a firmer pillow tonight as I was using a fairly soft synthetic one last night.

I am 23 weeks and am finding it hard to sleep on side. I woke up the other night on my back with the feeling I was going to pass out and had to breathe very deeply to feel normal again. Will try the pillows.

Didn't manage it last time and am not managing it this time. I "think" it just mewans don't lie flat on your back? I sleep on my back propped up on 3 pillows due to heartburn.

Quite frankly I think we have enough dictats to live by without adding another one, particularly one that stops you from sleeping!

I always wake up on my back. I agree with girlafraid, we are given enough rules, without adding one which may prevent us getting much needed rest.

I can't sleep on my back anyway when not pregnant. I don't know if its a side effect of being over weight to start with but it makes me dizzy anyway,but I struggle to get comfy on my side as I normally sleep on my front. I wake up half on my front and panicking I am squashing little one :(

mejon, try rocking back and forth when you have a wee, it helps you empty your bladder a bit more.

I also have this problem, i always wake on my back im 29 weeks and always start off on side with pillows between legs and behind me and then wake up in the night really comfy on my back and have to drag myself back on my side.

I dont feel breathless at all either the only reasson i move is because your not supposed to sleep on your back. This is my 3rd baby and never had this prob.

I've never slept on my back, always been a side sleeper so found it quite easy. Second the pillow between the knees for comfort idea.

tlise, I keep waking up on my tummy too. I'm 25+6 and it doesn't feel uncomfortable yet, so I have decided not to worry until it does.

I have been having exactly the same problem! No matter how hard I try I cant stay on my side and every time I wake up im on my back! Dont worry though, I mentioned it to my midwife and she said not to get stressed over it; just tht each time I woke up to try to go back on my side. She said it wasnt so much to do with baby as that it could make me feel breathless and/or nauseous as the weight of baby rests on an artery and can restrict blood flow slightly. Which is prob wht I wake up every 2/3 hours and have to reposition!! Bodys self help function maybe??!!

I know that a tip for snorers is to tape a pingpong ball to the back of the pyjamas or a tee shirt, so that they can't roll onto their back and be comfy. Seems rather extreme but it might work?

It is OK to be on your back if you are at an angle, think it was a minimum of 15 degrees... which I guess is like being propped up on a pillow or two.

I try to alternate between sleeping on my back, left, then right sides. I also have pillows under my head which is better for me when on my back. Then my Theraline pillow is folded under my knees to prop me up further. Don't know if my Pilates instructor would approve (!), but so far it's working for me being propped up at the top and bottom! :)

Thanks for the tips everyone. Firmer pillow helped so will continue to try to sleep cocooned in a pillow and duvet sandwich.