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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

When is it not good to lie flat on ur back in bed...

17 replies

Boogles91 · 08/03/2014 22:32

Just wondering as my mum said she always layed flat if it was the only position to get comfy in. Until she was really big that is, i worry incase im harming the baby or something but i seem to roll onto my back in my sleep anyway! Is it really harmful or just not recomended? Cus i dont want to harm our lil man in there :(

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TheFantasticFixit · 08/03/2014 22:38

I think it's not so much about harming the baby that they advise that you don't lie on your back, but rather that the pressure and weight of the baby inside you can affect nerves in your body, and make you feel very dizzy. I'm sure someone else will know more!

For what it's worth, I lay on my back (actually, literally ) pretty much throughout my first pregnancy, but with this baby (I'm 39 wks on Monday) I find it makes me nauseous and lightheaded almost immediately.

Casmama · 08/03/2014 22:39

Lie on your back unless it's uncomfortable - you are probably waking up because you need to turn over. Don't worry, your body will let you know.

Highlystrungmum · 08/03/2014 22:42

It doesn't harm the baby it's more you there worried about. Think it puts pressure on your lungs etc

GarthsUncle · 08/03/2014 22:44

After month 4 it can put pressure in some of your large veins. As you near the end of the pregnancy, it can make it more likely the baby will turn back to back.

If you can fall asleep on your right hand side, that's gread, even if you wake up on your back.

ClearlyMoo · 08/03/2014 22:51

I long to sleep on my back (31 weeks). Since around 18/20 weeks I haven't been able to as if I accidentally fall asleep on my back I wake up dreaming I'm suffocating and then as I come to realise I can't breathe and need to roll over. Basically your body should stop it happening.

SweetPea86 · 08/03/2014 23:43

I find I snore when I'm on my back whilst being preg so I try not to :)

Original poster

Boogles91 · 09/03/2014 00:59

Thanks for the advice :) i dont get any dizziness or anything when i lay on my back lol i tend to sleep in the positions i fall asleep in and wake up stiff in the night as i need to change lol i just cant seem to get comfy on my right side but my left i can and i keep gettin trapped nerves in me arm if i dont wake up in the night as i dont move in me sleep much lol x

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Original poster

Boogles91 · 09/03/2014 01:02

And i always snore! Wichever position im in hahar....hubby wakes me up to tell me the. I have to lay there listening to him -.- x

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inmybelly · 09/03/2014 04:26

I thought the left side was better? I sleep much more comfortably on my right (actually on my tummy is best but boobs are preventing that!). So is right side best then? That would be great if so.

Charingcrossbun · 09/03/2014 07:16

I asked the same question around 24weeks as I kept finding myself on my back in the mornings and was really worried. It took until 32 weeks though when sudden was a problem for bump and I woke up straight away feeling like I'd drunk a bottle of tequila and the room was spinning!!
My point is if it is bad for baby your body will tell you!
I now wedge myself in will pillows - DP refers to it as my little fort!

ToriaPumpkin · 09/03/2014 11:06

I had physio the other day with the obstetric specialist and she said it's ok to lie on your back as long as you're slightly propped up to keep the pressure off your lungs/major veins/spine and pelvis as with baby getting big and heavy they can cause aches and pains/breathlessness/dizziness etc.

I did prove the point beautifully when I fainted during my growth scan two weeks ago from lying on my back for too long! I also have a nest in bed now

sambababy · 09/03/2014 13:45

I was told left side is best, even just for part of the night or a daytime rest.

Original poster

Boogles91 · 09/03/2014 20:32

Hehehe its cute when they find names for the things we do :) i sleeping mainly on settee at mo, sometimes in bed. As its just too uncomfy for me and settee is kinda sloped back so this helps with bump resting :) my hubby calls it my nightly rituals as it takes me ayges to get comfy :p xx

OP posts:

sparkles70 · 10/03/2014 14:15

Hi. I think that it's best to lie on your left hand side. I read on the Dreamgenii website that its because you have better blood flow if you lie on your left hand side. (I used to sleep on my tummy but can't do that any more!) www.dreamgenii.com/?section=benefits

magichandles · 10/03/2014 14:45

Toriapumpki I fainted during a scan in my last pregnancy as well - it was really horrible.

ToriaPumpkin · 10/03/2014 14:57

Awful isn't it magic? I'm a fainter anyway but it's generally when I get too warm or overdo it. It was a novelty to faint from lying down! My physiotherapist remembered me from my last pregnancy as I fainted in all her classes, I had my own bed set up eventually!

MyNameIsWinkly · 10/03/2014 16:53

I kept waking up on my back too, I bought a Dreamgenii pillow which is the best thing ever - kind of forces me onto the left side, supports my belly and goes between my knees without faffing with twenty different pillows. Bit expensive but worth it in terms of sleep quality and comfort.

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