Is it ok to be straining tummy muscles to sit up?

[WhyNotSmile]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, and sitting up (from lying down) is getting harder and harder. Our bed is against the wall, and I sleep on the inside, so when I wake up at night needing the bathroom I have to roll onto my back and then pull myself up straight. It's starting to get really hard to do. But if I'm on my side, it's hard because my hands and wrists are sore at the moment. Is it ok to pull myself up like this? Is it bad for the baby if I'm straining my muscles to do it? Some nights I go into the spare room so I can sleep on my own and just roll out of bed when need to!

Not sure I have an answer for you but I have weak wrists and have been extra careful getting up. I've been using my whole forearm and keeping my hand flat to prevent strain on my wrist. Or putting my hand in a fist but not bending my wrist. I've then been putting my weight on my forearm and using my elbow to push up. If any of that makes sense then I hope it helps!

I don't think its recommended as it can cause separation of your stomach muscles. I'd say if you have a spare bed available then make full use of it!

My midwife told me to roll on my side and get up that way but I often don't!

You can strain, stretch and (in rare cases if done a lot) tear your tummy muscles in late pregnancy. So if it hurts, go easy and use the rolling method!
I roll onto my side, use my elbow then swing my legs off the side of the bed, then 'unroll' from my scrunched up position. Not very elegant but easy enough.
I do a lot of had and wrist exercises too, but obviously check they are OK for you to do- I have nothing wrong with mine, but was advised to build them up a little as it's useful when you're limited in core strength.

Swap sides so you're not next to the wall?

Panda is right, swap over!!

I see a potential problem with swapping over -does your OH go to bed after you or get up before you! Don't want them climbing over you or waking you up when you're in the middle of great dream. Think one or other of you moving into spare room might be the best solution if you can't move the bed out from by the wall.

It's not bad for the baby but I did spilt my stomach muscles sitting up like this too much (according to physio)

Split stomach muscles aren't painful, you can't tell until you feel. However, 2 years down the line mine are still a bit split so I have to be careful dining too many crunches etc at the gym.

Husband is not keen on swapping sides (he's a creature of habit!), although I'm trying to explain that we'll have to once the baby is born, so that I can get out for feeds etc. I'll try sleeping in the spare room a bit more (at least until about 2am, which is usually the final bathroom trip of the night), and will be a bit more careful about sitting up straight. I've looked up a few exercises I can do that might ease the pain in my hands and arms, and make it easier to get up sideways!

Thanks for the advice!

Yes you need to roll onto your side and push up with your elbows to sit up. You will damage and tear your tummy muscles otherwise.

Well, was all for trying the "elbows" method last night, but Baby had other ideas... Waters broke at midnight, and baby boy arrived at 2.25pm today!

Time for the other half to swap sides then!!!

Congratulations xx

Definetly swap.

I roll onto my side, stick my legs out and down and they sort of cantalever me up to sitting.

DH is going to have to get used to new habits.

Oh yaaaay!!!! skipped that last post by accident!

Oh wow. Congratulations op.

Congrats!

Guess your MR will have to swap sides now though unless he wants to be climbed over for night feeds!