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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

When to stop sleeping on front

20 replies

JOMH1982 · 02/11/2016 14:09

Hi ladies,

Sorry if this is an odd question, but I'm definitely a girl who likes to sleep on her front, andwondering when I need to start sleeping on my side? I'm nearly 12 eels now so I'm sure it's soon, which I'm dreading as I fine it difficult to sleep any other way! I did manage with my daughter 4.5 years ago though.

Thanks
J x

OP posts:
RuskBaby · 02/11/2016 14:12

I slept on my front until physically unable to anymore - only had advice not to sleep on my back so went with it.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 02/11/2016 14:13

I used to make a Bump Fort, like a doughnut with pillows so my bump went into the middle, and slept like that on my front occasionally till I was pretty far along.

PotteringAlong · 02/11/2016 14:13

When you physically can't do so!

WaitroseCoffeeCostaCup · 02/11/2016 14:14

I've been wondering this too! 16 weeks and still sleeping on my front!

Kittenrush · 02/11/2016 14:26

Sorry, 12 eels really made me laugh, I'm such a child. I stopped when I got my bump around 17 weeks I think? I also build a pillow fort around myself for comfort. Have found that back support pillow is the most important for me and I'm definitely a tummy sleeper too. Hope that's in some way helpful. Congrats to you and your eels. (Sorry again)

mowglik · 02/11/2016 15:01

I'm almost 20 weeks and I still sleep on my front. I kind of put my leg out in front of me though so I'm not fully on my tummy. My bump is getting pretty big as well Confused

sycamore54321 · 02/11/2016 15:12

As far as I know, the only medical advice is to avoid prolonged lying on your back as this can restrict blood vessels due to the weight of your uterus pressing on them. Sleeping on your front is medically fine, just becomes a question of comfort for you as you get bigger. So stay as long as you can tolerate or make adaptations with pillows and cushions as needed.

There is also a medical preference for left side over right side sleeping if laying on your side, but this is not as strong as the laying on your back advice.

Original poster
JOMH1982 · 02/11/2016 15:25

Thanks ladies! My "eels" thank you (I should check my autocorrect next time) :) xx

OP posts:
BabyBumpHopeful · 03/11/2016 02:21

Out of interest (not that you asked about back sleeping but for anyone else reading) here's a link about back sleeping: www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-sleep-on-my-back-during-pregnancy_1245287.bc

It may have been unintentional but statements like those from sycamore don't explain with enough detail why sleeping on your back should be avoided and it could make other women freak out.

  • It DOES NOT mean your baby is at risk
  • It DOES NOT mean that if you wake your your back that you should freak out

It DOES mean that you should try to avoid it, but as I have sciatica, I can't sleep on my sides for long (it triggers it), and I obviously can't sleep on my belly (34 1/2 weeks), so sometimes I have to sleep on my back, though I try to sleep slightly tilted to one side when I can. Bubs is doing totally fine :)

Laura05 · 03/11/2016 09:57

I'm almost 22weeks and I still sleep on my front. I also sleep on my back and did throughout my other two pregnancies. To be honest I lie however I can to get sleep Grin I'm just starting to get a bump but with working and two dc to run about after sleep is a must lol

Trifleorbust · 03/11/2016 10:30

I'm usually a back sleeper but found that with a long pillow I could reasonably easily manage sleeping on my side, which I haven't done for years! I found it to be a matter of getting used to it.

Bunnyc · 03/11/2016 11:14

I always thought it was bad for the baby if you laid on your front?? Doesn't it squash it?

ChocChocPorridge · 03/11/2016 11:37

The baby is safe in a sac of water - you can't squish it.

I slept on my front until I couldn't. Sleeping on my back was horribly uncomfortable from about half way (weight of baby pushing on everything), and I alternated sides between getting up for the loo because whichever hip was on the bottom would ache like hell.....

I do not miss pregnancy.

sycamore54321 · 03/11/2016 13:05

Sorry BabyBump but your article and what I have said are saying the same thing - "When you lie on your back, the weight of your uterus presses on the major vein that returns blood from your lower body to your heart. Lying on your back for an extended period of time could make you feel dizzy. It could also interfere with the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta and your developing baby." By any reading, interfering with the flow of blood to the placenta is a risk. Research has indeed indicate a link to intrauterine death. I am not saying this to freak anyone out, I don't believe that everyone should be afraid to ever do anything because of theoretical risks to the baby (see a post yesterday I joined in with on hair dye) but back sleeping is indeed a risk. That risk needs to be balanced with things like the mother's needs to deal with nerve or back pain and to get adequate sleep and a hundred other individual circumstances. I often wake up on my back and don't freak myself out but try to avoid it if I can for these reasons.

This is also not in any way to suggest that if someone's baby does suffer harm that it is the fault of the mother, which is a horrible horrible interpretation of this or any other advice. However the alternative is to avoid publicising any advice at all and let people take their chances without access to the full information, which is not the best option.

Bellabelloo · 05/11/2016 23:17

I am 28 weeks and still sleep on my front. My hospital say I can until it's uncomfortable.

Melmam · 06/11/2016 00:15

I also second the dizziness if I wake up and I'm on my back I always have a very bad headache and end up vomiting I always try sleep on side as it does have alot of risks that just aren't worth taking although saying that you cannot help it if you fall asleep on your side and wake on back I also don't freak out I just turn back on my side.

NameChange30 · 06/11/2016 22:12

I usually sleep on my front and have been avoiding it because I thought I should... However I just can't get comfortable at night and mentioned it to my grandma who said she slept on her front using pillows around her bump and was fine! Which led me to this thread.

Sometimes I wake up to find myself on my back and it always hurts so I guess it's my body's way of telling me I need to change position.

I've been forcing myself to sleep on my side but even with a pregnancy pillow it's not comfortable. I get painful pins and needles in whichever side I'm lying on! And it's always difficult and painful to change position to the other side.

Only 24 weeks so it's going to be a bloody long 4 months if I can't get comfortable in bed.

Going to try front sleeping tonight and I'll report back!

NameChange30 · 06/11/2016 22:13

Also going mattress shopping with DH tomorrow - our shit mattress never bothered me before but I think it's time for a new one!!

NameChange30 · 07/11/2016 09:32

Sorry to spam thread but had a MUCH better night's sleep mostly on my front. Aahhhh Smile

Blueberry87 · 09/11/2016 14:23

I am 35 weeks and sleep however i can wether that is on my side front or back, if baby is uncomfortable he soon lets me know! :)

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