Lying on back - 10wks

[GemmaLL]

Hi, I am 10 weeks pregnant today and just wanted others opinion on sleeping postion at this early stage.
I read that it's best to lie on my left side which I have been trying to do but do sometimes feel more comfortable on my back - is this bad for the baby or is that only in the later stages of pregnancy?
I have googled it but got contradicting answers.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
Gemma

They say in third trimester to sleep on side... don't think this will affect you at 10wks...

Got this from google:

"by the third trimester, sleeping on your back more than doubles your risk of stillbirth (though the risk is still low). After about 16 weeks of pregnancy, when you lie on your back, your baby presses on the vein that returns blood from your lower body to your heart."

I should add - I'm in 3rd trimester now and often wake up on my back in a panic but they say this is okay as long as when you wake up you return to sleep on your side and you are going to sleep on your side.

Ok that makes me feel better, thanks.

I've spoken with my midwife about this, as I always wake up on my back and I'm in the third trimester. She told me to sleep however I am comfy, they only suggest you don't sleep on your back in later stages because the baby can restrict blood flow and cause you to feel faint. Nothing to do with harming the baby, only yourself.

Lie however you're comfortable and enjoy it. You really only need to try to lie more on your sides in 3rd tri. Definitely don't start now, your hips and shoulders will be so uncomfortable by the time you are heavily pregnant! Make the most of it now and don't overthink it. I'm 34 weeks and even now I still lie on my back for short periods of time at night 10-30 minutes just to give my body a break. But at 10 weeks, there's no reason to even be thinking about it yet.

Recent research by Tommy's shows a small increased risk of stillbirth if pregnant women in the third trimester fall asleep on their back. You can Google it, it was all over the news recently.

Thanks all

You're fine up to 26 weeks on your back :) Although never hurts to get into training now ;)

I am 22 weeks and tbh it is uncomfortable lying on my back anyway now

The problem with sleeping on your back is that the uterus and baby put pressure on your vena cava which restricts your blood supply. This can cause problems for yourself and also restricts oxygen supply to the baby hence the risk of stillbirth.

At 10 weeks the uterus and baby won't be putting any pressure on the vena cava, but has everything grows it is something to consider.