Hip Pain from Side Sleeping

[FirstTimeBumps]

Wondering if anyone has had this problem and could offer a resolve. Currently 18 weeks but huge (nurse asked me if I was sure I wasn't smuggling two in there ) and checked with midwife yesterday about side/back sleeping. She said it's best to stay on left hand side henceforth, which shouldn't be a problem, I normally sleep on my side, however it's causing me now to wake up through the night with sciatica like achy pain. I use a pillow between my knees, had done even before pregnant for comfort, and I've read to try a pillow behind your back so you can theoretically shift your weight backwards without lying on your back, have used partner for that but I'm still in pain. I've just had a look at a pregnancy pillow on Amazon but it doesn't look like it would do much more than I've already tried. Any suggestions? I love my sleep

Thanks in advance

You might have some pelvic girdle pain. Ask for a referral to physio :)

I've been getting this recently and when i mentioned it to my friend she said it sounded like pelvic girdle pain and when she told her midwife about it she was given a band to wear all the time. She said she was a lot bigger than I am though (I'm 22 weeks) so i assume it gets worse as you get bigger. I've found that if I shift my weight more forward whilst on my side it doesn't hurt as much.

I’ve had this throughout the pregnancy (now 35+5). I’ve never slept on my back so thought I’d be fine but got really achy hip on my right side. I tried one of the fancy dream genii pillows with a flap to stop you rolling over but found it wasn’t thick enough for me. It now lives on the floor at the side of my bed!

I ended up buying a cushion from ikea for £3.50 that I tuck under my bump and it allows me to sleep slightly rolled forward. I love it so much I bought another one for the sofa! I cannot stress how necessary cushions are to get comfortable as you get bigger!

I now alternate between left and right side through the night which takes a bit of pressure off the one hip. I also massage my hip and side before I get out of bed which seems to help a bit.

It’s all connected to pelvic girdle pain I’ve been having but not a lot I can do about it! I bought a bump support band from mothercare for £9 which is pretty good if you start getting pulling pain when you’re walking.

Link to the ikea cushion if you’re interested: www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/textiles-rugs/cushions-inner-cushions/vendla-cushion-pink-white-art-80389563/

@Bibijayne it seems okay except when I'm in bed.

@DoAsDreamersDo sleeping forwards or backwards doesn't seem to help but I'm not sure if that's coz I'm shifting my weight when the problems already arisen.

I next see my midwife at my scan in just under two weeks so I'll see how I get on between now and then and give her a shout before if I need to thanks for your replies x

I had that a week or so ago when I was on holiday... I found that the very firm hotel mattresses made it much worse. It's not too bad now I'm home and in my own (softer) bed. What's your mattress like? Would it be worth trying to sleep on top of a duvet (with a sheet over it) for a more cushioned bed? I second the cushion under the bump idea.

@Flamingo84 is right side okay too. I was told left preferably. Waking up in the middle of the night and just wanting to roll onto my other side. If I can at least so that then I'll be happy for the time being

@surreygirl1987 slept on top of the duvet last night more for heat than anything but think I'm going to try sleeping on pillows.

Yeh - I currently have 6 pillows to myself. Poor OH.

I have been told left side is best but right side is okay if needed - just avoid you back. I tend to start on my left, then when I feel pain / wake up, go onto my right, and then return to my left at first chance (ie next time I wake up or when my left side feels better... Or when my right side starts hurting too!).
Oh what fun and games sleeping has become

I had this during my first pregnancy - I got a wedge pillow for my bump and a pregnancy pillow (like a big boomerang) to put one leg on & it went. Then I used the same combination during my second and never had any problems.

Like these:

www.boots.com/widgey-wedge-maternity-pillow-silver-star-10239784?cm_mmc=bmm--Google+Boots+PLAs--BAU--C=%28GB%3AWhoop%21%29+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Baby+-+High+Margin+-+Desktop%28GB%3AWhoop%21%29+Widgey&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr67_mNLQ3AIV6LztCh3iUg91EAQYAiABEgLUFvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

and this article seems useful (I think things have moved on - there are some different pillows including a 12ft one that seems popular!):

www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/kids/baby-tech-essentials/best-pregnancy-pillows-for-back-pain-front-sleepers-reviews-a7095866.html

The big one was also really handy for bf afterwards so well worth it! Good luck.