I hate sleeping on my side. Do I really have to?

[thecatwiththesilveryfur]

I'm 13 weeks pregnant and so far have continued sleeping on my back as usual. When are you supposed to start sleeping on your side, and how important is it for the baby's health?

(And, if the answer is "very important", can anyone give advice on how to make it more comfortable?!)

Thanks!

It's for the third trimester. You'll probably find that when you get there, it won't be that comfy lying on your back anyway because of the extra weight you're carrying.

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/pregnancy-calendar/third-trimester-weeks-29-40/sleep-position-pregnancy-qa

This has some info and tips, etc.

This NHS article is interesting:

www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/pregnant-women-should-avoid-sleeping-back-last-trimester/

Tommy's suggest sleeping on your side once you reach 28 weeks:

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/pregnancy-calendar/third-trimester-weeks-29-40/sleep-position-pregnancy-qa

For now, you're fine sleeping however you are comfortable. As baby gets bigger, you'll probably find it less comfortable on your back as you have this huge weight on your front. It may also make you quite lightheaded to be laid down on your back.

You may find it easier to sleep on your side if you use pillows for support. This can be a specialist pregnancy pillow, or perhaps just normal pillows behind your back and under your bump/between your legs once you get bigger.

Hope this helps :)

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/sleep-side-pregnancy-campaign

some information above on it so I would try to sleep on my left side and just move if I woke up another way. Come your third trimester you might find it uncomfortable to sleep any way, but particularly on your back given weight of weight. I had a couple of pillows and this was my preferred one, still pretty uncomfortable though but helped keep me on my side and eased pressure a bit

www.amazon.co.uk/DreamGenii-Maternity-Support-Pillow-White/dp/B000UTPIW6?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Don't worry about it until later in the pregnancy. By the end you literally can't turn very easily in bed anyway, lying on your back even for a moment makes you feel like you're being crushed!

Pregnancy pillows are good, I used a bolster between my knees. The idea is to keep your top leg roughly level with your hip, puts less strain on your back.

Yep, just like everyone else says - when it's actually dangerous you'll know, because it'll be so bloody uncomfortable with the weight of the baby.

Oh we’ve all types at same type and happily corroborated each other 👍🏻

*typed at same time

It is meant to be pretty important but mostly in the 3rd trimester. I really struggle with the pain in my hips...but by the time I was in the 3rd tri (I am currently 38 weeks) there's no way I could sleep on my back anyway. The weight if my belly is really uncomfortable and I struggle to breathe even for short periods. I have pillows all down both sides which have helped

You'll probably find your sleeping position will change naturally OP. I couldn't sleep on my back in the third trimester any more than I could on my front.

It's all finding a just comfortable sleeping spot and then needing to pee.

Thanks everyone - very useful advice! Sounds as if there are even greater delights than the first trimester to come ...!

My yoga teacher who is also midwife says 28 weeks, though my maternity pack fro hospital says 24 weeks. I'm 22 +5 and have been trying to practice sleeping in side for last month as I also find it really uncomfortable - wake up with pain in hips, no idea what to do with my left arm (it feels squashed) & not used to sleeping facing into husband's face / back of head. A relative has a history of stillborn & i'm quite an anxious person in general so I'd rather not take the risk but I'm definitely finding myself getting a few hours on my back each night & having to constantly 'rearrange' all my pillows etc. And we only have a regular double bed which feels like not enough space with all the cushions.!! I've been trying to resist buying special cushions etc but the JoJo Maman Bebe 'snail' one looks good for £40 so I may request as Xmas pressie for my last 2 months' pregnancy. Definitely sympathise with you!