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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Struggling to sleep on the side

21 replies

Aneley · 08/07/2019 15:09

Hi,

I'm 16+3 and for 2-3 weeks now I've been trying to train myself to sleep on the side, especially left side. Normally, I sleep on my stomach or my back so I knew this was not to be easy. The trouble is - I'm in so much back and hip pain I barely get any sleep now. I am dying to go on my back and then I wake up and force myself again to the left. I wonder if I have been using it wrong... does anyone else has similar experience with side-sleeping? Any advice?

OP posts:
PrayingandHoping · 08/07/2019 15:22

Have u got a pregnancy pillow? I was really struggling and found it's helped. Still get hip pain some nights and have to turn over but it's getting easier

Original poster
Aneley · 08/07/2019 15:28

Hi, yes - I've got dreamgenii - but I am not sure anymore if I am using it right as I'm constantly in pain, all night, except for brief minute long moments on my back.

OP posts:
Hayesdays · 08/07/2019 15:32

I'm 20 weeks and I'm also getting serious hip pain from sleeping on my side :( I've added a mattress topper and just purchased a pregnancy pillow so I'm hoping this will help. But following this for any more hints and tips.

PinkSpring · 08/07/2019 15:36

Same here. I am 16 weeks and try to sleep on my left but I am getting awful hip and back pain.

I occasionally switch to my right side and if I wake up on my back, will move to the side but I asked a midwife during my first pregnancy about side sleeping and she basically said it didn't really matter as it's likely you will end up on your back at some point during the night and it cannot be helped.

stephn88 · 08/07/2019 15:50

I struggled at first to sleep on my side and thought it'd be a nightmare for the whole pregnancy...... since my bump arrived it's actually easy to sleep on my side now, it's painful to sleep on my back and is now just second nature. I use my dreamgenii pillow and just make sure I use another pillow along my back just incase as well

Leleophants · 08/07/2019 16:11

Im 23 weeks and still sleep on my back. Midwife said you dont need to worry about this until third trimester so didnt get why I was so worried!

If it's uncomfortable, you probably shouldn't do it. I also got hip pain at that stage as it's also when your hips are expanding like crazy.

LuckyKitty13 · 08/07/2019 16:14

I dont think it really matters until 3rd trimester. If your pregnancy pillow isn't helping, try a thick pillow between knees (or two) and a big one wedged behind your back

EmeraldIsle81 · 08/07/2019 16:15

I slept on my back but with one or two pillows under my feet to prop them up and rest my hips - helped a lot. If I slept on my side I wedged a pillow under my belly and another between my legs to rest my hips. Now much further on and have bought a big C shaped pillow off gumtree- worth a try! Good luck OP xx

pinkmummy1 · 08/07/2019 16:21

When pregnant with my first I was never able to stay on my left. I'd always wake up on my stumic. Soon enough the bump was to big for that. I'm pregnant again and I'm not worrying this time about it. As long as you can sleep enjoy it before you get to big and uncomfortable.

Rotorua · 08/07/2019 16:55

Im 22 weeks and have been trying to sleep only on the side since 12 weeks. Don't think I have gotten used to it at all, and pregnancy pillow is helping only a bit. Still waking up every morning with hip and leg pains.
I have noticed that during those nights when I'm really exhausted, I wake up really sore and in pain. But other nights I usually wake up 2-3 times to pee and then change the sides and it does help a bit

BobTheFishermansWife · 08/07/2019 17:00

I wouldn't worry too much at the moment, just be comfy!
I'm 38 with my 1st atm and it wasn't until my 31 week appointment my midwife said I should try sleeping on my side, preferably my left (her words) she said if I wake up on my back just roll over, I just have a pillow behind my back and a cushion between my legs to help with hip pain. Swapping sides helps too.

BirdIsland · 08/07/2019 17:36

I struggle sleeping on my side too. I've found putting a reasonably bulky pillow behind me means I can rest it so I'm kind of half on my back, half on my side. Much comfier and I don't roll totally on to my back.

PrincessSarene · 08/07/2019 17:41

If you normally sleep on your back or front, then chances are you have quite a flat pillow whereas to sleep on your side the pillow should be a bit bulkier. Basically your spine should all be in alignment from your skull all along your back to your pelvis. It may not get rid of all the hip pain from the pressure of lying on your side if you’re not used to it, but it’s amazing how getting the spine alignment right helps with getting a better night’s sleep and stopping the general aches and pains.

LetThePotatoRest · 08/07/2019 17:49

I’m 32 weeks, I struggled for a while but find it easier now. I have a thick, rolled up pillow between my legs, a thinner one supporting my bump and one behind my back. I’ve found having support either side helps me to slightly lean back or forward to take the strain off my hips.

HeartvsHead · 08/07/2019 18:01

Don't stress about it. Just sleep how you are comfortable. As you get bigger you may find you feel a little dizzy when you get up if you have been on your back a while as the weight of the bump can mean the blood doesn't get to your legs as well. It won't cause any harm to the baby.

I found once my bump was big enough to rest on the bed when I was on my side it was much comfier. With a smaller bump it kind of hangs and makes everything else ache!

Original poster
Aneley · 09/07/2019 14:32

Thank you ladies - I had another bad night last night so now sitting in the office, all headachy and grumpy. I found that if I put a pillow behind my back on the right and lie on the pillow I end up in an almost bearable 'half there, half here' position.

OP posts:
hexagon01 · 09/07/2019 15:03

Really really don’t bother trying to train yourself this early. At this point it doesn’t matter how you sleep, and by the point it does it will be more comfortable to either sleep on your side or heavily propped up. Don’t waste time being uncomfortable unnecessarily when soon you’ll be constantly uncomfortable!!

Dinolady · 09/07/2019 15:33

I struggled massively- pregnancy pillow was a godsend!
But now at 31 weeks i literally sleep with a bunch of pillows behind my back so im at an 80° angle, kind of helps the heartburn and carpal tunnel!
Even with the pregnancy pillow, my hips end up in agony!
I was a stomach sleeper before.

Tmnmpa1 · 12/07/2019 10:25

I'm really struggling to sleep on my side and despite a dream genii I manage to wake up on my back. This makes me feel really guilty...which I understand is irrational.
Trying to sleep on my side makes my back and neck ache :(

Sorry for the moan. Just needed to say it somewhere.

Teddybear45 · 12/07/2019 10:30

Put the long bit of the dreamgenie between your legs. That will automatically put you in a more comfortable position and you should be able to sleep half-on half-off the pregnancy pillow with comfort.

Tmnmpa1 · 12/07/2019 14:13

Thank you. I'll try that tonight. Really keen to get decent sleep while I still can!!!

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