How can I stop sleeping on my back?!

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I’m now 21 weeks and I know you’re not supposed to sleep on your back in second trimester.
Problem is this is my natural sleep position so even when I go to sleep on my side, I wake up on my back.
I tried wedging a pillow under me, I seem to just push it aside when I’m asleep!
Currently sleeping a bit propped up like I’ve got a cold as I figured that way at least I’m not flat on my back if I do roll over but obviously I slip down in the night still.

Does anyone have any tips? I don’t know how people manage it!

I’m struggling with this too
I find lying on my back to be the most comfortable and trying to sleep on my side is agony

https://www.mothercare.com/feeding-pillows/dreamgenii-pregnancy-support-and-feeding-pillow-cover---nature-cotton-grey-green/251433.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmmmc=GoogleeFeedingng--MC-UK-G-Shopping-Feeding-Catch+All//---+-+&utmsource=Google&utmmmedium=CPC&gclid=CjwKCAjwkqPrBRA3EiwAKdtwk022yIIG-sL7qEFm4JF8uytTrfM3xfN-J5Z4-5bDMSB39pJZiJ0ARoC8cEQAvDDBwE

I realise this link is just the cover, but this pillow makes it so much easier!! I couldn't do it until I got this

I’m really uncomfortable on my side too :( @Comps83 my hips have already started playing up and I have sciatica on and off anyway from running (not that I’ve been doing much running!)

Thanks @ELM8 I will take a look

This is new advice because there is research to show that women who sleep on backs are twice as likely to have a still birth. I read the research my last pregnancy but at the time the midwife said she had no idea about it and said sleeping on back was fine!
I had a preggo pillow which did help me to be on my side more, but I still used to regularly wake on my back, panic and then wait anxiously for movements.

I did read that it's because you can put pressure on vein which stops blood supply for baby (or something similar) I also read that this is uncomfortable for the mother and therefore you usually wake up well before your baby is in danger.

It's worrying, but please try not to worry if you wake on your back. It is out of our control and the risk of stillbirth is still extremely low

A friend of mine was advised to tie a tennis ball to her back. Seriously!

You will naturally OP. With my last pregnancy I had to have many scans and later on they were intolerable being on my back.
Get a pillow ready to stick between your knees to keep your hips level and wait until your body makes you use it. Stop worrying.

did read that it's because you can put pressure on vein which stops blood supply for baby (or something similar

And when the pressure is put on that vein you know about it almost immediately. You won't ignore it accidentally.

I don't have much advice but whatever I did I woke up on my back during both of my pregnancies. I would try one of those pillows that goes behind your back as well as your front

@gamerchick I did write something similar underneath.

I have one of those huge pregnancy pillows, they help a lot. I hate sleeping on my side and still find that I've half-rolled onto my back during the night but at least the pillow stops me from lying completely flat.

My midwife said that if you wake on your back you probably won't have been there long. Apparently we spend the most time in the position we nod off in and tend to wake when uncomfy.

I've had a pillow between my knees and one behind my back to help (I have never slept on my back but seem to be rolling backwards a lot since bump turned up), but am now looking into a proper pregnancy pillow.

The blood supply issue is to you, not the baby (although a very small risk) as it can lower your BP which can make you dizzy when you get up out of bed

Yes you're right @Heartofglass12345 I had a vague recollection of reading about it during last pregnancy, so sorry it wasn't accurate. Apparently it affects the circulation of blood and means less oxygen and nutrients get to baby. 👍

I’m a back sleeper too. Pregnancy was hell! The best I could do was to sleep partially upright propped on pillows. I slept on my left as much as I could stand then propped myself up as a last resort. The stretch marks on the left are noticeably worse 😩

Yeah I just read my post back and it didn't make sense lol I meant a small risk to the baby too lol. I only just made it to the 3rd trimester with both of mine, naughty boys decided to show up early

I was so paranoid about this and had nightmares about it. However as others have said when you get bigger (and it's more risky) you just can't anymore and will know immediately.

Pregnancy pillow between the legs and under bump, and another pillow behind you to discourage you from rolling backwards. Those helped me (but took up loads of space in our bed!!)

I'm a stomach sleeper which is entirely impossible even if i wanted too. I find being on my back now really uncomfortable though even if did want to sleep that way.

I got adreamgenii pillow and that did help some. I hate sleeping on my side too. It's very uncomfortable and even with pillow i find it getting harder to be comfortable. But the pillow does definitely help. There are many variations so i recommend getting yourself one.

Thank you everyone I’ve been really worrying about it!
We have reclining sofas as well and I tend to be on my back when watching films etc and suddenly thought oh crap should I be doing this? But I’m not completely flat so hopefully it’s fine.
Going to order the dream genii pillow and hope it helps.
I have an anterior placenta so not really feeling movements yet so don’t have that for reassurance

This is covered in the book Expecting Better. There was a very small study that showed there was an increased risk of still birth, but previous much larger studies that showed no significant difference. Basically more data is needed. Everyone should weigh up the risks to their own personal circumstances.

I got a full body u shape pillow to stop me rolling back. I sleep at an angle on it sometimes with the pillow wedged in my back. The first few nights were awful. I started to find it really hot and uncomfortable but preserver as now it’s fantastic taking the weight of my bump!