So this lying on your back thing..

[Chirpygirl]

Is it really bad or just not recommended as this time round it is the only position I seem to be able to sleep in! I keep waking up flat on my back and then start to think should I/shouldn't I stay like this?
I didn't have all this with DD as the only position I wanted to be in with her was on my stomach so I had to lay on about 4 pillows to get comfy....

That's if I get to sleep at all, but never mind...
(I'm 34 weeks BTW)

[Spagblog]

I think sleep is more important than worrying about which side you should lie on.
I slept on my back with both pgs but it was a waterbed and so, very very comfortable.

[RuthChan]

I agree. I don't think what position you're in is important specifically as long as it's comfy and you can get some rest.
If you could lie on your stomach last time, I'm sure you won't do any harm on your back.

[Chirpygirl]

That's what I thought but some friends were horrified when I told them I slept on my back!

I'd much rather be asleep than awake

[ejt1764]

You're supposed to sleep on your side as the weight from the baby presses on 1 of the major arteries, and can make you breathless ... it also (sleeping on your side) encourages a good position on the baby.

However, if you are waking up because you're sleeping on your back, it may be that your body is waking you because it's realised that the baby is pressing on you ...

I have to sleep on my side (at 34 weeks) - and have had to since about 20 weeks as I have horrible spd, and the only way I can get comfortable enough to go to sleep is on my side ... doesn't stop me waking up on my back though!

[meandmy]

think they only say not to sleep on your back if it hurts etc cause baby lies on all your organs making them do triple time

[Chirpygirl]

Ooh, don't mention getting baby in a good position, DD was breecha nd I am trying everything to make sure this one comes out the right way up! Now I am going to worry!

[ejt1764]

chirpy - I don't think it's got anything to do with breech positions - it's more to do with getting them to the loa position (I think ...)

fwiw even though I've had to sleep on my side since 20 weeks because of spd, my babe is still breech ....

If you're comfortable sleeping on your back, then carry on!

[Chirpygirl]

That does put my mind at rest about that, I find I slouch far too much during the day until DH comes in and says 'fancying another CS then?' which makes me sit properly! couldn't cope with that at night as well!

[Elk]

I tried really hard during both my pregnancies to sleep on my side and every morning I would wake up flat on my back. Both times the baby was in the correct position for birth.

What annoys me is that pre prenancy I always slept on my front but I can't do that any more as I get horrendous back ache if I do.

[Chirpygirl]

You must be due near me ejt, what's your date? I'm 6th October...
I hate sleeping on my side, espeically with this heat as I end up lying in a pool of sweat (nice) or with pins and needles. And if I try and put pillows round me DH moves them when he is asleep so I wake up on my back again!

[fettleandminifettle]

Hi

I was advised against sleeping on my back as the baby's weight stops blood flow through your aorta - your major blood vessel in the body. Thereby, decreasing oxygen in your body and subsequently baby as well. Unfortunately for me, I also have SPD and sleeping on my back is the only really comfortable position I have (until I get so breathless I have to roll to my side!). I was advised to lie propped up, so I wasn't completely flat on my back, which does seem to make a difference.

At the end of the day, if you are starving your body of too much oxygen, your body will wake up to move! Sleep is what you need!

Lying on your left side is the best side to sleep on to encourage good baby position, but i'm with you, I'd rather be comfy and asleep - enough time for being awake through the night once the baby is here!!
xxx

[ejt1764]

chirpy and fiofio - I'm due 2nd October ... - and my sleeping position is quite pillow intensive:

2 between my legs so as not to squish the symphysis pubis joint

2 under my head to keep my spine aligned (1 of them is ergonomic)

1 in front of my chest to hug and lean on

I used tohave behind me too, but then there really was no room for dh in bed too.

Everytime I wake up to go to the loo, I turn myself over ... and I still end up on my back in the morning - and feel like a beached whale, as I can't move from this position without help!

[kristee]

hi gals, im new 2 all of this so was wondering what "DH" "SBD" and "DD" stands for? im 26yrs old married with 3 children 2yrs,4yrs and 6yr old im also pregnant with my 4th child im nearlly 16wks and due on the 12th of feb.i look forward 2 speaking 2u all.

[kristee]

my doctor and friends have advised me that sleeping on your left side [pregnant or not] is no good for your heart.i have relised that when i do sleep on my left side i get a bit of pain and feel breathless.anyone here have been told the same thing?

[Chirpygirl]

Hi kristee, if you licn on the acronym list at the top of the page (next to useful stuff) it will tell you what teh abbreviations are but
DH- dear/darling husband
SPD is symphysis pubis disfunction (I think!) and DD is dear/darling daughter

Congrats on your pregnancy! I haven't noticed that about my left side but that is part of what I had in the back of my mind about sleeping positions. I rememebr with DD the midwife told me all this stuff about how to sleep but this time I have hardly seen her so I have forgotten it all!

Had a GREAT night's sleep last night though, I rolled up a winter weight duvet into a big tube and lay on my side with a leg and arm over that. DH was not happy as he got unceremoniously shoved over to the other side of the bed but I don't care

[ejt1764]

chirpy - that sounds like a wonderfully economical alternative to the full-body pillows that cost and arm and a leg!

I have heard of other women naming theirs ...

[Biglips]

i laid on my left side throughout the pg as i was comfy and was fine but toward the end i tried to sleep on my right side without being sick!. (i never had any morning sickness). So whatever side you need to sleep on then do it.

[Thelittlesoldiersmummy]

I had no idea you were not meant to sleep on your back I usually sleep on my front but thought best not now so thought I shoud sleep on my back note to self 'Sleep on side'

[Chirpygirl]

How far gone are you littlesoldiersmummy? I am lucky if I can roll halfway onto my front this time without becoming a human seesaw!

I am really liking the look of those giant body beanbags with a hole in the middle for your belly, but they are really expensive, and I'm sure I'd get stuck in it so maybe I'll stick to my lovely duvet!

[berolina]

I try not to sleep/lie on my back, but it really is the most comfortable position for me (37+3) and has been more or less throughout. Nothing lovelier than sinking onto the sofa on my back when ds lets me for 5 mins (before he starts climbinb on me and I have to find ways of protecting bump). I have spent long periods lying on my back this pg and have not had any of the famed dizziness and breathlessness.