Sleep problems at 17 weeks - any tips

[Christmastree43]

Hello,

I'm 17 weeks and since about 12 weeks have been struggling with sleep. Obviously you're not supposed to sleep on your back and with good reason. I usually spend a lot of time sleeping on my front and have done this a little while pregnant maybe a third of the time.

Before I go much further I know this is a minor problem in pregnancy and I don't want to overegg how much of a problem it is, just wanted to learn from you ladies' wisdom if possible.

So the problem is around 4am every morning I wake up needing a wee and can't get back to sleep as both of my arms go dead due to sleeping on them most of the night! I turn on one side, that arm goes dead, turn on the other side that arm goes dead etc 🤣 then they're like that til I wake up really around 6.30. I'm also anxious about accidentally lying on my back which keeps me awake.

I'm aware I have a long way left to go and am not likely to be able to sleep on my tummy at all going forward.

So does anyone have any tips for sleeping/ getting comfortable?

My mum has been most unsympathetic and said pregnancy is about putting up and shutting up, you have 9 months of not drinking, no caffeine etc so get used to it 🤣 thanks mum

I have a 12 foot pregnancy pillow and when I get sick of sleeping on my side I sleep on my back with one side on the pillow, so I am probably at a 20 degree angle off the bed. As long as you are not flat on your back this is okay as you are not constricting the vein. I generally sleep most of the night on my side then when I wake up to pee (between 4 and 6) I do this and it really helps me get back to sleep

I’m 18 weeks and have been really uncomfy too. I’ve engineered my own solution: I lay on my left side and have a pillow between my thighs/knees, plus one jammed between my back and DH, then my head on a folded over pillow. If I tip onto my back in the night the back pillow supports me so I don’t go properly flat. Up to about a week ago I was alternating sides but now even lying on the right has me waking up feeling dizzy. I wasn’t like this in my last pregnancy so not too happy but I basically sleep in one position all night. My other secret is to be so knackered I am out like a light.

I do also struggle with getting back to sleep after the 4am wake up.... I’ve found I have to resist looking at my phone as that just keeps me up, and have to read lying in the above position til I fall asleep. Sorry I’m not much help.

I would 100% say enjoy sleeping on your tummy for as long as it is comfortable!! By the time I had DD1 is was the number 1 thing I was looking forward to post pregnancy.

Another vote for the 12 foot maternity pillow. I love mine! I’m 17 weeks now and got it 3 weeks ago, it’s made me a lot more comfy at night. (Mine is from asda).

The other thing I do when I wake up is listen to an audiobook or podcast etc that I’ve heard before. This stops my brain getting anxious and keeping me awake but isn’t so interesting that it stops me sleeping. I’ve found going back to sleep after waking up much easier since I started doing this.

you don't need to worry about side sleeping until the third trimester according to Tommy's and the NHS so just sleep however is comfortable for now