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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Side sleeping

25 replies

FH27 · 17/03/2020 22:01

Hey everyone hoping for some advice on how to sleep on my side.

I'm currently 20 weeks and not too big so it's not a comfort thing, more because it's recommended. I know the advice about side sleeping is more relevant in the last trimester but I was hoping to start now so it's easier by then. I've never been aware of it before but it seems I just naturally sleep on my back and everytime I wake up I'm in this position. I'm wondering if anyone is the same and how did you manage to change your sleeping habits?

TIA x

OP posts:

lottie360 · 17/03/2020 22:07

The advice is to sleep on your left side.

Do not start until you absolutely have to. I am due in a few weeks and my left pelvis hurts so much from always lying on it.

I have been bed hopping from kids beds, to mine, to sofa and the air bed because having the same amount of pressure each night is painful.

I will never take for granted sleeping on my right side and back again.

I occasionally wake up on my back still but i have taken to wedging a pillow behind me to keep me on side.

BadCatDirtyCat · 17/03/2020 22:10

I'm also 20 weeks and have been trying side sleeping and found that I needed more padding underneath (folder up duvet under the sheet) plus lots of pillows (one between legs, knee to ankle, and one by my belly).

Having said that, I saw an obstetrician on Monday and asked about side sleeping and he said sleeping on your back is fine 🤷. He said he didn't recommend sleeping on your left side in later pregnancy due to the position of a particular vein, but right side or back was fine, and for now, anything goes..

BadCatDirtyCat · 17/03/2020 22:11

Sorry I got that wrong - he said left was good, right is bad, as pp says above..

Original poster

FH27 · 17/03/2020 22:11

@lottie360 thanks for your reply, sorry you're so uncomfortable! Is it specifically the left side? I thought either side would be better than being on your back. I will try your tip with the pillow. I was hoping that by starting now I'd be a pro at side sleeping by the time is more important!

OP posts:

sunshinefordays · 17/03/2020 22:18

@FH27 - I struggle with this too! I love sleeping on my back. Apparently it doesn't matter if you wake up in a different position as you will still spend more time in the position you fall asleep in.

I find that cuddling a pillow helps me to feel secure and comfortable in that position (not a special pregnancy one, just a standard pillow), so could be worth a try?!

WhiteDenim · 17/03/2020 22:52

I've been sleeping on my left and right. I try to go to sleep on my left, but inevitably at some point in the night I need to switch. I'm now 39w and I haven't had bad pelvic pain on one side, and I have been sleeping really well my entire pregnancy. For me, being able to have good quality sleep was more important than always sleeping on a particular side... It's what you feel most comfortable doing. The advice is left is best, right is fine, no to back or front.

WhiteDenim · 17/03/2020 22:55

Oh and as for waking up on your back - that's OK, too. Apparently it's the position you fall asleep in which dictates the position you spend most time in. And it'd good if you're waking up when you're on your back - your body is telling you to change position! If you haven't already, invest in a U shaped pregnancy pillow which will support you better in a side lying position

Original poster

FH27 · 17/03/2020 23:02

Thanks everyone for your replies, I think I will have to invest in a pregnancy pillow. I was thinking they were more for when you had a big bump to support but sounds like it would be useful now. Does anyway have any recommendations on a good one for keeping you on your side?

OP posts:

Spark27 · 17/03/2020 23:32

@FH27 my first pregnancy I bought a huge U shaped pillow (looks like a big pillow shaped pair of legs) and it's amazing. I've got it out again now for my 2nd pregnancy. I usually sleep on my front, but now I cant and I was getting so uncomfortable. It's really handy as you can lie on your side and have it in between you legs/knees, and can have the other side wedged behind you to help stop you rolling to your back. And the top of the U bit can help with propping your head up if you have heartburn.
Definitely one of the best pregnancy items I ever bought. x

CoolNoMore · 18/03/2020 05:13

Check this with your medical pro, but I was told that if sleeping on your back becomes a problem that you will know about it and if it's comfortable then you're fine. I slept on my back until about 34 weeks with my first and he's looney, but otherwise fine

Lovelostnfoundx · 18/03/2020 06:12

I have a large u-shaped pregnancy pillow and rather than it stopping me rolling into my back it seems I always wake up having cosily nestled myself on my back inside the u-shape! I have it between my legs and wedged under me when I initially go to sleep. Has anyone got any advice on stopping this?

ShirleyPhallus · 18/03/2020 06:27

If I lie on my back I feel sick and dizzy within about a minute so absolutely no sleeping possible, I assume that’s the bump pressing on the vein the PP mentioned but it wakes me up so no back sleeping possible!

The dream genie is ok but has a special back bit to keep you on your side

mumma2b2020 · 18/03/2020 07:15

I don't think there is a way to ensure you always sleep on your side, I think naturally during the night we do end up on our backs - whenever I have, I have then woken up and moved onto my side. I have a dream geniie pillow which I do find really useful so definitely worth investing in one x

Chanel05 · 18/03/2020 07:19

@Spark27 can you tell me what brand pillow you have? I'm looking for one.

Original poster

FH27 · 18/03/2020 07:25

Thanks guys for your replies. It seems like a pillow is the way to go, will also speak to my midwife next time I see her. The dreamgeenie one seems to be most recommended, does everyone agree that it's worth the cost? I was hoping to pick up a second hand one to save a bit of money but with everything that's going on that doesn't feel right anymore (even though I would have washed it regardless)

OP posts:

ShirleyPhallus · 18/03/2020 07:48

Re dream genie, it is great but only good I think if you’re fairly slim (!) I find now I’m heavily pregnant that the gap for lying in between the big bit and the small back pillow is rather narrow and makes me feel a bit claustrophobic.

secretllama · 18/03/2020 08:30

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/tiredness-sleep-pregnant/

It doesnt matter whether you sleep on your left or right side

BadCatDirtyCat · 18/03/2020 11:03

@secretllama - gah! That is completely contrary to what my (NHS) obstetrician told me! I'll go back to sleeping on my side then..

squee123 · 18/03/2020 14:19

this link goes through all the evidence and is worth a read. I started trying to train myself to side sleep from around 24 weeks and I'm glad I did as eventually it became a new habit and now at 35 weeks I'm much more reliable at staying on my right side

Spark27 · 18/03/2020 15:51

@Chanel05, apologies for the delay, been struck at work wrapping it all up for the next 12 weeks! I ordered it from Amazon and it's a Sanggol U shaped full length/body maternity pillow. It's on there now at about £46.99. Pricey, but I've found it was so worth it x

R2D2abc · 18/03/2020 15:56

The advice for only left side is outdated. New research shown both sides are fine.

I have bad SPD and move from one side to the other during nigh. Now I am too big to accidentally turn on my back, but it happened occasionally during second trimester and just woke up and change position, nothing to worry of it happens.

As others said a pregnancy pillow might help getting a nice comfortable position to sleep.

Sarenka90 · 19/03/2020 08:40

Hi, I've got a BBhugme some scandinavian brand, very expensive but also very good. I bought it for my back problems and used it for a while, then my boyfriend nicked it for months because it's so comfy to sleep on. So when I fell pregnant and started using it again, I had to buy him a smaller version because there was a lot of tears in my household. He got used to it so much, no way of stop using it :D I love it too. Apparently after the baby is here you can use it as a day nap nest for them, but I think I will just keep it as my pillow :D

Lunamoonchick · 25/03/2020 17:19

I keep falling asleep on my right side. Since all this craziness has begun I'm resting and sleeping a lot. I keep falling asleep on the settee on the right side. Then at night I'm constantly waking on my right side and turning over I'm 20weeks.

thethirdbar · 26/03/2020 13:20

i've never been a back sleeper, i am more of a front sleeper. i am not really able to lie on my back or front anymore though! i've got the theraline pillow which i love and i also have a cheapy small u-pillow and wedge. i lie on my left side and have the theraline behind me, sort of curved around me so it props up my back and i am resting my head on it, and then the other pillows between my legs to support my pelvis and under my bump. i find the theraline back support really comfy and DH says i look very cosy all snuggled in my pillow coccoon lol.

MonaLisaDoesntSmile · 26/03/2020 16:14

I sleep mostly on my left, but alternate to my right as well as the pain in my left thigs sometimes prevents sleep. I have a fab pregnancy pillow which helped in my last pregnancy (and my partner has been using it in the meantime, lol, he now wants it back!).

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