Sleeping tips appreciated

[Mrspopp2017]

Hi all,
Does anyone have any good tips on how to remain sleeping on their left side when it's not their normal sleeping position??

I have one of those U shaped body pillows but it's not working, I'm constantly waking up in the night either on my back or right side or with the worst back, hip and knee pain.

The later into my pregnancy I get the more concerned I am thay I'm putting baby at risk by not being able to stay on my left.

Thank you x

While the left side is slightly better, right side is safe too, so please don’t worry about being on your right side. I suspect if you’re waking up on your back you probably haven’t been there long (I’m guessing the discomfort is what’s waking you) and it’s really not unsafe if it’s not for an extended period, think about it - scans are done with you lying on your back, so are examinations in early labour. No medical professional is concerned about you lying on your back for 30 mins/an hour (I have twins that share a placenta, so scans every fortnight that take over an hour and this is not at all a cause for concern).

Maybe your U shaped pillow is just not the right size to support you at the moment? Your body is changing shape/size all the time, I never found that one pillow was right for long. I prefer to have a spare duvet that I can wrap between my legs/under bump or whatever - it’s more adjustable so I find that more comfy. If I’m comfy I’m more likely to stay in one position.

I found the same even with the pillow which did help me, half the time i woke up on my back as I’ve never been a side sleeper!

Midwife told me it was absolutely fine, just turn back on your side when you wake up.

It’s so hard isn’t it.

Laying on my back is the most comfortable.

I’m 30 weeks and have a huge pillow to help me lay on my side, but I wake up with awful hip/thigh pain every hour and have to change sides. I’m bloody exhausted from it.

The right is fine too. I've constantly found myself lying on my back during my pregnancy but have found the further along you are, the less you sleep on your back because it's SO uncomfortable and painful sometimes. If you wake up on your back then just flip over to either side.

Have you tried putting a normal pillow between your knees and ankles, so it supports both joints? My hips were really painful from sleeping on my side but have been much better since I used a pillow. It just takes a bit of coordination when you turn over at night!

Thank you for all the advice guys, I've had two nights of much better sleep so fingers crossed it continues xx