Sleeping on back

[discoballs88]

Hi! And sorry - another question...

Can anyone advise if it's the second or third trimester where you should avoid sleeping on your back?

And any tips for doing so? It's my most favourite position for sleeping and even when I try to sleep on my side, I seem to default back to it! 🤦‍♀️

Thank you so much in advance xx

I’m make sure when you’re supposed to start but I found the u shape pregnancy pillows helped me not roll onto my bag as I’d have it snug behind my back. Also as I went on in both pregnancies it wasn’t comfortable to sleep on my back anyway

I was in hospital the last week and rolled on to
My back at one point just to change position and a midwife stopped me and asked if I always slept like that (I don't) but she said the advice is 28 weeks onwards not to sleep on your back

I think the advice is avoid from 28 weeks onwards, but it’s best to start earlier to get your body used to it.

It’s tough! I can only sleep on my left side right now, because obviously can’t sleep front and back and when I’m on my right, he kicks like crazy. He really really doesn’t like and has been that way for weeks! I just miss sleeping how I want!

It's at the end of pregnancy, because of potential issues with blood pressure. TBH I was always so uncomfortable, so would never stay in any position for long.

Also, can we lie on our backs? I often lie back on the sofa, so that my feet are up on the table and I’m almost lying back, but fully, as my top half sits up a bit. But my bump is lying flat.

@MsHedgehog

I often sit like this (34 weeks with twins so virtually no position is comfortable now!) and will WFH half sat up on a pillow sending the odd half hearted email 🤣

I recall reading somewhere that this is fine because you won't stay in there position for hours in end and also the body tends to relax and get heavier when asleep and it's this that put pressure on blood flow and the placenta

@MsHedgehog it’s not advised as it encourages baby into a back to back position, I currently have that now at 37 weeks and trying to get baby to move with no luck

Thank you so much everyone! If I can wrestle the pregnancy pillow back from my DH (he loves it!) and find a comfy side position, I should be ready for the third trimester snoozing then! Thank you again xx

@discoballs88 the advice from NHS is 28 weeks onwards, but it really depends how big your bump is. If you’re 25 weeks, lying on your back and feel uncomfortable this is a sign you should move on your side. Also practice sleeping on your side before 28 weeks - if you’re like me it will take some getting used to!

I found a pregnancy pillow didn’t work for me... I used to get so freaked out but the bigger you get it will become so difficult (and you’ll go light headed and feel awful) that it’s easy to roll over

[quote kittenpeak]@discoballs88 the advice from NHS is 28 weeks onwards, but it really depends how big your bump is. If you’re 25 weeks, lying on your back and feel uncomfortable this is a sign you should move on your side. Also practice sleeping on your side before 28 weeks - if you’re like me it will take some getting used to!

I found a pregnancy pillow didn’t work for me... I used to get so freaked out but the bigger you get it will become so difficult (and you’ll go light headed and feel awful) that it’s easy to roll over[/quote]
I read something about it somewhere early on and for some reason got it in my head that you shouldn't sleep on your back at any point during pregnancy. So kept waking up in a panic at 3am! Luckily well clear of that phase now. Haven't tried the pillow yet (and not totally convinced I won't roll off the bed when using it 🤣) but I've got friends who rave so am looking forward to giving it a go when the time is right! Xx

I find it quite hard not to sleep on my back, I used to love it!! I'm almost 33 weeks and my sides are hurting, so sometimes I try to lay on my belly's side with one leg straight and the other flexed to support my bump, that's the one alternative I could find!