How to stop sleeping on my back & pregnancy pillow recommendations

[TashieWoo]

Morning all

I’m 16+6 and getting a bit of a bump now but no back pain yet. I am worried about sleeping on my back though as I know that presents risks. I never used to and I always fall asleep on my left side, but if I wake up in the night I am always on my back and DP said that I’m always on my back when he comes in to bed a couple of hours after me.

Would a pregnancy pillow help to keep me on my side? I was going to get one anyway as I’m sure it will help as I get bigger. Can anyone recommend a good one?

Thanks in advance xx

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MNHQ update:
This thread is a few years old now, but if you've come across it while on the hunt for pregnancy pillow recommendations, our guide to the best pregnancy pillow has been recently updated to reflect current availability and popular new releases. It includes a wide range of options, from budget buys to pillows you can use for infant support and tummy time later on down the line. We hope it's helpful!

Started using my pregnancy pillow at 14 weeks with this baby and it's a god send! I got the Grandma Shark one - it's very comfortable and supportive x

So I used this pillow from before I got pregnant as it helped with some hip/knee pain I was having. I’ve found it helpful to stop me rolling onto my back as I wedge it around myself as I fall asleep, then even if I do roll in my sleep I’m usually at an angle.

kneepillow.co.uk/products/the-total-body-support-pillow

I also found that putting my hair in a tight bun at the base of my head made it uncomfortable if I did try to roll as well. I seem to recall reading that the really important part if that you don’t fall asleep on your side - as that’s the position you’re in the longest. So if you wake up on your back roll over and fall back asleep on your side.

Don't worry about it. It's not that important to avoid your back especially at this stage, they retracted the advice a few years ago as it was basically that the weight of the baby will press on a certain artery, but if it causes you to feel breathless then you'll naturally adjust your position anyway. They used to think it was a factor in stillbirths but later research found it to be a non-issue.

Thank you all - @BertieBotts that makes sense how I would wake up and change position automatically if the artery was compromised, interesting and reassuring.

I think I will still get a pillow though as I’m sure I’ll need some back support in the next weeks/months, and they have lots of uses going forward.

@babyboybluex the grandma shark one looks good but it’s huge, does it seem big in bed? We have a king sized bed so there is space for it, and it isn’t too expensive either.

Thank you for the link @Eumy - I will check it out.

DP bought me this one:

Chilling Home® Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping, C Shaped Maternity Pillow Cuddle Pillow, 53 inch Body Pillow for Sleeping, Maternity & Body Pillows for adults with Cover Velvet https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QZ12L7Y/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcSXG6C3AJAJ9GCP8XEX02

It super soft & comfy, it can be adjusted into many different positions. I had PGP so used to have it behind me & between my knees when sleeping to stop me rolling & reduce pressure on my back & hips. Now DS is here I use it for feeding him as well.

I’m 15+4 and got mine last week as I’m a belly sleeper and I was getting uncomfortable fast! I went for the bbhugme - super expensive but I’ve justified to OH if I keep for all our kids the cost per child isn’t that much 😂 he suffers with a bad back often and he was pleased with the science and team who designed it so easily agreed (plus I had a £30 off code). I absolutely love it, no matter where I wake up in bed I’m clutched around it and my little brother came for a visit from his base this weekend and he even stole it for a nap yesterday!

The other one I looked into which had good reviews was dreamgeneii and they’re a lot cheaper around £50 mark x