18 weeks..don't lie on back?

[Pickles2023]

Midwife was doing doppler, and heartbeat started off a bit dodgy (distress sign?) Once i moved onto side it was healthy again. So advised not to sleep on back..

Why would this happen at 18 weeks? Is it a sign going forward of complications?

Haven't had 20 week scan yet so don't know positioning of placenta or anything if that might have something to do with it?

The general advice for every pregnant person is not to lie on your back to sleep as it’s something to do with the weight putting pressure on an artery or something and it can restrict blood flow to the baby. If you have a pregnancy pillow then that can really help to keep you on your side. And if you’re relaxing on the sofa for example, just prop your top half up a bit with cushions. As long as you’re not flat on your back then it’s fine.

During the second trimester, the baby has the potential to be large enough to put pressure on the interior vena cava. This usually happens around 20 weeks, sometimes earlier.

This pressure reduces the blood flow to you and baby and can cause dizziness, nausea, etc. It can also cause a change in fetal heart rate as the blood flow is being restricted.

From 27 weeks, it's dangerous to lie or sleep on your back because of the level of restriction on the vena cava. Sleeping on yoir back after 27 weeks increases the risk of stillbirth by 50%. I don't think it's considered dangerous before then, especially for short periods, just uncomfortable.

So yes, lie on your side from now on when possible and under no circumstances sleep on your back from 27 weeks.

I couldn’t lie in my back for more than about a minute without feeling lightheaded. I remember having a scan and the technician getting arsey because I was trying to sit up before I passed out.

Oh, i just find myself on my back at night..but i wonder if thats why i am waking up with a pounding headache :( ive tried a pillow last night and was ok. Thank you :)