Sleeping on my back - am I causing harm?

[pregnancy1]

This is a really silly question, but I heard somewhere that you shouldn't sleep on your back during pregnancy. I am 26 weeks and am trying to do everything by the book (first pregnancy). I have swapped sides of the bed with DH to encourage me to sleep on my left side, placed a pillow between my legs and happily fall asleep that way. However, I keep waking up on my back and have to force myself to roll back over to my side. I know that when I get up having been lying on my back that I struggle to breath for a while, but am I risking hurting my baby?

I know it sounds silly, but I could have sworn somewhere that you shouldn't do it.... If so, what can I do to stop myself (other than supergluing thumb takc to my back!!)

I can't think of any reason why you shouldn't sleep on your back.

Perhaps you have seen advice on how to get comfortable - those kind of advices generally say to sleep on your side with a cushion for your bump.

Really, I am sure it is a case of take whatever sleep you can, in whatever position you can.

well you shouldn't sleep on your front but I haven't heard about sleeping on your back. I can't imagine why that would be bad. Sleeping is hard enough when preg, just do it how is comfortable!

I found I was rolling on to my back until I got to about 30 wks - since then I've not been able to lie on my back for more than 5 wks as I get really light-headed. I've heard it restricts oxygen flow and that's why

it can make you feel dizzy as it can reduce the blood flow from a major artery
however if you feel ok I am sure it is fine

you can sleep on your front too as well if you feel comfortable! it won't cause damage

ideal position is on your left hand side as this encourages good blood flow to the placenta and also good positioning of the baby

but we will all roll into whatever position most comfortable and tbh it is more important that you just get a good night;s sleep

Ah brilliant, thanks. V reassuring. I was close to getting DH to wake me up if he saw I was on my back!
Goodness knows where I picked up that random non-fact then.....

Sleeping on your back is fine as long as you have your head on a pillow - you will only restrict blood flow if you have your head lower than or level with your body - so don't worry, just be comfortable!

The reason you are told not to sleep on your back is that sleeping on your back means your babys weight could apply pressure to the inferior vena cava that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.
HOWEVER the discomfort will probably wake you up before any damage is done. So. Don't worry.
If it's still comfortable to sleep on your back then go for it (I did until about 28 weeks) but after 30 weeks it will probably not feel comfortable anyway.

It can also cause your baby to be breech apparently

Can I second Libra's post - lying on your back or right literally squashes a major vein and decreases blood flow to your uterus and to the baby. Try and sleep on your left - I also wake up on my back. Left is best, followed by right then back. Sleeping on left also decreases swelling and improves blood pressure and breathing.
HTH x

Sleeping on your back is also bad for your spine