Sleeping on your back during pregnancy

[rosear]

Hi,
I have a question, I have done some research etc but cant find much about it... I am really struggling to sleep on one side, my hips are hurting a lot and also my back hurts (I think i got a bit of cyatic) so I am propping myself up with a couple of pillows every night to sleep on my back for a bit. I am currently 26 weeks +5 pregnant, so soon, according to NHS, I should avoid completely sleeping on my back. My question is, can I still sleep on my back with the extra pillows as I am not completely flat at all, but it gives me a break on my hips which feels amazing.
Help please!

You'll find that it's probably going to start getting uncomfortable sleeping on your back now that baby is getting bigger. But yes, proper is fine, its only recommended for side sleeper not a strict rule.
If you're finding it uncomfortable to side sleep on your hips I always find a thick pillow inbetween my knees helped keep my hips at a better angle, perhaps you will too?

Tell your midwife you have pelvic girdle pain, I am 31 weeks and have had the same thing since I was about 25, trying to sleep on side but getting hip pain. As soon as I told the midwife I was referred for a one off physio where they taught me some exercises and if they don’t work you can ask for a more thorough appointment. The NHS seem keen to nip it in the bud during pregnancy as it can cause more issues afterwards if not treated properly.
(I’m still suffering btw, hasn’t really got better)

That’s how I have slept in all of my pregnancies, on my back but propped up so I’m not flat

I slept on my back propped up a little with pillows. I suffered from heartburn so helped this. Didn't know it wasn't advised to sleep on back, why is that.

@Iloveeverycat I think I read there's a big blood vessel, and the extra weight from baby puts too much pressure on that so mother is at risk of passing out.

It increases the risk of stillbirth

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/sleep-side/sleep-position-pregnancy-qa

What sort of pillows are you using, OP? I went through three "fancy" pregnancy pillows before I bought a huge, deep but basic 12ft U shape one off Amazon, and that one seemed to work the best for my hip pain. I also switched to the mattress from our spare room, which was a bit firmer and helped support me a bit more.

I bought an extra long pregnancy pillow and I’d thread it across my shoulder and rest the bump on it, then lie on my side and wrap my leg around it, sort of cuddling the pregnancy pillow. It was super comfortable.