Help - problems sleeping on side due to baby kicking as though it's uncomfortable... anyone else had this?

[windypop]

I am in the 3rd trimester.

Am more than happy to sleep on my side, but I find that within minutes of moving onto my side the baby starts prodding, poking and squirming as though I am squashing it. Sleeping on the other side produces the same reaction.

Initially I wondered if it was because the bump was touching the mattress (well the pillow on the mattress) meant that I could feel things more than usual, but it definitely feels like the baby is protesting!

Has anyone else experienced this?! TIA!

Yes!! DS used to protest when I laid on my side! I had a wedge pillow from m'care which helped to some extent as I don't think it was 'digging in' so much...not that they can feel much, but he definately protested...I used to find talking in a soothing voice and patting my tummy gently settled him, or I would get up for a little walk around the bedroom.

Incidentally, he is a strong and determined little character now so seems as if he started in the womb!!

Thanks MCiJC! I asked the midwife about it and she was puzzled and said she'd never heard of that before, I think she thought I was making it up!

I haven't got a wedge pillow but will try one, I have got a small squashy pillow though and try to flatten it so it is more the shape of a wedge IYSWIM.

The baby starts up within 2-3 mins of lying on side, a little prod-prod, then a prod-prod-poke, then prod prod BIG KICK prod KICK prod SQUIRM and so on and so on... it really feels like it's saying "MOVE YOU BIG OAF, YOU ARE SQUASHING ME!!!"

(I am not that big either, honest, just an average size 12-14!)

I have this, didn't really feel that bubs was protesting, but I have noticed that movements increase when I'm on my side. Think it's possibly a gravity thing? I wouldn't worry - it's got to be better than on your front!!!!

Hi MrsC, I hope/wish that the baby isn't protesting but it's just the build up of movements! If it was a random kick or move then fine but it's the way it builds up to the stage where I can't ignore it if I tried. Then I worry that it's squirming because I am pressing on it's head or something, the thought of which is awful!

I have this too. I'm 35 weeks and it gets uncomfortable whichever side I lie on now. Baby seems to slide to that side and then wriggle. I also have a pillow tucked under one side and that seems to help a bit. Have pretty much resigned myself to not sleeping properly till after the birth now (except for when I doze off on the sofa during the evening of course...)

wedge pillows are LUSH - buy one asap!!!

I have it too. It always starts within a few minutes of laying down. I put it down to the fact that when I get into bed, I stop moving, therefore baby isn't being rocked anymore and wakes up iyswim. I don't think your baby is telling you he's squashed or uncomfortable, he's just getting you used to a lack of sleep
Hope it gets better for you soon, but I really wouldn't worry about it, your baby is well cushioned and doubt you'll be able to squash him by laying on your side.

You really won't squash it's head - there's a whole lot of water there to stop you doing just that! I would think its just that mini-windypop needs to get itself comfy when you move.

Thanks all! I must admit I am paranoid about squashing it. Baby must have enough room in there though as it's not engaged and turns all the time (am 34 weeks).

I am used to waking up around 6x a night (usually 3 trips to the toilet and around 3 for turning over) but am now finding even going to sleep or settling back to sleep a real problem. The other night I went to the loo and it took two hours to go back to sleep even though I was exhausted, because there just was no comfortable position to be found. It is good practice though I guess!

I am finding sitting uncomfortable also - I have to slump on the sofa like Denise from the Royle Family because the top of the bump is so high, my boobs rest on it! Plus my ribs ache so much, even sneezing or coughing.

Does any of this get better when the baby has engaged?! Or is it that it's just a big bump/baby? (fundus measured 34.5 weeks at 32.5 weeks for example, the bump has always charted higher than the highest or outer line on the graph!) This is my first baby so I don't know any better!

I had forgetten about this!

I rememeber rocking myself when lying on my side to try to get dd to sleep!! I worked a treat some nights.

You'll prob find that when baby drops/engages, you can breathe easier and your ribs don't hurt as much and all the pains with coughing etc gets better.
At 32 weeks (33now) was measuring 36 weeks, but it might just be alot of water, might not be big baby......

My fundus measurements have been big as well - but my bump is so low slung, I've been really lucky as I've had no breathing problems or indigestion or anything.

Think your MW must be a loon! Must be one of the worst bits of late pregnancy- all that moving around when you're trying to sleep. I'm 34 weeks with No 2 and it never stops moving when I lie down. Sure it was the same with DD

You are lucky MrsCY. I switched from the gaviscon to the rennies today and they work soooo much better!
Just thought I'd share that

I'm really glad to know I am not the only one with a big bump/fundus, as well as not the only one with this side lying issue!
Will trying rocking a bit, LL, thanks for tip!

I thought that too about my MW, TVF!

You are definitely lucky MrsC, I am suffering soooo badly from heartburn, it is awful. I hate the taste of Gaviscon with a passion, LBB, (all flavours, nothing covers up that funny undertaste although I can't deny the stuff works!). The tablets are slightly more bearable than the liquid. I can only take the liquid by holding my nose so I can't taste it and then quickly having a swig of cordial or milk afterwards, like a kid

Rennies are much more palatable but the effects don't last as long, I find unfortunately.

Try a bit of toothpaste, doesn't last too long though, but tastes nice and just soothes that burn. I carry a travel tube with me and used it constantly with ds. I couldn't drink gaviscon liquid, nasty

I had forgotten about this too. It continued until she was born for me. I remember the first night I went to bed after she'd been born and lay on my side expecting a kicking and couldn't believe she was just lying next to me instead! Looking back it was the first indicator of a feisty little madam!!

Thank you LBB, that is a top tip! Will try it.

Thanks mums..I have the same problem..FTM and I couldn't sleep for worry I was squishing her dear little head! Will have a good night's sleep tonight

Thank god this post exists. Im going through this right now with my first baby. It honestly feels like he is protesting!! It starts with a few light kicks to major ones and fast ones. It's like he really hates me being on the side but he does it whatever side I'm on!. I'm 29 weeks