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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Sleeping on your left side, not on your back

12 replies

Gentle · 05/04/2009 22:57

I'm well into my 2nd trimester and know that I should be sleeping on my left hand side to avoid squishing my vena cava etc. I also know that lying flat on your back is not advisable.

Trouble is, I always get a dead left leg and left arm after about 45 minutes that wake me up. I always wake up in the morning flat on my back anyway.

Anyone out there got this sleeping on the left thing comfortably sussed?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LittleMissNorty · 05/04/2009 23:00

I wouldn't worry. You will get to a point where you can't turn over or move without a huge effort and waking up. You won't find yourself on your back then - its too uncomfortable.

Lots of people swear by using lots of extra pillows down their length to help them get comfy.

gigglechick · 05/04/2009 23:03

I'm also unable to sleep on my side, lower back probs, made worse by pg. With all three of mine I had a "nest" - dh had about 6 inches of the king-size bed - but I had one of the 'banana' pillows, several cushions, my normal pillow and a small beanbag . I propped myself up to a sitting-reclined position iyswim, which was comfortable for me and appeared not to do me any harm.

electra · 05/04/2009 23:06

Oh, you have my sympathy. I'm 38 weeks and still waking up on my back! My baby is posterior!

Original poster

Gentle · 05/04/2009 23:16

electra exactly! My firstborn ended up a transverse lie so I've turned into a bit of a positioning tyrant.

gigglechick Hadn't thought of a beanbag - thank you, will scout one out. I had hoped that I could wait until later for the whole sleeping half-sitting-up bit, but perhaps that is exactly what I need to do.

OP posts:

gigglechick · 05/04/2009 23:22

I am not advising you to follow my dreadful example
(...but I had/still have a normal pillow case about half filled with 'beanbag-beans', another pillowcase over the top for washability for bad chocolate-eating-in-bed habit)

Original poster

Gentle · 05/04/2009 23:39

Actually gigglechick I think that should be okay, from what I've read about positioning (and I've read a LOT!) reclining isn't ideal for foetal position so should be avoided during the day, but fine for sleeping.

It's being "prone" on your back that's dangerous. I love the use of that word - prone to what? Having a really good night's sleep?!

OP posts:

gigglechick · 05/04/2009 23:46

To be fair, I read up a lot on it to, obv like you because I wanted to sleep on my back but everything written on the subject said don't!
The basic fact was that my back simply wouldn't put up with me sleeping on my side, so was never really going to be an option. The a/n clinic physios advised me in the end, but they wanted to emphasise that it was only because of wanting to avoid further injury to my back. That "this medication is only for you" type label!!

gigglechick · 05/04/2009 23:47

erm, too*

Jackaroo · 06/04/2009 03:16

with my first, I was very lucky in that I've always slept on my left side, and continued to do that (very smug first time mummy in the making then...).

This time round, I'm obsessed with sleepign on my back (never have before) or on my right. My Theraline bean bag "boyfriend" has been fantastic. Used it the first tiem too.

Tried cheaper versions, but ended up spending more because in teh end I got this one. I means I can lie on my side, with boobs and bump propped (that doesn't look right?! SP?) up against it, and the bottom third between my knees and ankles.. keepign my hips at an equal distance apart.. does that make sense? Anyway, here it is....

www.theraline.de/english/still-original.htm

Got mine at John Lewis but it's not on their website.

Good luck - oh - having said all that, my obstetrician tellsme you'd wake up feeling uncomfortable long before doing the baby any harm, so whilst boring for you, not a life or death situation, left side is just optimal.

brettgirl2 · 06/04/2009 06:58

I really wouldn't worry about it - sleep in whatever position you actually can sleep I think!

I woke up on back through whole of 2nd trimester and baby is not transverse. Now I sleep on left and right sides, whatever is most comfortable at the time.

juniperberry · 06/04/2009 20:36

I just have to say how wonderful the theraline bean bags are too. Used one throughout my first pregnancy and have never stopped! You can also buy them at bumpto3.com Sweet Dreams!

YanknbeforetheCockcrows · 06/04/2009 20:44

I'm having sort of the opposite problem, I just can't stop sleeping on my stomach! I'm 20 weeks now. Because I'm already fat, I had a pretty large pudge. I haven't gained any weight, but the pudge is getting firmer and I can't suck it in anymore. I am hoping at some point being on my front will stop being comfortable so I am forced to go on my side!

The baby is starting to move now, and I can feel it wiggling when I'm trying to sleep--it's probably being squished. DH is worried the baby will come out flat as a pancake!

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