Sleeping on my back - when to give up

[negrilbaby]

I know it's not recommended to sleep on your back in later pregnancy but was wondering when should I give up on it. I'm 16 weeks now and find sleeping on my side very uncomfortable - have suffered from carpal tunnel and side sleeping seems to bring on pins and needles very quickly.

its actually an old wifes tale about sleeping on your back, i asked 3 different MW's as i couldnt sleep any other way and they said its ok to sleep on your back, as your body will wake you up if there is a problem. if your worried, prop yourself up with a few pillows so your not completly on your back

Snap. I'm 27+4 and asked my MW yesterday as I am still sleeping on my back. She said if I feel fine then to continue and my body will tell me if and when to start sleeping on my side. I have a large V shaped pillow slightly propping me up so I'm not flat out but I am comfy!

Sleeping on your back doesnt cut off blood supply to baby, just blood supply to your brain. This is due to weight of bump on some main artery/vein. You will know when this starts happening because you will feel dizzy and breathless on your back.

Make the most of notlying on your side just yet. In later pregnanct you then have to be on your side all the time and its not good for your hips at all. so make the most of other sleeping positions while you can.

I slept on my back all the way through my pregnancy as it was the only way to get comfortable.

I am now 38 weeks and have slept on my back on and off and for a while was having a stopping breathing in the night thing which they thought was due to me being on back even though I know it was also when on side! But that seems to have resolved since head engaged. I agree with firstimer- you will know when it starts happening and your body will move itself if there is a problem.

I still occasionally go onto my back as it is comfier sometimes however bewarned about baby positioning- I have spent too long either on my back or reclining this pregnancy and as a reward I have a back to back baby who is unlikely to shift. So a bit later on in your pregnancy do try to make sure you do spend some time on your side when asleep or one all fours, or leaning forwards when awake so your baby ends up in a hopefully better position than mine has!