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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 back...

19 replies

VelvetQuilt · 20/04/2010 09:30

Hi Ladies,

I'm 17wks pregnant now and the nagging voice in the back of my mind is saying I shouldn't be sleeping on my back anymore. I'm only aware of this as whilst watching a couple of labour programs they told the mothers not to lie on their backs for too long as it reduces the oxygen supply to the baby and the placenta.

So...should I still be doing this? I feel as though all my favourite sleeping positions are disappearing-I always used to start by sleeping on my front, then on either side when in deep sleep and finally wind up on my back when I woke up. I think I'm probably quite an active sleeper!

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Octaviapink · 20/04/2010 09:42

I always used to sleep on my back and did so in my last pregnancy until my body stopped assuming that position when I was asleep by itself - I didn't consciously stop. The advice on this changes periodically - last time I was watching a video (which was clearly from the 80s judging by the big hair and the frilly milkmaid dresses!) and the advice there was to rest on your back with your ankles raised.

2ndDestiny · 20/04/2010 09:57

Hi Velvet

I'm in much the same position as you - almost 17 weeks and keep trying to stop sleeping on my back only to wake up on my back! I've been slightly worried about this - haven't had a chance to speak to my midwife about it yet (see her next week) but a recently pregnant friend of mine was advised that when lying on your back, you will start to feel funny (light-headed, dizzy) etc. BEFORE any harm is done to the baby, so you get a 'warning' as it were. At the moment when I lie on my back I don't feel at all uncomfortable but I'm trying to change my habits sooner rather than later and struggling with it! I find it really uncomfortable to be in one position (lying on the left, as recommended) all night and must be flipping over in my sleep! I have also tried laying with a pillow down underneath the right side of my back - so that I'm not completely flat (I think I read on here that the artery you need to avoid squashing is on the right hand side) - this sort of works but I sometimes push the pillow out the way in my sleep

Original poster

VelvetQuilt · 20/04/2010 10:23

It's a nightmare isn't it! I liken it to when my mum used to plait my hair at night when I was little to give it that crimped effect and I had to be really careful not to move my head too much in the night!

I will try the pillow underneath the right side of my back and see how it goes. I have felt a little uncomfortable at times lying on my back though I think that may have been the baby sitting in a funny position or something.

And it all looks so simple from the outside looking in-who'd have thought there'd be so much to consider!!!

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Ladyemmalou83 · 20/04/2010 11:04

Im 30+6 and still finding myself walking up on my back. I always fall asleep on my left side but I clearly turn over during the night. I have tried with the pillow down my right side but my DH knicks it in his sleep. So far the only thing to help is a small cushion on the right side. I still wake up leaning on it, but at least I havent woken up feeling dizzy. I just wake up to BH instead - joyful

Ladyemmalou83 · 20/04/2010 11:04

I meant waking....not walking...oops

sunshiney · 20/04/2010 11:58

I'm 34 wks now, around 30 weeks I stopped waking up to find myself on my back. It's very uncomfortable to be on my back now I feel so squashed like that.

Actually I barely move nowadays in my sleep it's just so difficult. I make sure I fall asleep on my left and wake up like that (for each of the 500 nightly loo trips)

Original poster

VelvetQuilt · 20/04/2010 11:59

Ooo yes-BH, I think that's what I may have woken up with this morning...although it was just on the right side of my uterus and not the left. It's still there actually...little twinges?

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sunshiney · 20/04/2010 12:05

Doesn't sound like a typical bh. They are more like a cramp/contracting feeling in your uterus, if you put your hand on your stomach you can feel it's gone a bit hard.

What you describe sounds a bit like a stretching ligament type thing?

Bh's you usually feel a bit later on

cornballer · 20/04/2010 12:22

My midwife said you can sleep at an angle, like prop something under your back on one side so you're at 45 degrees. I find that is a good compromise and much comfier than being confined to sleeping on the left side.

Original poster

VelvetQuilt · 20/04/2010 12:24

Yes, it's probably more likely to be cramps, it's my first baby so everything is very new. My hips feel really loose at the moment too so I have to be careful moving in bed (and when I'm not I wake up pretty quickly with a bit of discomfort!)

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Octaviapink · 20/04/2010 12:56

Last time if I tried to sleep on my right side the baby would go bananas and wake me up!

Jayfer · 20/04/2010 12:57

I spent most nights all through my pregnancy waking myself up and then panicking that I was on my back. Now (38+5wks) I'm just pleased to be asleep and find it too uncomfortable to sleep on my back. I now wake up every time I have to roll over as its a bit of an extreme effort. Can't wait to get my body back.

beanlet · 20/04/2010 14:03

Your vena cava runs down your right hand side sleeping on it increases the possibility of leg swelling, hemaerrhoids (sp.) and other pregnancy-related vein problems in the lower half of your body. Your main artery runs down the middle of your body, and sleeping on your back reduces blood and therefore oxygen flow to you and your baby when I do it my heart starts pounding and my breathing gets more shallow.

I hate sleeping on just one side and not moving -- I find it very uncomfortable, and at 29 weeks I've been rebelling a bit. But it is the best thing for you and your LO. Grrr. Looking forward to sleeping on my front again!

dolphina78 · 20/04/2010 15:16

I am 33+2 and remember asking my midwife about sleeping on my back and she said it doesn't harm the baby, it just puts pressure on the vena cava which can make you feel dizzy so to just make sure you have a couple of pillows so you're not completely flat in bed!
I fall asleep evrey night in this position!

munchkinland · 20/04/2010 15:27

I have a dream genie which has a little cushion for your back too to stop you rolling completely - I love it!!

bumpology · 20/04/2010 17:02

I'm 21 weeks pregnant, and I too keep waking up on my back. Sometimes it feels a bit uncomfortable, but surely it can't be that bad or my body wouldn't keep doing it.
I have noticed that lying on my side and hugging a pillow helps reduce the shoulder pain I sometimes get if I sleep on my side..

mum2oneloudbaby · 20/04/2010 20:35

i'm with you munchkinland i got a dreamgenie with pg1 it's fab, essential in the last trimester and great for feeding afterwards.

just got it out again for pg2 wouldn't be without it and did help me keep on my side during the night.

dolphina78 · 21/04/2010 11:30

okay, silly question, but do you not find you wake up more cos as soon as you turn over, there's no support there?!
Maybe I am only finding this as I am so blooming fidgety in bed!
The best thing I have found so far was a knee support pillow which keeps your legs apart but haven't needed to use it yet!

Original poster

VelvetQuilt · 21/04/2010 11:49

Well last night was hilarious...or rather not.

Put two pillows along my back in bed and laid on my left side trying to get to sleep. It took me aaaaages and then when I finally drifted off I would wake up and find myself on my back again (although slightly tilted over the cushions) or with an awful cramp in my left leg as I'd be laying too still for long! The only nice thing about it was feeling the baby kicking away.

In the end I was a little naughty, rolled over onto my right side and hugged the cushions instead.

Perhaps I'm trying too hard to do something my body isn't ready to do yet?

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