Randoms - Week of 2/13

byrneme

Have any thoughts, questions, feelings, fears? Spill them here!

This is a good place to ask questions to a broader audience than the weekly trimester check-ins so those with experience can chime in!

byrneme

I have a random question about sleeping on your back. I didn't think I really did this so I wasn't very concerned but a) I've now read multiple times that sleeping on your back past 16 weeks is not good for you or your baby and b) I keep waking up on my back so I clearly actually do sleep on it even if I don't start there. I plan on asking at my appointment next week but, as always, trust you ladies for advice. Has your doc said anything about back sleeping? Is there a certain amount of time it's okay (for example, I wake up and read or play on my phone for half an hour- can I be on my back)? What exactly constitutes laying on your back - flat? Slightly rolled over (I may or may not have shoved a teddy bear under my lower back yesterday to give a little elevation)? Partially sitting up?

wifeinraleigh28

@byrneme Laying on your back (for an extended period of time) is really only an issue after 20 weeks. And you will KNOW if it's a problem because you won't feel well. I still wake up on my back from time to time at 24 weeks but it's been fine. If you're really concerned or getting uncomfortable on your back, try sleeping with an extra pillow or 2 to prop yourself up more!

tvh1982

I've been told it's not a problem @byrnene.
It all depends on size, shape and weight of your uterus. 
Your uterus might press on a vain that gives blood supply from lower body to your heart, so you might feel a little dizzy when waking up. If that eventually happens (doesn't have to happen) you could sleep propped up on a pillow to lay a little higher.
No harm to your baby, but that's what I've been told by my midwife.
Sleeping on your tummy doesn't do harm either.
Best is left side for blood supply.
But all the advice on how to sleep is theoretical, my midwife said the best position is where the mother is comfortable in. I slept on my tummy almost for a whole 9 months..it just got 'pushed' more to the side over time.

teebric

I'm a back sleeper too, but from about 20 weeks onward I found it uncomfortable to sleep on my back. I now sleep on my side with a long pillow that goes under my back and supports my back and tummy. Sometimes I'll still sleep for a bit on my back but I'm usually tilted to one side if that makes sense, not completely flat. Its hard to find a comfortable position these days... 

byrneme

Thanks, ladies! I'm glad to know it's more about my comfort/safety than the babies. And @teriulbricht , what you are saying makes COMPLETE sense - it's what I was doing with a stuffed animal vs. a pillow. Luckily we have a lot of extra pillows in our house and a friend offered me her big pregnancy pillow.

AandDM2014

@byrneme Big pregnancy pillows are the best! Since I got mine in October-ish I've only slept one night without it!

rmarble23

i was going to say my snoogle helps keep me on my side as i am a stomach sleeping but if i am wrapped around the snoogle i tend not to fully go there

nellin-2

Just reiterating what others have said, my midwife told me for most people it's fine until the last month or so when you get really heavy. But if you feel dizzy or sick and then your uterus is obviously pushing on that vein and you need to modify your sleeping position.
Don't stress too much, as long as you feel alright the important thing is to get as much sleep as possible (I say after the worst sleep of my whole pregnancy - sudden onset of hip pain. I'm not a fan!). 

teebric

Maybe it was a night for it @Nellin ? I also had the worst sleep of my life.. but back pain for me! Here's hoping tonight's sleep is better for both of us! 

clt2pwm11

It's funny, even when I first got pregnant, I couldn't sleep on anything but my left side. Of I slept on my back (preferred position), my stomach hurt, and if I slap on my right side. I woke up absolutely STARVING thirty minutes after falling asleep. Now post partum, I can only  sleep on my right side. My incision makes me so hard to sleep even 3 weeks out! I would reiterated what everyone else said: I highly recommend a good body pillow!

Update on baby bear: He made it through the surgery fine. Everything looks good. They did try to take his breathing tube away too quickly, and poor guy struggled a lot the day after the surgery. They ended up reinserting the tube 2 hours after they had removed it. But yesterday they started to wean him slowly on the ventilator, and he had a good day and a good night. He keeps creeping down on his oxygen levels on the machine and even was breathing a little room air there for awhile. He also has been a lot more alert and calm during his care times. Praise God! I know we aren't out of the woods yet, but we are at least on the right trail.

2legbaby

Great news @clt2pwm11! Such a big step in his recovery! 

wifeinraleigh28

So happy to read this @clt2pwm11! You're a little bit closer to bringing him home

dragonfaerie

@clt2pwm11 That is so great to hear!! With my incision, I tucked a folded towel under my belly and that helped me sleep more comfortably on my side. It's amazing how long it takes to feel normal!

tvh1982

Wonderful news @clt2pwm11! 

byrneme

@clt2pwm11 I am SO happy to see this update! 

babylonghorn16

@clt2pwm11 so great! Love happy updates . Hope they keep comin!!!

mjacks16

@clt2pwm11 Glad to hear that the surgery went well! Hope he keeps progressing and getting better. 

JWatt5

@clt2pwm11 - glad to hear your little one is on the right track!!! 

teebric

So glad to hear the update @clt2pwm11 sending all the positive vibes your way

nellin-2

clt2pwm11 So glad to hear good news from your little family! 

ADRIANAC1982

Good morning ladies!!

Yes im still around and by the grace of God very much still pregnant

dragonfaerie

@ADRIANAC1982 So SO glad to hear from you! 

BlueEyedDreamer

@ADRIANAC1982 So good to hear that you and your baby are doing well! We've been thinking about you and hoping to hear good news! 

ADRIANAC1982

Darnit! My post got cut off! Ill repost! Thank you @dragonfaerie and @BlueEyedDreamer l

ADRIANAC1982

Ugh its not posting!! ill try again in a little bit 

babylonghorn16

@ADRIANAC1982 ugh the bump app needs to get it together. So amazing to hear from you!!! Been thinking about you a lot! Can't wait for your full update!!

ADRIANAC1982

it isnt working sorry ladies 

wifeinraleigh28

@ADRIANAC1982 I'm so glad you're doing well! I was so worried that we hadn't heard from you in so long!!! I wish we were all FB friends so we could keep in touch!

ADRIANAC1982

@wifeinraleigh28 im def still around! The hospital stay has been uneventful so not much to update! 

But i felt getting to 30 weeks was a big milestone and wanted to share. When i hobble over to my laptop ill send you a PM bc im just using my phone right now

wifeinraleigh28

@ADRIANAC1982 Sending you a PM now!

tvh1982

You made me so glad by posting a 'hello', you've been on my mind a lot @adrianac1982! Keep going!

2legbaby

Yay @ADRIANAC1982! So good to hear from you and congrats on 30 weeks!!

ADRIANAC1982

Thank you everyone!! Sorry ive been slacking but now I only have u/s every 4 weeks so its been uneventful! Baby Chadwell is doing well and we are very hopeful for things to come

byrneme

@ADRIANAC1982 it is SO great to hear that !!

Griffin5413

@ADRIANAC1982 - so glad to hear you and your little miracle baby are doing so well!!!

kdanjou

@ADRIANAC1982 Glad to hear that all is well.

cato99

Chiming in with my delight at hearing from you @ADRIANAC1982! This is wonderful news!