My hips are killing me!!

madisonrr21

Help! I just learned that I’m not supposed to be sleeping on my back. I’m 15 weeks, 4 days and have been trying to adjust to side sleeping only. I naturally am a side sleeper, but ever since I stopped switching to my back, my hips are killing me. I have a pregnancy pillow, but it’s too bulky and doesn’t help. I ordered a smaller one today. 

Any advice?! My hips are aching from the pressure and laying on them for too long. 

allieowl

I've read a few different things about sleeping, and I'm not sure what I should be concerned about (apparently your body won't let you stay sleeping in a manner that's bad for you/baby.... But also try to only sleep on your left side?) I sleep on all my sides and this left only thing is tough. I also like to fall asleep on my belly, even though I'm only on it for about a half hour. 

The hip cramping is hitting me hard right now. I just hit 16 weeks and I go through bouts of 10-60min of cramping where it feels like my hips are being pushed apart. (I guess cause they are 🤔). If hubby is around or awake he massages my lower back, but often the worst is between 2 and 4 am 😭

I've recently picked up a magnesium spray, but please let me know if anyone else has some good pain relief tips. 

lizzzy217

The back sleeping thing is sort of a myth. There is a major artery that can become constricted if you sleep on your back for too long which would reduce blood flow to your baby, but that is usually a concern when you're belly is bigger, after maybe 20wk+ or so, and only if you're sleeping completely flat on your back the entire night without moving at all. Even then, the data showing that it's harmful is limited. And honestly, you'll probably start feeling uncomfortable and adjust naturally at that point while you're sleeping anyway.

Despite that, I know we all try to do the best for our babies while we're pregnant, so trying to not sleep on your back is probably a worthwhile sacrifice in the off-chance that it could cause issues. Sleeping on your left side is supposed to be best for blood flow, which is why you'll see it recommended so much, but sleeping on either side is okay. And you can also put a small pillow on one side of your back, so if you do end up rolling onto your back during the night you'll still be at a slight tilt and that'll take pressure off that artery.

The most important thing is just that you're comfortable while you're sleeping! Getting adequate sleep is more important for the growth of your baby than stressing out about which specific position you're sleeping in. Good luck, I hope this helps and I hope you're able to relieve some of your pain and get some better sleep

mitchip

I’m usually a side sleeper but now it seems I keep rolling into my back. 

My doc said it’s fine and you’ll know if it’s affecting the artery. 

I did get a pregnancy pillow and it helps keep me at a side angle with the bottom part curled up between knees and thighs (I got one that isn’t a U it kinda goes all the way around) and I’m finding it really comfy and easy on my hips. 

I got my first pregnancy massage today and it was amazing!! He did give me some tips on what areas should not be massaged because there’s a small chance they can trigger contractions: the muscles under your thumb, angles and middle lower back. He avoided all of these areas and told me not to get hand massages when I get my manicures anymore 
🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m a ftm so I eat all these things up. 

cornichonmam

It's the vena cava that gets compressed. I can assure you it very much is a thing. But it doesn't effect everyone. 

I was affected by it in my previous two pregnancies and very quickly I would start feeling off. Towards the end it would take under a minute. I'd feel weird, my pulse would change and my could feel my heart really thumping and working hard.

Despite this almost any angle off dead flat was fine. So I would put a feather pillow behind my back so I could mould it into a wedge shape. 

If you feel fine I wouldn't worry too much about it. Worry wise I think it's actually easier if you are affected because I knew when it was and wasn't an issue.

Towards the end of your pregnancy sleeping on your left is helpful for getting baby into a good position for birth. Because you're in it for so long, gravity will pull them down into lying down your left side. And of all the spinning babies stuff definitely the easiest thing to do.