How bad is it really to lie on your back???

dianah36 · May 2009

So, I'm just wondering how bad it really is to sleep on your back? Does it matter how far along you are? I ask because I switch from side to side all night (not sleeping well) but sometime I still wake up on my back in the morning and it's freaking me out. Thoughts?

edbetsy1 · May 2009

It's really hard not to sleep on your back. I sleep on my left side but once in a while I find myself on my back. My dr told me if you can avoid doing it then do so, the weight from your uterus and the baby puts major pressure on your back. It's hard to get comfortable, I have a body pillow and it seems to be ok.

Temp159135562506975 · May 2009

it might make YOU pass out- it's not that it's bad for babies- other than you passing out

your body will tell you if it can't handle it and you'll turn. My OB told me not to worry about it - even with twins- that it was more important that I GET sleep- and not worry about how i'm sleeping.

I keep pillows really close to me on both sides so if I do roll to my back i'm still propped up on one side- so i'm sort of on an angle on my back- which is fine- that is how the nurses would position in me in the hospital with my last pg.

I almost passed out at my last US b/c i had to lay totally flat for too long... it was the first time that happened to me.

robynlesley · May 2009

I almost passed out at my 20 week anatomy ultrasound... I couldn't sleep on my back now! But, luckily, I was a side sleeper before I got pregnant. And I still sleep on my right side most of the time, since I find it really hard to fall asleep on my left.

Julias_mom · May 2009

I just asked my doctor and she said not to fall asleep on my back, but it's okay if I'm waking up on my back. ?She said there's the threat of cutting off circulation from my lower half. ?She also said even lying slightly on my my side is better than completely on my back so if you can prop a pillow behind you when you're on your side you can help not roll over.

pahokie · May 2009

My doc said it is not that big a deal. I fall asleep on my side/stomach, but sometimes wake up on my back.

Peppernut · May 2009

My doctor hasn't told me anything either way, but I notice that if I spend too long on my back my legs fall asleep.

Jens38 · May 2009

I feel physically ill if I lay on my back but to save my left hip which gets sore after awhile, I kind of half and half it. I prop some pillows underneath me which allows me to roll back a bit but not all the way so I am sort of twisted at the waist.

dianah36 · May 2009

Thanks for the info!!!!

fiazo · May 2009

Good question. I was wondering the same thing, that & about lieing on your right side. lately my husband rolls me over when he finds me on my back or right side. I too use many pillows, but it's sucha a pain when you have to get up every 2 hours to pee & then have to reposition. I have no idea how he can even sleep with my restlessness. Sometimes I wake up & can't fall back asleep & I just can't wait until moring because my body is sore from sleeping.

I also don't know if I have an ear infection in left ear or is it just hurting from being on my left so long.

Kandie35 · May 2009

My understanding is that after 16 weeks, laying on your back runs the risk of your uterus putting too much pressure on your vena cava. I think you will know if that is the case with you. I know that I cannot even lean on the back of the sofa without feeling like I can't breathe (baby is nowhere near my lungs so I assume it is pressure from my uterus). I cannot even think about laying on my back because it is so uncomfortable. I think that if you wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning and find yourself on your back and you feel okay, then don't sweat it.

mistirei915 · May 2009

I agree with all the PP-I will often sleep semi sitting up, instead of flat on my back, so that seems to help.

I also get ear aches, and was told it is because of me deviated septum, but once I gave birth, they went away...

NewMrs07 · May 2009

I start sleeping on my left side and always wake up a couple of times during the night and find out I'm on my back. I don't feel out of breath or dizzy yet, nothing feels different except I'm more comfortable on my back than my side. But I'm trying to be good and get used to sleeping on my side, b/c I know it will be necessary soon. That's one thing I miss about my pre-pregnancy days, being able to sleep on my back and my belly. I just can't get truly comfortable on my side, even with a body pillow.

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