Layin on your back

Blackfire12 · July 2012

Alright so I need a lil help. I've looked on google and just everywhere I swear.

Why is it bad to lay on you're back during regnancy? I've read one site says it can cut off the circulation to your legs, another that it's fine up till like a later week. X.x So what is it? Thanks in advanced<3

laurapacheco · July 2012

I actually just asked about this at my OB appointment this morning (I am an avid back sleeper) and she said the following:

1. It tends to not be an issue until after 20-24 weeks.

2. You will be able to tell when it's become a problem because you'll have a harder time breathing when lying on your back.

3. It's optimal to sleep on your left side for maximum circulation. Lying on your back once you get bigger (24+ weeks) can reduce blood flow to various parts of the body because of the size/weight of the uterus pushing down.

4. However, if you wake up on your back, it's not the end of the world.

Hope this helps! GL

SanDimasMama · July 2012

I also cannot figure out if this applies to my soft mattress or just for doing floor exercises (on a much firmer surface). I find it very relaxing to lie down on m bed on my back, I usually fall asleep this way then roll to my side.

hansonam446 · July 2012

laurapacheco:
I actually just asked about this at my OB appointment this morning (I am an avid back sleeper) and she said the following:
1. It tends to not be an issue until after 20-24 weeks.
2. You will be able to tell when it's become a problem because you'll have a harder time breathing when lying on your back.
3. It's optimal to sleep on your left side for maximum circulation. Lying on your back once you get bigger (24+ weeks) can reduce blood flow to various parts of the body because of the size/weight of the uterus pushing down.
4. However, if you wake up on your back, it's not the end of the world.
Hope this helps! GL

This made me feel better. I always wake up on my back and then think I'm choking or suffocating my baby somehow. My back is so comfortable!

BLPL101 · July 2012

I have been trying to lay on my side, but I wake up multiple times in the middle of the night on my back. I NEVER used to sleep on my back before I was pregnant so it's strange that I do it now. I scared that I'm harming the baby!

Blackfire12 · July 2012

Alright thanks a ton.

I find my back has been the most comfortable since becoming pregnant, before I mostly slept on my side. I just didn't want to hurt the baby cuz a lil while ago someone mentioned layin on your back could cut circulation off to the baby.

pghctwife · July 2012

Ditto laura.

If it is a problem (and it may not be one for you) your body will tell you.

FWIW I slept on my back through my entire first pregnancy. I couldnt sleep on my sides because it aggravated my heartburn (and throwing up isnt conducive to a good night's sleep ). My son was fine

MangomamaFL · July 2012

Laying on your back can compress your vena cava. Vena cava is a vein that follows along your spine that brings blood from your legs back to your heart. This can affect circulation though your body (which includes blood flow towards your uterus).

https://drlindagalloway.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/dr-linda-cares-should-pregnant-women-sleep-on-their-left-side/

https://www.babycenter.com/406_is-it-safe-to-sleep-on-my-back-during-pregnancy_1245287.bc

Kie310 · July 2012

My OB has told me it's fine. If my body thinks I shouldn't it will let me know.

spartyparty · July 2012

I try to stay on my side, but even with a snoogle I've woken up on my back and find that my hand or leg on one side of my body has gone kind of numb- I'm thinking that is why I shouldn't be on my back... But it's so hard to avoid sometimes.

jobiann · July 2012

laurapacheco:
I actually just asked about this at my OB appointment this morning (I am an avid back sleeper) and she said the following:
1. It tends to not be an issue until after 20-24 weeks.
2. You will be able to tell when it's become a problem because you'll have a harder time breathing when lying on your back.
3. It's optimal to sleep on your left side for maximum circulation. Lying on your back once you get bigger (24+ weeks) can reduce blood flow to various parts of the body because of the size/weight of the uterus pushing down.
4. However, if you wake up on your back, it's not the end of the world.
Hope this helps! GL

Exactly all of this, I was sleeping on my side every night and my hips got all out of joint so I asked my doctor and he said you can sleep on your back as long as you are comfortable. When the baby is larger you may wake up with tingling in your fingers and feel lightheaded but that was your body's way of telling you, "hey wake up and switch to your side!".

misscarter87 · July 2012

Yikes i've been wondering the same thing i will try to sleep on my left side more i will be 20wks in just 3wks from now so i'm gonna have to get used to sleeping on my left side! i am a stomach sleeper so that hard to break but i am trying!

Wild_flower25 · July 2012

Don't worry about it. Your body will tell you when its time to roll over. Its not going to hurt the baby, it will get uncomfortable for you before that happens.

Wild_flower25 · July 2012

This made me feel better. I always wake up on my back and then think I'm choking or suffocating my baby somehow. My back is so comfortable!

The baby is not breathing yet, you cannot choke or suffocate them.

nattn · July 2012

My doctor doesn't worry about it until after 20 weeks. She said not to panic if I wake up on my back, but to really avoid sleeping on my back. She recommended that I put a pillow under my back if I continually wake up on my back later in pregnancy.

Just so everyone knows, your body may or may not tell you if it's a problem. My mom's cousin laid on her back (she had recently been in a car accendent) while pregnant and had no idea she was completely cutting off circulation to her uterus. She not only lost the baby, but was unable to have children from the damage done to her uterus. It was very traumatic and she completely blamed herself.

I don't think it's a common problem at all, but it is possible. Just be aware.

Magenta728 · July 2012

Pgh-CTBride:

Ditto laura.

If it is a problem (and it may not be one for you) your body will tell you.

This. My OB told me that my body will tell me if I need to adjust. He said not to worry about it, and to sleep however I can sleep.

hansonam446 · July 2012

Wild_flower25:

This made me feel better. I always wake up on my back and then think I'm choking or suffocating my baby somehow. My back is so comfortable!

The baby is not breathing yet, you cannot choke or suffocate them.

I don't mean this literally. I meant in the sense of cutting off blood flow to them or something. I've taken a sex ed class, I know there's no oxygen in there.

nadja1121 · July 2012

laurapacheco:

I actually just asked about this at my OB appointment this morning (I am an avid back sleeper) and she said the following:

1. It tends to not be an issue until after 20-24 weeks.

2. You will be able to tell when it's become a problem because you'll have a harder time breathing when lying on your back.

3. It's optimal to sleep on your left side for maximum circulation. Lying on your back once you get bigger (24+ weeks) can reduce blood flow to various parts of the body because of the size/weight of the uterus pushing down.

4. However, if you wake up on your back, it's not the end of the world.

Hope this helps! GL

Thanks for this! I have never been a back sleeper, but have been finding it to be the most comfortable position. Hopefully I can change that back to being on my sides.

URMySunshine77 · July 2012

laurapacheco:
I actually just asked about this at my OB appointment this morning (I am an avid back sleeper) and she said the following:
1. It tends to not be an issue until after 20-24 weeks.
2. You will be able to tell when it's become a problem because you'll have a harder time breathing when lying on your back.
3. It's optimal to sleep on your left side for maximum circulation. Lying on your back once you get bigger (24+ weeks) can reduce blood flow to various parts of the body because of the size/weight of the uterus pushing down.
4. However, if you wake up on your back, it's not the end of the world.
Hope this helps! GL

Thanks Laura and everyone who chimed in. I've also been wondering about when to start sleeping on my side. Looks like I have another month and a half, thank goodness.

Layin on your back

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