How bad is it?

MelissaRae1525 · September 2012

That I still lay on my back to fall asleep? I never wake up on my back, it's just the ONLY way I can fall asleep. I tried putting a pillow between my legs but that didn't help. I don't want to do anything that would hurt the baby but I would never fall asleep if I couldn't lay on my back. I dread the day that I'm too big to lay on my back.

laurapacheco · September 2012

My doc told me that you'll know when the time is right to stop because it won't be comfortable for you anymore, but that she encourages her patients to start trying to sleep on their sides around 24 weeks... so I think you still have time.

I can fall asleep on my side most of the time but still often wake up on my back (or as on my back at the Snoogle pillow will allow, LOL), but at this point I think it's NBD. GL!

littlemaybaby · September 2012

Almost everything I've heard (including from my previous OB and current MWs) says that you will get uncomfortable and shift positions before there is a chance of any major blood flow being disrupted. Of course, if you can get comfortable in another position, it's recommended. But don't super stress out about it if you can't.

One thing I do, since I'm also a back sleeper, is use a pregnancy wedge (supposed to be to support your tummy when you are on your side), and put it under one side of my back - so I'm just a little bit angled instead of being completely flat.

mrsodonnell12 · September 2012

I am the same way. From what I have read about it and what my MW has told me it sounds like its NBD.

BLPL101 · September 2012

At this point we aren't supposed to be laying on our back, but I honestly don't think it's a big deal if we do. I fall asleep on my side, but wake up on my back all the time.

brianabrad · September 2012

I do my best to fall asleep in other positions but sometimes it just doesn't work. I have noticed over the last week that when I do sleep on my back I wake up with more lower back pain than I would have previously. I can only assume its due to baby weight pressing down on my spine more than she did previously.

I also find that laying on my right side is way more comfortable than laying on my left.

moonglow_84 · September 2012

Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

sbevmc09 · September 2012

mrsodonnell12:
I am the same way. From what I have read about it and what my MW has told me it sounds like its NBD.

Agreed. I think your body will let you know if you shouldn't be doing it.

littlemaybaby · September 2012

moonglow_84:
Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

Prolonged time flat on your back without moving can cut off blood flow to some major arteries that flow to both your legs and the placenta. Again, general consensus is that you will experience discomfort and shift positions before any true problems occur, it's just something to be aware of.

(But it does raise all sorts of issues for me as to why hospitals expect women to labor flat on their backs hooked up to machines for hours and hours and hours on end - without being able to move around . . . but that's a whole different soap box.)

mrsodonnell12 · September 2012

littlemaybaby:

moonglow_84:
Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

Prolonged time flat on your back without moving can cut off blood flow to some major arteries that flow to both your legs and the placenta. Again, general consensus is that you will experience discomfort and shift positions before any true problems occur, it's just something to be aware of.

(But it does raise all sorts of issues for me as to why hospitals expect women to labor flat on their backs hooked up to machines for hours and hours and hours on end - without being able to move around . . . but that's a whole different soap box.)

I have often wondered that too.....

Oriam · September 2012

I can fall asleep on my side but the problem is I tosh and turn because each side gets sore eventually! Last night I gave in sorta side slept on my back because I couldn't take it anymore.

sbevmc09 · September 2012

mrsodonnell12:
littlemaybaby:

moonglow_84:
Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

Prolonged time flat on your back without moving can cut off blood flow to some major arteries that flow to both your legs and the placenta. Again, general consensus is that you will experience discomfort and shift positions before any true problems occur, it's just something to be aware of.

(But it does raise all sorts of issues for me as to why hospitals expect women to labor flat on their backs hooked up to machines for hours and hours and hours on end - without being able to move around . . . but that's a whole different soap box.)

I have often wondered that too.....

True story. Oh wait, it's because they don't practice evidence based medicine. Angry

hansonam446 · September 2012

I'm a back-sleeper also. I wedge a body pillow under my right side so that I'm tilted left but still kind of on my back. Usually if I'm flat on my back I wake up because my arms fell asleep.

Wild_flower25 · September 2012

its fine. Its not that it hurts the baby, its more bad for the mother. Its just that when your belly gets heavier it blocks off a major artery that might make you feel icky or dizzy. When you feel that, just roll over.

MelissaRae1525 · September 2012

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I haven't gone numb yet or been uncomfortable but I know the day is coming when I won't be able to sleep that way anymore.

mz07 · September 2012

sbevmc09:
mrsodonnell12:
littlemaybaby:

moonglow_84:
Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

Prolonged time flat on your back without moving can cut off blood flow to some major arteries that flow to both your legs and the placenta. Again, general consensus is that you will experience discomfort and shift positions before any true problems occur, it's just something to be aware of.

(But it does raise all sorts of issues for me as to why hospitals expect women to labor flat on their backs hooked up to machines for hours and hours and hours on end - without being able to move around . . . but that's a whole different soap box.)

I have often wondered that too.....

True story. Oh wait, it's because they don't practice evidence based medicine.

Ina May senses a disturbance in the force...

mest1215 · September 2012

Im with ya...the only way i can fall asleep in on my back. But i move a lot in my sleep, so im not too worried. I almost always wake up on my side.

zonagirlie · September 2012

I found a great way to back sleep. Put a pile of pillows behind you, kind of at an incline, then get situated with a smaller pillow behind your head. Once you're comfy, tuck a pillow under your knees to keep you kind of bent.

You are keeping baby off your spine and those pesky blood flow issues shouldn't be a problem, and you are supporting your back and neck I've been sleeping pretty well like this!

zonagirlie · September 2012

mrsodonnell12:
littlemaybaby:

moonglow_84:
Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

Prolonged time flat on your back without moving can cut off blood flow to some major arteries that flow to both your legs and the placenta. Again, general consensus is that you will experience discomfort and shift positions before any true problems occur, it's just something to be aware of.

(But it does raise all sorts of issues for me as to why hospitals expect women to labor flat on their backs hooked up to machines for hours and hours and hours on end - without being able to move around . . . but that's a whole different soap box.)

I have often wondered that too.....

Well, if they have their way, you won't be there for hours. They'll pump you full of drugs and get you delivered or into surgery and on your way. <insert eyeroll here>

Yes, I'm being bitchyy on purpose.

littlemaybaby · September 2012

zonagirlie:
mrsodonnell12:
littlemaybaby:

moonglow_84:
Whoa I didn't even know this was a thing! My doc has never mentioned my sleeping position as a problem. She told me that lying on my left side will help with heartburn and digestion but never said it was an issue to sleep any other way. I sleep on my back almost every night, and last night I even slept on my stomach for a while. I will have to look into this more.

Prolonged time flat on your back without moving can cut off blood flow to some major arteries that flow to both your legs and the placenta. Again, general consensus is that you will experience discomfort and shift positions before any true problems occur, it's just something to be aware of.

(But it does raise all sorts of issues for me as to why hospitals expect women to labor flat on their backs hooked up to machines for hours and hours and hours on end - without being able to move around . . . but that's a whole different soap box.)

I have often wondered that too.....
Well, if they have their way, you won't be there for hours. They'll pump you full of drugs and get you delivered or into surgery and on your way. <insert eyeroll here>
Yes, I'm being bitchyy on purpose.

I like bitchy today!

But seriously, let's think about it. We freak women out at 20 weeks pregnant - when their babies weigh less than a pound, "DO NOT SLEEP ON YOUR BACK ANYMORE." Then magically at 40 weeks with 7-8lb babies, it's TOTALLY fine to be immobilized, unable to even use your legs (if you have an epidural), and flat out for 12-24 hours. (Although I suppose you are right, if it takes that long, you are generally well on your way to major abdominal surgery by then.)

this decaf life · September 2012

I can't do it anymore because it makes me uncomfortable and my arms go numb. I think you'll get a similar feeling when you aren't meant to sleep on your back anymore!

SPK926 · September 2012

Like everyone has said, you'll know when it's no longer safe or comfortable! I still sleep on my stomach some nights (I toss and turn) and I have a definite bump. It's still comfortable to me and my Dr. said it was totally fine as long as I was comfortable. As soon as it's not comfortable for me then that's when I should stop (stomach and back sleeping).

sugaplumx27 · September 2012

it will become unbearably uncomfortable for you to lay that way before it does any remote harm to your baby. if its still comfortable, and since you arent staying on your back all night, (midsleep your bodys probably telling you to roll over) then no its not bad at all.

you would know when its bad, you;d be in pain, start feeling light headed, and just very uncomfy. just listen to your body, try putting a pillow behind you and leaning your back on it, so your not completely on your side!

Smwainscott · September 2012

I am the opposite, I fall asleep on my side and wake up on my back constantly. I hope that my body starts to realize its not good for me in the end. I am sure it will, just makes me worried.

erkie · September 2012

MelissaRae1525:
Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I haven't gone numb yet or been uncomfortable but I know the day is coming when I won't be able to sleep that way anymore.

I think its different for everyone and you might last for quite awhile. I still can lay on my back with no problem and my neighbor slept on her back throughout her whole pregnancy. My OB said it really isn't a problem and isn't based on evidence, just like the idea of not raising your core body temp in pregnancy.

brittandjp · September 2012

I still fall asleep on my back every night, but I always wake up and switch back and forth between my sides in between bathroom breaks! Like PPs said, we will reach a point that it's no longer comfortable. I'm not excited for this, as I'm already sick of sleeping on my sides!

stardust317 · September 2012

When I was late in my pregnancy with DD, I woke up on my back a few times. I was always sweaty and very flushed with a pounding heart. You'll know when it's time.

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