Dumb question/poll, I know... (Back sleeping)

MamaFantastic · December 2013

Let me preface this by saying I'm not worried... more just curious to see what others think/experience at this stage.

I'll be 23 weeks tomorrow. I LOVE sleeping on my back. Side sleeping was a begrudging necessity in the back half of my first pregnancy. I'm kind of blissfully ignoring the no-back-sleeping-after-20-weeks rule right now. I don't get limb numbness yet either, but I remember what it felt like from before, and I won't ignore it once it starts happening.

So WWYD? Suck it up and avoid back sleeping now? Let it go until it's evident I should stop?

Karianne02 · December 2013

I'm the idiot FTM who didn't even know there is a no back sleeping rule! Geeeez! I'm still struggling to not sleep on my stomach. Now I can't sleep on my back either?! ... This is why I'm up at 1:00am when my alarm will go off at 5:00. ... On the bright side, I guess I'm practicing for the lack of sleep I'll get once baby arrives!

nessabeers · December 2013

I am having the same problem! I usually go to sleep on my side but always end up on my back. I have lots of pillows around like behind my back and shoulders as well as under or between legs so maybe I'm elevated enough? I just seem to sleep better on my back. I know side sleeping is better but at this point by body seems to handle it just fine no dizzy or numb feelings.

I'm curious to see if it's bothered anyone or is as big as a deal as they say.

pannk · December 2013

I'm a tummy sleeper, but I've been sleeping on my side and back (with the help of the snoogle). I'm just going to keep doing it as long as it's comfortable. I think that's the general rule of thumb for any sleeping position? As long as you are comfortable and aren't getting numb.

BiggerinRealLife · December 2013

Either way I don't feel like I can help it. I usually move while sleeping as it is, and ever since I started sleeping with a body pillow I start on my side then wake up on my back. Hoping that when the new big bed gets here I can get one of those surrounding pregnancy pillows and it won't be an issue. I love sleeping on my back, but it's getting dang uncomfortable!

lilmama412 · December 2013

Karianne02 said:
I'm the idiot FTM who didn't even know there is a no back sleeping rule! Geeeez! I'm still struggling to not sleep on my stomach. Now I can't sleep on my back either?! ... This is why I'm up at 1:00am when my alarm will go off at 5:00. ... On the bright side, I guess I'm practicing for the lack of sleep I'll get once baby arrives!

You are allowed to sleep on your stomach! I have to sleep on my stomach, nothing else is comfortable to me. I asked my doc about this last time and she said that you are allowed to for as long as you can. There will be a time that you physically can't anymore. But the baby is so snug in there you won't hurt it by sleeping on your tummy, it will just become too uncomfortable at some point. I was able to until about 30 weeks or more last time.

I never sleep on my back, but the last couple of weeks I have been waking up on my back. I just roll back to my stomach when I wake up.

Bluebird2318 · December 2013

I am a back sleeper normally but I am sticking to left side sleeping for the pregnancy because it just makes me feel better re: my pre-e risk due to increased bloodflow to the placenta and baby. With DD I swapped back to back sleeping at 26-27 weeks and even though I know it isn't completely logical I always wonder if the back sleeping tipped me in the wrong direction. (Pre-e started getting bad at 28 weeks, delivered at 29.) Probably silly of me to think that way, but admittedly I do.

(

patunia7321 · December 2013

I'm 22 weeks.I was just telling DH yesterday that I have to ask the doc about this laying on the back business. I move around a lot when I sleep & when I lay on the couch/watch tv/ bump via iPad I'm comfy on my back. I figured when it starts to get uncomfortable I won't do it anymore, is there a different reason for the 20 week rule? I kind of just rely on my body to tell me yay or nay...

Sarahjess06 · December 2013

I didn't know about this rule? Why can't I sleep on my back?

I just lay however I'm comfortable.

Nijay714 · December 2013

I've become a back sleeper, it's the most comfy position.. Does it help or make a difference with circulation if you sleep elevated on more pillows on your back?

mrscrcalli · December 2013

I didn't know this rule either

on my back is where I'm most comfortable. I don't like this news!

Bluebird2318 · December 2013

Part of it is discomfort and difficulty breathing as you get bigger and part of it is that the weight of your uterus presses down on an artery and decreases blood flow. Supposedly propping yourself up with some pillows helps, but the "best" position is on your left side. (Maximizes blood flow and nutrients to baby.)

ksulli · December 2013

I'm 22w and laying in my back just makes me feel funky and has for a few weeks already, so I don't sleep that way because I don't feel well. Otherwise I would.

NicoleAnne416 · December 2013

I sleep on my side/stomach aka I squish the side of my belly to be as close to on my stomach as I can sometimes, I will end up on my back but it wakes me up, therefore I'm not worried, I just roll over. My hands go numb once in awhile so I just switch positions. I've had to do this for a few weeks at least. I had a filling done last week and they had to use a pillow behind my back to get me more upright with my head still back level

I get short of breath flat on my back.

sarahbeth27 · December 2013

MamaFantastic said:

Let me preface this by saying I'm not worried... more just curious to see what others think/experience at this stage. I'll be 23 weeks tomorrow. I LOVE sleeping on my back. Side sleeping was a begrudging necessity in the back half of my first pregnancy. I'm kind of blissfully ignoring the no-back-sleeping-after-20-weeks rule right now. I don't get limb numbness yet either, but I remember what it felt like from before, and I won't ignore it once it starts happening. So WWYD? Suck it up and avoid back sleeping now? Let it go until it's evident I should stop?

This. Listen to your body. I still sleep on my belly a lot (19w) and will until I absolutely can't anymore!

WifeofaComposer · December 2013

I'm a back sleeper, but for the past 3 weeks, I can't breathe when I'm on my back. I can't sleep on my left side because I have GERD, and the pressure on my stomach forces vomit and acid up my esophagus and I wind up choking on it. I sleep only on my right side with my husband spooning me so I can't roll onto my back.

Mrs.Kohalic17 · December 2013

I'm a back sleeper but have had issues with my right hand going numb that it's really painful. So much that it wakes me up

so I've been trying to always be on one of my sides.

sking72 · December 2013

I've been trying to sleep on my side, wake up on my back a lot. And a lot of times (back or side) my arms and hands are numb. not sure what to do about that

NYJodway · December 2013

I'm glad this thread was posted. I've been wondering how much of a big deal it will be if I keep waking up on my back sometimes in spite of intentionally falling asleep on my side.

I've also been wondering about falling asleep in a recliner, or in a semi-upright position on a sofa. Is the pressure on the inferior vena cava still problematic if you're not totally lying down on your back? Does it even matter, since you're only asleep for like 30-60 minutes anyway (I'm talking about unexpected naps that sneak up on me when I'm just relaxing).

I'm glad to read the post that said that if you wake up on your back, not to worry about it. That makes me feel a little better about what's happening with me at night.

KatieGummow · December 2013

I imagine you can do it until it feels uncomfortable. I can't lay on my back any more because it makes my stomach hurt. I am able to on the couch if I am elevated for like 10 min. So I imagine your body will tell you when to stop, as well!

smashton14th · December 2013

Last pregnancy my doctor told me to sleep on my side but if i wake up on my back not to freak out just go back to my side position. I will be following the same rule this time around. I guess i am just a rule follower.

newter135 · December 2013

I try to sleep on my side but find that I roll on my back anyways even with the snoogle. On another note, does anyone get ear pain sleeping on their side? Not like inside the ear but the actual cartilage on the outside? It aches so bad it wakes me up, that and the pins and needles in my arm...

Mrs.Kohalic17 · December 2013

newter135 said:

I try to sleep on my side but find that I roll on my back anyways even with the snoogle. On another note, does anyone get ear pain sleeping on their side? Not like inside the ear but the actual cartilage on the outside? It aches so bad it wakes me up, that and the pins and needles in my arm...

Yup I get that too, it hurts!! But I found that it was when I was laying on my hand instead of my pillow so now I just put my hand underneath it and it seemed to help.

TheatreStar86 · December 2013

I'm normally a back sleeper and my doc told me to keep it up until it's uncomfortable. It's probably been a month or two that I've been trying to sleep on my side and it's just not as comfortable. I have to say that I was miserable until I got my snoogle. That thing is annoying as hell in the middle of the night b/c it's ginormous, but at least I don't kick it off and at least I stay mostly off my back. I still catch myself on my back a bit, but not too much, and usually not directly.

snmetz7 · December 2013

i'd say listen to your body. it will be uncomfortable when it is no longer ok.

Stace0616 · December 2013

This makes me so happy someone is getting me a Snoogle for Christmas. I keep ending up on my stomach even with my pillow barricade because it's so easy to push the pillow off the bed. Then I wake up and my belly is sore.

I can't wait until baby is born to sleep on my stomach guilt free again! Here's hoping nothing dumb like a CS screws that plan up

avidkeo · December 2013

Your body is an amazing thing, and has lots of inbuilt warning systems.

Yes sleeping on your back can be problematic when you are further along, but you will naturally wake up and allow you to adjust your self, just like you do before getting pregnant and a hand or something else has gone to sleep. This process usually only takes minutes, so no damage can happen.

What happens is the Vena Cava gets compressed, stopping blood flow back to your heart IT DOES NOT STOP BLOOD FLOWING TO YOUR BABY!!!! All that happens is your legs may get a bit swollen, and cause a back up in bloodflow - this process takes more than several minutes. All that happens is you will wake up, and automatically roll onto your side because its uncomfortable.

Yes there are cases where worse things have happened, and yes it can cause serious conditions - but this happens when the mother has passed out - eg drugs/alcohol - and stopped their natural bodies responses - their body CANT wake them up to change position.

Ok, off my soap box now!!! Bottom line is if you are comfortable on your back, sleep on your back. When you are no longer comfortable, its your body telling you something is wrong, and you need to switch. I sleep on my back a lot, I usually go to sleep on my side, and wake up on my back. That's how I'm comfortable.

PS I miss sleeping on my tummy, its too uncomfortable now! I no longer even try, so depressing!

Haysgriff · December 2013

I can't seem to win either way. Pre pregnancy I was a tummy sleeper so its been difficult for me to adjust. I either wake up with a numb hip from sleeping on my side or a numb arm from accidentally shifting on to my back during the night! Either way I'm not getting much sleep

Gracie Randolph · December 2013

I stopped sleeping flat on my back at about 17 weeks. I'm having twins, so wanted to be safe early. I have the leg part of the boppy 3-piece pillow on each side..makes a world of difference!

myschlove · December 2013

Bluebird2318 said:

Part of it is discomfort and difficulty breathing as you get bigger and part of it is that the weight of your uterus presses down on an artery and decreases blood flow. Supposedly propping yourself up with some pillows helps, but the "best" position is on your left side. (Maximizes blood flow and nutrients to baby.)

This! Ive read before 20 weeks its not that big of a deal but now that we are all coming along its time to try side sleeping! it will eventually become the most comfortable position as you get big. if you're having award time, try putting pillows behind you on one side to tilt you over a little so you aren't flat on your back. pregnancy pillows can help as well! just try different things, if you wake up on your back, its ok, just move back to your side!

MissWhis · December 2013

ksulli said:
I'm 22w and laying in my back just makes me feel funky and has for a few weeks already, so I don't sleep that way because I don't feel well. Otherwise I would.

This.

Jennick602 · December 2013

I'm a tummy sleeper but only discovered this when I found out I was pregnant. When it hurts to sleep this way I'll try another way.

Momof8inSC · December 2013

I'm pg with babies 7&8.... I've never gone by a rule. Just what's comfy. And it has never been a problem. Do what u want here lol

Alycia Hause · December 2013

I'm having the hardest time sleeping on my side, it's SO uncomfortable for me. I'm not sleeping good lately because I'm trying to form the habit of side sleeping.

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