Is sleeping on your back really that bad?

MrsWallick · April 2014

Everything I read acts like you are depriving your baby of nutrients if you sleep on your back because of the position of the uterus and the vena cava (sp?). So now I can't sleep at night because I am a back sleeper and I keep rolling onto my back, despite the pillows trying to keep me on my side, and I'm waking up with complete anxiety that I am killing my baby.

Sleeping on the right side is a no go because everything hurts. Sleeping on the left side is better but kills my back because of my scoliosis. I keep trying to muscle through it and sleep on the left side but I'm soo uncomfortable and in pain. And ultimately end up rolling onto my back and then, cue freak out. What's better? Sleeping on my back and being comfortable or trying to stay on my left side? If back sleeping really is that bad, can anyone provide suggestions for staying on my side comfortably? Thank you ladies!

CaitNMatt · April 2014

Thank you for posting this.... I am having the exact same problem!! I also have moderate scoliosis and sleeping on my side is tough. I continue to roll on my back and in the morning I feel awful bc I'm afraid that I'm sleeping more on my back than my side! I'm looking forward to seeing what other people have to say. I need to check with my midwife but I forgot at my last appt.

2redtulips · April 2014

I am having this problem as well, although I don't have any conditions that make it painful. I just find myself rolling onto my back.

I guess a pillow between the knees is supposed to help signal your brain not to roll onto your back, even while sleeping. I haven't tried that yet.

Maybe propping up your head with extra pillows would help as well?

meli1025 · April 2014

I keep finding myself on my back lately too. From what I understand, if we were putting pressure on that nerve we would feel it before it could effect baby. Still, I quickly try and roll to my side when I wake up and catch myself on my back. Sorry this isn't very helpful, I'm in the same boat.

tbiscuit18 · April 2014

I'm glad you posted this! I have no idea of whether or not it is bad, but I've found that the bigger I've gotten the easier it is to sleep on my side. Mostly because it's easier to roll out of bed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. But I would find myself waking up on my back up until only a couple of weeks ago. I would suggest a pillow between the legs, that really helps me and pillows behind my back. My friend bought a pregnancy pillow and said it made a huge difference.

MrsWallick · April 2014

I'm sorry you all are having similar issues, but I'm glad to know I'm not just a crazy person haha. I have the Snoogle between my legs and try to hug it tight to keep from rolling also. Not working tho. I'm not sure if part of me is reaching for DH at night also. We were snugglers before pregnsncy and couldn't sleep without being tangled together. So cheesy, I know lol.

SA1112 · April 2014

Can you put a pillow under one side of your back so that you're tilted to one side? You're still technically on your back but I think that's better than laying flat on your back since it shifts the weight to one side rather than straight down on your vena cava. That's what I've been doing when I need a rest from side sleeping.

2redtulips · April 2014

SA1112 said:

Can you put a pillow under one side of your back so that you're tilted to one side? You're still technically on your back but I think that's better than laying flat on your back since it shifts the weight to one side rather than straight down on your vena cava. That's what I've been doing when I need a rest from side sleeping.

That's a good idea - maybe one of those wedge-shaped pillows?

CaitNMatt · April 2014

To add: I also sleep with a pillow between my legs but sometimes I think it's actually what is causing me to roll! It helps my back and sciatica but it sort of pushes me onto my back! I am going to try a pillow under my back tonight to see if it keeps me in one place.

[Deleted User] · April 2014

I just sleep how I sleep and don't worry about it. I'm taking it however I get it now since I know in less than 4 months I won't get any sleep at all. lol

mrsbtobe20122 · April 2014

My Snoogle keeps me from rolling over if I am in the small spoon position. Regular pillows do nothing for me. I am a belly sleeper normally. Also, being this large---sleeping on my back hurts after awhile and DOES wake me up because of lumbar pain.

Also, it isn't recommended to be flat on your back when you and baby are larger---do I think you're killing your baby by waking up on your back? No.

mtaylor404 · April 2014

My doctor said that if my belly is putting to much pressure on the vena cava I would roll on my own before it was ever a problem. She said to sleep however I am comfortable. At this point, I feel so large that being on my back is not comfortable, but I slept on my back many nights this pregnancy so far.

ksyknelvr73 · April 2014

I still have issues with this at 32 weeks....I wake up on my back often. A couple things that I do are try to wedge a pillow under one side so I am not totally flat, and also just use a bunch of pillows to "prop up" so I am just more reclined rather than lying flat. That is all I can think of!

doglover31 · April 2014

I wake up on my back often too. From what I understand your body would roll over on its own before it becomes an issue.

kathleensam · April 2014

Like PP, my doctor also told me that my body would recognize when I could no longer sleep on my back. I think it started happening around 23-24 weeks. By 27 I would never be comfortable enough to sleep on my back for very long, and I would wake myself up. Now at 39 it's laughable... I wouldn't be able to breathe and it is really uncomfortable.

SuperKim13 · April 2014

I had no idea that we shouldn't sleep on our back. World's worst mom right here...

I actually have a snoogle that keeps me mostly on my side - but I'm serious, I had no idea about the back thing.

luckyclover0922 · April 2014

When I was pregnant with our dear son I asked my doctor the same question. He told me not intentionally fall asleep that way but if I happen to roll on my back during my sleep if it was too much for me and the baby I would wake me up by my legs going numb and my fingers tingling. He said that usually never happens so not to worry about it.

SandSunBliss · April 2014

I have this issue too. I was told that sleep anyway I can get it is good. Always try to fall asleep on your side. And if you wake up on your back, go back to your side, but don't worry about being on your back too much. You would know.

Despite efforts and snoogle usage, I spend a fair amount of time on my back (I also lay and stare at baby kicking in the morning on my back

) and at our growth scan, baby was in the 70th percentile and perfect, so I don't think he/she is lacking nutrients.

I do often find myself in a position on the snoogle where I am angled and not flat on my back as pp suggested. Also, now at 31.5 weeks, I am sometimes more comfortable on my side (and most often not comfortable anywhere!)

ashx3renee · April 2014

I'm having the same problem! I'm normally a side sleeper so not being able to sleep on my back was never a problem up until recently. Now when I sleep on my sides my hips cramp soo bad I can't sleep at all. I plan on asking my doctor about it at our appt Monday, but everything Dr. Google has said pretty much repeats what other ladies have said.. that your body would warn you if sleeping on your back was an issue.

MrsWallick · April 2014

Thanks for all the responses! I'm feeling so much better about going to sleep tonight knowing that I don't need to freak out and can still try to be comfortable. I'm going to try another pillow to keep me a little more propped and not so much pressure on my back.

MollySm · April 2014

I'm late to the party, but also heard and read that your body will let you know if you've been on your back too long. It's much more comfortable to me sometimes (I miss sleeping on my belly!), but then after awhile my legs start to fall asleep or my back aches, and at that point I move. I wouldn't worry too much.

Serenla · April 2014

I find myself laying on my back quite frequently, only a few times have I noticed that it was uncomfortable, your body will tell you. I have found my snoogle to be a god send, I can use it for comfortable back support while sleeping.

amijmarquez · April 2014

I bought one of those wedge pillows during my first pregnancy and used it through my son's infancy for feedings. It helped me stay comfortable and allowed me to lay on my back at an angle when need be. Highly recommended

dragonfly711 · April 2014

I always sleep on my left side it was perfect since that is how they say you should. Ha well when the belly for bigger it was uncomfortable to sleep on my side plus the nerve pain in my thigh would start up as would my carpal tunnel. I ended up finding myself sleeping on my back which I always hated.

Now past three weeks on my back I canst breath on my side uncomfortable so now I sleep on the couch. My couch reclines so it is nice. Helps with the heartburn and I have actually been able to get a few hours of sleep. I do have a pregnancy pillow to that I love but nothing helped. So I am guessing the couch will be my friend for the next few months. I have a bad back too and this is always the place I go.

mdarmetko · April 2014

A few weeks ago I mentioned to my mom that I'm apparently not supposed to sleep on my back. She'd never heard of this. After rolling her eyes she said "it's amazing you kids survived through birth". I thought that was pretty great.

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