Laying on your back

ksmckill@smumn.edu · July 2014

I am confused about how much I'm allowed to lie on my back. I have been trying to sleep on my sides as much as possible, but I wake up on my back again. Also, I like to read in bed on my back. Is that out of the question now? This question also pertains to working out on my back, crunches, etc. I'm 18 weeks. Can too much harm the baby?

erynpdx · July 2014

My midwife says that if there's a problem with how you're sleeping, your body will rouse you and you'll shift. So yah, I'm trying to get used to sleeping on my side, but I'm not worried if I wake up on my back. I'm usually a stomach sleeper, so giving that one up recently was about all I could take in the sleep restriction category.

Also 18 weeks!

desertsun · July 2014

Listen to your body. If you feel uncomfortable, then move. If you're not uncomfortable, you're probably fine.

The potential issue is with blood flow. Certain positions can compress that large vein in your lower body and reduce blood flow to your uterus. But you really should start to feel like you need to move before it is in any way a danger to you or baby.

Of course you should always talk to your care provider to see what s/he advises.

agsgrrl · July 2014

*sigh* having the opposite, I'm a tummy sleeper and it's starting to not work at 17 weeks. After a long night of trying to get comfy I've figured out its going to be a long stretch between here and Christmas. Sleeping on my side hurts my hip after a few hours and I don't know how any of ya slept on your backs to begin with!

Eora3 · July 2014

In my experience, once the baby is big enough for it to be dangerous, it is really uncomfortable to lie on my back. I start to feel sick and absolutely have to move. I wouldn't worry about it unless your doctor makes a big deal about it.

allonsyalonso · July 2014

Laying on your back is okay so long as you are uncomfortable. My understanding is that the weight of the baby can cause potential restrictions to blood flow causing you to get dizzy and very uncomfortable.

Regarding laying on your stomach, I've found that I can still manage it if I bring one knee towards my chest and rest it on a pillow or something. That way I'm angled a bit off the mattress, but still feel like I'm on my stomach.

BdblZ · July 2014

desertsun said:
Listen to your body. If you feel uncomfortable, then move. If you're not uncomfortable, you're probably fine.

The potential issue is with blood flow. Certain positions can compress that large vein in your lower body and reduce blood flow to your uterus. But you really should start to feel like you need to move before it is in any way a danger to you or baby.

Of course you should always talk to your care provider to see what s/he advises.

This. Unless you are taking heavy duty sleeping pills your body will tell you when you have to move off your back. I've woken up almost every morning this past week flat on my back and everything is fine.

Mrw218 · July 2014

I'm pretty sure I read on the bump and other websites that you should not do exercises that require you to be on your back. I don't know if exertion while potentially restricting blood flow is extra dangerous or something but I have been refraining from any laying flat on back exercises. In modify them to either be on my side or elevated on a diagonal.

CandEChicago · July 2014

ksmckill@smumn.edu said:
I am confused about how much I'm allowed to lie on my back. I have been trying to sleep on my sides as much as possible, but I wake up on my back again. Also, I like to read in bed on my back. Is that out of the question now? This question also pertains to working out on my back, crunches, etc. I'm 18 weeks. Can too much harm the baby?

CandEChicago · July 2014

First - you may want to change your SN so that it not your name, email address, etc. Second I have been listening to my body since my hips have been hurting and I have some sciatica. If you are concerned then I would recommend you speak with your doctor.

brookey79 · July 2014

I asked my doctor about this and she said it shouldn't be a problem for a few more weeks. After that, she said to just listen to my body. If I start to feel dizzy or sick, move!

lynseyadamson · July 2014

I've just bought a pregnancy pillow from amazon because I can't get comfy on a night. I usually lie on my side but I'm finding I wake up with a sore back and only get comfy if I lie on my back. But them my back hurts and I roll over again. It's never ending. X

biehl1088 · July 2014

lynseyadamson said:
I've just bought a pregnancy pillow from amazon because I can't get comfy on a night. I usually lie on my side but I'm finding I wake up with a sore back and only get comfy if I lie on my back. But them my back hurts and I roll over again. It's never ending. X

Which pillow did you get? We just ordered one last night from Amazon it's the snoogie mini. I have been sleeping with two body pillows but seriously can't get comfortable. I'm really hoping the new pillow helps

talianza · August 2014

Im almost 21 weeks and Sleeping on my back is the only thing that feels comfortable!

hellopartyof5 · August 2014

Definitely listen to your body. Sometimes when I lay on my back I get winded, so I take that as a bad sign and move. Other times I'm ok. Completely depends and will change as we get bigger

Fossegirl1228 · August 2014

I was a stomach sleeper under it hurt too much to sleep that way and now I am mostly a back sleeper. I usually fall asleep on my side but wake up on my back. I know we've all read that we should lay on our left side but when I do that I feel pressure in my stomach (she also seems to hang out on my left side too) so I roll over. As PP have said, you're body will tell you if you need to move so listen to what you're feeling.

As for working out, I've also read that around 17-18-19 weeks you should stop working out on your back. I think What To Expect just had an article on their website about this.

Cconway7 · August 2014

agsgrrl said:
*sigh* having the opposite, I'm a tummy sleeper and it's starting to not work at 17 weeks. After a long night of trying to get comfy I've figured out its going to be a long stretch between here and Christmas. Sleeping on my side hurts my hip after a few hours and I don't know how any of ya slept on your backs to begin with!

My hips were also hurting on my side. I rubbed lavender essential oil on my hips before bed and that has helped!

dreacwaters · August 2014

I'm a side/stomach sleeper. It's been really difficult. I wake up with a cramp in my hip and I end up partially on my stomach. After extensive research I just purchased this pillow. So looking forward to it's arrival.

Annya26 · August 2014

agsgrrl said:
*sigh* having the opposite, I'm a tummy sleeper and it's starting to not work at 17 weeks. After a long night of trying to get comfy I've figured out its going to be a long stretch between here and Christmas. Sleeping on my side hurts my hip after a few hours and I don't know how any of ya slept on your backs to begin with!

I am a big time tummy sleeper. Try using a body pillow, and hiking one leg up on another pillow. Puts you half on your side and half on your stomach. I was able to get through the whole pregnancy that way last time.

(Of course then I couldn't do it cause the boob pain kicked in, figures!)

Meether · August 2014

I also could not sleep on my sides this time around. With DD, I didn't have any problems. Dr. said that it's ok if I sleep on my back, I will become out of breath if anything gets blocked...so I will wake up. I've been sleeping so much better now, still trying the sides but I don't sit there all night thinking I am killing my kid if I end up on my back.

ZAP12 · August 2014

I usually fall asleep on my side, but 2/3 times I wake up on my back. I remember one of the most satisfying things about giving birth was immediately being able to sleep on my back again. (Seriously, that was one of the first things my brain went to after I met my baby.)

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