Tips for sleeping on your back

sweetyq1984 · August 2014

I thought I would never sleep again when I found out I couldnt sleep on my back anymore. My hips and shoulders hurt, I only slept for an hr or two at a time before I had to re-position, then I figured out how to sleep on my back without causing the difficult breathing, rapid heart rate, or SI pain. Take a dense pillow and put it under one hip bone, put that leg up on a pillow or two (I have to have one pillow under both knees and then one more under the knee with the pillow under the hip). This shifts the weight of the baby and uterus enough to take the pressure off the spine, veins, and SI nerve. I slept like this most nights now. I cant lay flat on my back at all without feeling like I cant breathe. It might take some tries to get it the way its comfortable for you. Hope this helps.

MmmPopcorn · August 2014

This is helpful. I hurt my back this week, and I woke up several times last night with serious pain from sleeping on my side. I'm a natural back sleeper, and I miss it, so I'll try this tonight. Thanks for sharing!

carcrashheart · August 2014

I've spoken to several medical professionals and they all said there was no medical reason to not sleep on your back. I slept on my back last time and still this time. I know why they say not to, but the professionals did not concur. I'm not all about going out of my way to make myself more uncomfortable than I already am.

sweetyq1984 · August 2014

Im an RN and I know from personal experience that when I sleep on my back I feel like I cant breath and my rate rate goes up. Im already having blood pressure issues and I dont want to put more pressure on my heart. I know that there is nothing that will hurt the baby by sleeping on your back. I just cant do it, everyones anatomy is different (slightly) and so some people will be able to sleep on their back without a problem. I just saw some posts recently about have SI pain and other difficulties while sleeping on their back, thought I could be helpful.

babysis013 · August 2014

I was told not to sleep on my back by my OB after 20 weeks because it could possibly cut off the blood flow to the baby. Actually, she told me not to be flat on my back for any reason. Had to stop my therapy at the chiropractor's office because of it. Maybe it has more to do with me being so overweight. I'm not sure.

FishyMom · August 2014

My ob said I could continue to sleep on my back till 30 weeks. After that se suggested a pillow to slightly elevate one side like op said.

Nfranco973 · August 2014

sweetyq1984 said:
Im an RN and I know from personal experience that when I sleep on my back I feel like I cant breath and my rate rate goes up. Im already having blood pressure issues and I dont want to put more pressure on my heart. I know that there is nothing that will hurt the baby by sleeping on your back. I just cant do it, everyones anatomy is different (slightly) and so some people will be able to sleep on their back without a problem. I just saw some posts recently about have SI pain and other difficulties while sleeping on their back, thought I could be helpful.

This position is helpful . It helps a lot when I'm dealing with the sciatica pain as it takes some pressure off the nerve. During the last few months, sleeping on your back can be difficult for some because as the baby grows it starts to grow further up into your stomach putting more pressure on your lungs. That's where the breathlessness feeling comes from. Also, sleeping on your back does seem to cause your blood pressure to drop. Overweight individuals and persons with respiratory issues should not lie completely on their back during this time in pregnancy. It is best to lie with a pillow slightly elevating your upper body.

shan24 · August 2014

Awesome! I'm a total back sleeper and I've been trying to sleep on my side with very little luck. I'm trying your tips tonight!!

CariLS8 · August 2014

Oh how I miss sleeping on my back! I will have to try this! I noticed the other night I fell asleep on my back and woke up to a leg cramp! It was terrible. Idk if sleeping on my back could have caused that, but it was my first leg cramp I've had since being pregnant and I notice when I am on my back my legs do start to hurt. I will have to try this though!!

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