Sleeping on back, on sides... what do you guys think?

smallanimal · November 2016

I have been told that we should sleep on our left sides, or sometimes right, but never on back at this time now. My problem is that even if I fall asleep on the left side (v uncomfortable but I am making an effort), I normally end up rolling onto my back and wake up like that later on. Back is still the absolutely most comfortable for me! Right side is similar. When I force myself to stay on sides for hours (for example when I am not sleeping but reading in bed) , I have pain on my sides, and if I dont roll over in sleep, I have pain again. My body wants to sleep on the back!!

What have you guys been told? Any ideas?

I read somewhere that sleeping on back can increase stillbirth rate so started panicing a bit.

doozenberg · November 2016

@smallanimal, i haven't heard any about stillbirths, but sleeping on your back when you're further along in your pregnancy is more of an issue for you. The larger uterus will push on and block the major vein that drains blood back to your hear (inferior vena cava). This block prevents blood return to the heart and usually results in you waking up with pain in your lower half and maybe feeling short of breath. That's when you know you can't sleep on your back anymore. It will eventually happen, but maybe your uterus isn't quite big enough yet such that you can still sleep on your back. Hope that helps.

SnarkasaurusRex · November 2016

Yea, I've never heard the stillbirth thing either. The issue is that the pressure from the baby/uterus cuts off your blood flow, as PP said.

My OB said that it is sleep on your back until it's uncomfortable. Your body will let you know. I typically fall asleep on my side but will wake up on my back, and with DS it eventually got to the point where I was waking up because I had pain in my lower back and legs. If that happens, roll back over to your left side (best for restoring circulation) and fall back asleep. That didn't happen until I was probably 30-32 weeks, though.

Mama5181 · November 2016

At this point I sleep however I can. My body will tell me I need to adjust. I'm sure I'll pull out my snoogle in a few weeks though.

dlynn484 · November 2016

I slept on my back some even at the end of my pregnancy with my son. I just made sure I was sleeping elevated on four pillows or so.

I've been having more issues sleeping on my side this time too. I have hip pain. It's frustrating because we even went out and bought an expensive mattress earlier this year. I guess all of that comfort goes out the window when you're pregnant now matter how nice the mattress is.

cafedisco · November 2016

Agree with others that your body will adjust you when needed. I'm not a back sleeper but I've been laying on my back to watch TV and I have zero concerns at this point.

andrea0418 · November 2016

I asked my dr on Monday about sleeping on my back. She said its fine until 20 weeks. After that try to sleep on my side.

schef070911 · November 2016

I asked my OB about this at last appt because like @smallanimal I sleep pretty much exclusively on my back, and she said she'd remind me at 28 weeks to begin sleeping on my side. She did mention that I may find it uncomfortable and wake up in the middle of the night (for all the reasons previously stated) before that time. I'll probably need a Snoogle to help keep me from rolling over though, so if anyone sees a good deal on one please post!

SnarkasaurusRex · November 2016

Y'all...I never quit using my Snoogle after I had DS...that thing is the best!

BeachMommy2B · November 2016

The issues is with the extra weight of the baby causing pressure on your nerves. However, your body will wake you up before anything happens. You may not get much sleep if you keep rolling on your back and waking up because of it, but most doctors will tell you to sleep how ever you are comfortable (unless you have some reason for them to tell you otherwise, which if you did.. you would know).

beemaya83 · November 2016

I've been sleeping on my left side for a while now. I'm uncomfortable when I sleep on my right side and back. I'm not even 1/2 way to pregnancy yet.

Nolegirl1185 · November 2016

I literally can only fall asleep on my stomach, which is starting to become quite uncomfortable! I don't know what to do, I can't sleep on my back and every time I try to sleep on my sides, I get so uncomfortable I roll onto my stomach. I guess when I get too big, I won't have a choice

Koukonei · November 2016

I switch back and forth between my right and left side. I don't sleep on my back but I can still relax that way and I'm 16 weeks with twins, so you're probably ok for a bit. Like the other ladies said, your body will let you know once that's not possible anymore!

mrsstuessy · November 2016

My midwives gave me a little bookmark at my first appointment that says,
"Healthy pregnant women may sleep on their backs! Significant decrease in blood flow due to back-sleeping would cause faintness and shortness of breath in the mother before affecting her baby. If you are comfortable resting on your back, your baby is comfortable too! Rest well!"
So, that is what I am going with. I will sleep any way I like that is comfy. Getting rest is more important in my opinion.

lovelongdog06 · November 2016

When I was pregnant with DS, I spent a lot of time sleeping on my back and I was on my back when my water broke in the middle of the night the day he was born. My concerns about it being harmful are almost nil, because I believe most healthy people will get uncomfortable and move before anything bad happens from blood supply.

That said, I had a train wreck delivery because my son was unexpectedly breech, so this time I'm hypervigilant about proper positioning in everything I do, including sleep. Sleeping with a pillow between my knees seems to reduce the temptation to roll on my back, but I think I'll need a back pillow or snoogle as I grow bigger.

smallanimal · November 2016

Thanks everyone for your responses. It looks like most people are saying that it is only uncomfortable or potentially not so good for *me* on the back, which is fine - good to hear that noone thinks it can harm the baby. I guess my body will tell me if something is wrong...

Taylor72 · November 2016

@Nolegirl1185 have you tried a snoogle? I have one and sometimes when I want to lay on my stomach, I roll it up so there is a hole in the middle and put my stomach in the hole. Works wonders.

Also, last night was a first for me. I normally sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs, have for years, but during pregnancy I have noticed that I roll to my back quite often and it's comfortable. Well, last night I was on my back and woke up and my feet were numb and I was a little dizzy when I got up to go to the bathroom. Guess I will attempt to not roll onto my back anymore.

Nolegirl1185 · November 2016

@Taylor72 I have not...I've been debating on buying one, but haven't because I move so much. I'm afraid I'll just throw it on the floor. I hear so many people swear by them so I may just go ahead and try.

Good luck trying to not roll on your back! Not only are we carrying a child(ren), we have to break a lifelong habit lol!

LittleChick2 · November 2016

Speaking of the snoogle, has anyone tried the mini version? Two adults and 3 dogs in my bed doesn't leave much room for a big pillow...

HappyAnjel · November 2016

I sleep with a hard pillow behind me to keep me from rolling totally onto my back when I sleep I also use a body pillow between my legs to kind of anchor me.. I may have to get a snoogle from the sound of it though!

smallanimal · November 2016

I bought a Dreamfinitii pillow yesterday. It is comfortable, but it stops me from turning to the other side! Need to work out exactly how to make it better. But since, I have also spoken to my obgyn who said that laying on the back at this time is completely harmless, especially if I turn to it in my sleep - it means my body is comfortable. So pretty much what you guys have been saying here.

momtoleo · November 2016

I try to sleep on my side but definitely end up on my back sometimes. I've started feeling a bit of pins and needles in my feet after a while on my back and that's definitely a sign that I need to move. So yes, I think your body gives you signs first before it starts to affect the baby.

carpediem55 · November 2016

I'm a back sleeper, and also move around a lot while sleeping. I bought the snoogle, and although i like it, I still move all over and still wake up on my back sometimes. Sometimes I even wake up to the snoogle on the floor.

super_sam03 · November 2016

I found out yesterday at my ultrasound exactly what happens when I'm on my back for too long. About 30 minutes in I became very light headed, nauseous and was sweating a storm. Asked if I could get up and the nurse told me to just roll on my side, I would begin to feel better. After a few minutes I did. After that, I could only lie on my back for about 10 min at a time. They said this is early for singles but since I'm carrying twins, it's very common.

JessWannaEatEverything · November 2016

I've been having such bad hip problems. Last night I did something awful.. our happy little puppy sleeps on this giant memory foam bed - and I stole it! I put it on top of my bed, and the memory foam saved me. We have an amazing sleep number bed, and I've tried soft/hard and everything in between... but man that dog bed is where it's at.

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Sleeping on back, on sides... what do you guys think?

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