Sleeping - side or back

[MeganMary]

Hello everyone
This is my first post (but I have been lurking for a while!). I am 22 weeks pregnant (after many hard IVF years!). I have (what I hope is) a fairly silly question/concern.
I recall reading somewhere that you should sleep on your side while pregnant, because if you are on your back then this is not good for the baby.
I may have been dreaming that I read this. Anyway, I have great difficulty sleeping on my side, and I always wake up on my back (and then proceed to get cross with myself for not managing to stay on my side).
Does anyone know if this is true (what does sleeping on your back actually do to the baby)? If it is, how do you manage to stay sleeping on your side.
I apologise for this silly question, it is just something that has been bothering me for a while, and I hoped that someone may know the answer
Cheers
M

[Little Chicken]

You will notice an effect more on you at first then on bub, especially as you get further along. When you lie on your back the weight of the uterus compresses some major blood vessels that return blood from the lower half of your body to your heart, it will/may make you feel lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseous. If you are worried about rolling onto your back during the night, stick a pillow behind you to wake you up when you roll. It may also make lying on your side more comfortable.

[~me~]

Hi

Congratulations too!

I found further on in the pregnancy I couldn't lie on my back or I would pass out. You may also find you sleep a little lighter anyway and consciously turn yourself from one side to the other.
I used to sleep with a pillow between my legs, that was really comfortable.

[Sequoia]

I asked my OB this question, he said it's fine, but to change position if I feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I wake up on my back but find I have probably woken as I feel uncomfortable. I find if I wedge a body pillow under my back and half lay back on it that helps.

[ss_storm]

If you are still comfortable sleeping on your back then sleep that way, trust me you will know when it becomes uncomfortable! As someone else suggested sleeping with a pillow between your legs is quite comfy, although towards the end even though I kept swapping from side to side each side would still go numb! Lol.

All the best with the rest of your pregnancy and welcome to BB

[LoveKnowsNoBounds]

I asked my obstetrician when I was pregnant and he advised sleeping on my side. I was more comfortable this way anyway, but eventually I couldn't get comforable any way lol