Sleeping at 21 weeks?!

[first_time_mummy]

Hi, I was just curious as to what the safest position for sleeping would be for 21 weeks.
Im getting the definate round pregnant belly happening, and i am finding it a little unconfortable to sleep on my stomach, however, i just CANT fall asleep any other way. I really only get a proper sleep if my body is completely belly down.

I have tried to sleep with one leg, right up to give myself some area for the tummy to sit, however, my belly is getting bigger and im finding that the leg up tactic just isnt enough, and it will only get worse. I also find bub to start kicking a fair bit, when i am laying tummy down, and im scared its him/her trying to tell me to lay off...

Im just scared that i wont get a good nights sleep for the next 18 weeks of my pregnancy, and was hoping for some ideas or tips from other mums experiencing this concern.

thanks

[first_time_mummy]

I have also tried laying on my side, back etc, but i end up just half dozing off, and then rolling straight over onto my tummy.

Was wondering whether sleeping on my belly can cause any problems with my baby?

[~Kate~]

I was a belly sleeper too and found that a pillow under your raised up knee as well as one under your boobs and head helped a bit. Eventually you will just be so used to sleeping in a different position that it just happens. The big long body pillow helped also. Good luck

[first_time_mummy]

oh ok. ill try a spare bed pillow i have. Does it get unconftable having the pillow lying beside you. I mean did you fall asleep okay with it under your side?
Ive seen in the shops you can buy a wedge pillow for under the tummy, but i just dont think having to buy an expensive pillow an option. Like you said, i could just use a spare long pillow from home

thanks

[~Kate~]

I didn't go buy any 'special' pillow. I had my boomerang one that I used for head etc and then had other pillows all around me. Then was given one of those long body pillows. The only problem I had was when I wanted to roll over cos I had to readjust everything. It took a bit of getting used to but I just kept thinking that 'I can't lie on my belly or flat on my back because of bubs so just suck it up and go to sleep'.

[first_time_mummy]

lol.
So is lying on the back also bad? as i lay down a lot, my back is getting much worse, and to relieve the back pain i always lie on my back on my bed...
What problems can it cause laying on my tummy or back?
Someone also told me that when i start getting bigger, my belly can sit to one side. Is that true??

I know what you mean bout having the adjust....urg...its gunna be terrible for me cause i toss and turn like 20 times before i eventually doze off...lol

[ss_storm]

Yep, re-arranging all the pillows in the bed is probably the best way to go! Although my DF doesn't like it cause it means there is a pillow between me and him...lol. I still occasionally find myself sleeping on my back, which I really probably shouldn't be doing at this stage! I find it is quite uncomfortable though as I can't breathe properly...does make it hard as I always used to sleep on my back so now have to sleep on my side and have to roll over about 50 times a night because I wake up with sore legs on the side I've been lying on...the time I get up in the morning is the time when both sides are numb and I can't stand lying on either one anymore!

[NaeNae]

I am a back sleeper and don't seem to have any problems nor have I ever been advised to sleep a certain way. I have noticed I find myself on my left side more when I wake up and somehow have maneuvered my triangle pillow under my shoulders for support on the side - not a conscious thing though.

I guess sooner or later it just won't be comfortable to lay on your belly or back so you'll need to adjust to sleeping on the side. Using extra pillows now to help you get use to the idea would be a great way to get you use to it.

Nae x

[Miss E]

Unfortunately sooner or later belly sleeping just won't work no matter how many pillows you have. I really recommend investing in a body pillow. I got one when I was about 18 weeks and have slept reasonably well the whole way through. You can use it to help you kinda be on your tummy, it makes it way more comfy to sleep on your side and sometimes I even half lie on it so that I am kinda on my back without all the weight of bubs weighing down on me. Now that I'm at the end and huge I don't think I would be able to sleep without it.

Lying on your back isn't recommended because the weight of bubs can block the flow of one of your major arteries. This puts stress on your heart etc which in turn puts stress on bubs. Some women actually find that they get dizzy or throw up when they try and lie on their back, but even if you don't you shouldn't do it because any sort of restriction to your blood flow for an extended period of time is not good.

[Taurean]

I have a maternity pillow on one side and a normal pillow on the other side and although I still get uncomfortable, the addition of the two pillows has made a difference to my sleep.

My maternity pillow is moon shaped and about a meter or so long. I put one end between my legs and the other bit has a mini-moon pillow sewn into it for my bump to rest on. I always have this one on my left as that's the recommended sleeping position while pregnant. I have a normal pillow (long ways) shoved under my back and butt so if I roll in my sleep, I'm not lying flat on my back. I find it much easier when I roll over now too as I have a pillow to pop between my legs and under my belly on either side. Much easier than taking my big maternity pillow with me each time I roll over (which happens a lot due to aching hips!!)

A couple of normal pillows should do the trick but I do love my maternity pillow and it can double as a breastfeeding pillow too.

[Stevie]

i have a body pillow that i use when DH is away, becoz i sleep with that on my left (which i throw a leg over) and a normal pillow behind.
When he is home however, i love to snuggle up to him, and him to me so i go without the pillows, i figure i can do this comfortably at the moment so may as well make the most of it while i can, coz i know the bigger i get i will def need my BP all the time.
I was never a belly sleeper but i couldnt now anyway, and i usually sleep on my back but i find i wake on one of my sides most times, but if i wake on my side without a pillow between my legs i usually have an aching leg or hips