Sleeping "comfortably"

[Redhead]

Hi there,
I am posting here, as I am on the "cusp" of the third trimester & I need advice that will see me thru!

I am currently sleeping on my left side as much as I can, using a body pillow to cuddle and put my leg "up". I am finding that after a few hours tho, my hips are aching and it's really difficult to get into a comfortable position to relieve the pain.

Any suggestions on how to get comfy for sleep in the third trimester??

[[M]umma[M]ia]

You dont really sleep properly at the end. The only thing you can do is trying to manage it the best you can. Unfortunantly it is just one of them things. I toss and turn all night but Im so used to it now I seem to do it in my sleep. Also try to make sure your are not over doing it during the day and getting too over tired. Im always alot more sore if Im not lookin after myself the way I should. Maybe a warm bath before bed can help sooth things before jumping into bed might help. As well as using the body pillow to put your leg up on, maybe find a flat pillow to put under your bump when your on your side to give it a bit more support. Also another pillow at your back is good too... (yeah just kick DH out now.. lol).

I also find my hips hurt if my leg is raised too much on a pillow. You dont want to be straining your hips apart. Still try to keep your hips as paralell as possible. If that makes sense.

[Beach Mama]

Lots of pillows was the key for me and I slept on the couch for my whole 3rd trimester as I could load up on pillows on either side of me to sort of balance me out. Good luck it can be really hard to get some rest xoxo

[MummaSue]

I found that a few regular pillows and a V shaped pillow helped me sleep upright. Whilst it wasn't ideal, it was the best I could do. I agree with the others, it's really hard to get good sleep in the last few weeks. Lots and lots of pillows is the key

When DD was born, everyone asked me how the sleep deprivation was going and I was pleased to tell them I was getting more sleep now that she was on the outside than I did when she was on the inside!!!!!

[Miss.September]

I would spend half the night sitting upright, lots of pillows behind me to support my head and neck, v pillow worked a treat. Mine was a mixture of heartburn too that would rage whenever I lay down.

[Redhead]

Thanks ladies.
Sounds like I am already doing most of the things you suggest.
Mumma Mia, I would be scared to take a bath, how do you get in and out? Or does DH have to help??

[mom2be]

hello! I usually put my legs up on a pillows too because I want to reduce the edema on my feet. I also felt uncomfortable. I usually toss and turn too. What I do is to put pillow on my both sides. This helps me to sleep

[Nelle]

Ahhh the aching hips are never fun. I found that buying a foam underlay/mattress topper REALLY helped. I used to have just a wool underlay over an electric blanket, but the electric blanket really does make the bed uncomfy. If it was summer I'd suggest removing the electric blanket if you have one, but otherwise, just move it as low down as you can. For example, electric blanket, then foam underlay, then wool underlay. I considered a pillowtop underlay, but the foam was cheaper. Just get the best/cushiest underlay you can afford, I reckon!

Staying active during the day will help too, even a 5-10 min walk.

I also read somewhere (and it proved to be useful advice), that a pillow between the knees works best if it's also between the ankles - if you lie in bed and think about it, no point having knees well spaced if your top ankle drops back down again, it sort of puts pressure on the hip - you need your top ankle to be level with your knee and hip joint. I mean, I'm no physio, but that's been the most effective pillow arrangement for me.

Other than that - if the hip or back pain is really bothering you and you're crying cos all you want to do is SLEEP, go for the panadol I reckon. Obviously that's not a long term solution, but it is a good stop-gap if the choice is pain or sleep. All the best! xo

[Lisa B]

uuuggghhh, the aching hips!!! I had this from the second tri. When it got really really bad i got up multiple times in the night to heat up a heat pack and put on my hip. I would give me an hour or two relief at a time.

It seems to stop after birth, but i know that's no comfort right now.

[Taurean]

I slept with a pillow under my bump, one between my legs (not too high though) and one behind my back for support. I switched sides when I felt uncomfy but it was a bit of an ordeal moving my 'nest'

I also had a thin summer doona doubled up under the fitted sheet on my side of the bed. We have a pillow top mattress but it didn't help with the pain. The doona did help a bit though. The suggestion of some cheap foam is an excellent idea.

I also used a heat pack and panadol. It was tough going but most of the pain went as soon as labour started and the rest not long after so keep that in mind when you're feeling down.

Good luck. It is awfully hard to get comfy and decent sleep in the last trimester

[Redhead]

I slept with a pillow under my bump, one between my legs (not too high though) and one behind my back for support. I switched sides when I felt uncomfy but it was a bit of an ordeal moving my 'nest'

Good luck. It is awfully hard to get comfy and decent sleep in the last trimester

LOVE the reference to the "nest", it really feels that way!

[Taurean]

It sure does! DH almost moved to the spare bed as he gradually had less and less room in our bed!

[Redhead]

With the "nest" and my apparent snoring, it's a wonder DH is coming to bed with me at all!
Maybe he's too scared to test what I might say if he didn't!

[[M]umma[M]ia]

lol... a bath... welll.... i do get out by myself but I look like a complete loser doing it. I pull the plug, kinda roll over onto my hands and needs then a grab the bath mat and put in in the bath for more grip and I sort climb up looking completley retarted. But it works. If not you could always chuck a leg over one side and roll out of the bath.. crawl out to the hallway and then get up.. hahhahahahhahaa obviously I am quite sleep deprived atm..

[Redhead]

Hilarious! Maybe I should give it a go just for the laugh!

[Lolpigs]

Hilarious! Maybe I should give it a go just for the laugh!

Haha! I would never be able to get out if I got in the bath.

I am the same 24 weeks but struggling to get comfortable. Tossing and turning all night is the pits. I have found at least I can get some shut eye on the lounge, so when its unbearable thats whe
re I go.
I am still getting hot at night and waking up too, is there anything I can do? Or ride it out?

[alish]

im finding sleepin on my back with a pillow slightly under my left hip helps me, with my legs spread or knees bent with feet touching eachother (does that make sense? sorta like a frog) either that or on my left side/tummy with a pillow under me.. or if dh is spooning me i lean back into him

p.s fwiw im snoring too, like a man, im worse than dh, he even recorded it and played it to me the next morning!!

[Cranky Kitten]

p.s fwiw im snoring too, like a man, im worse than dh, he even recorded it and played it to me the next morning!!

Argh, what's with that? DH reckons I sound like a mack truck in low gear when I'm asleep (not that he's much better)!

I'm gradually working out the most strategic placement of pillows for comfort, but egads it's annoying on nights where I'm restless. My trouble though is that although the rest of me is comfortable, my arm on the side I'm laying on goes all pins and needly. And I won't let DH cuddle me cause his arm is just too darn heavy and squashes my lungs when he flings it over me.