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I'm 25wks pregnant and was told and read that shouldn't be sleeping on my back. I keep waking up on my back which is unusual because I used to hate sleeping on my back only slept on tummy or side.
Is this ok or should I be really trying not to sleep on my back?
Sleeping on your back can cause you to restrict a flow in a vein (sorry, not sure which one), but it mostly causes pins and needles down your right side.. Personally, my back aches so much before I feel any other side effects..
You may be waking up because the artery is a bit compressed - generally, your body will prompt you to reduce the pressure (ie turn onto your side) by waking you.
Some women don't experience any symptoms at all when they lie on their backs. But I feel more comfy on my side.
They say that you shouldn't sleep on your back because of some artery that gets compressed but my doctor told me with every pg that you will wake up if it starts causing a problem so not to worry about it. It's not like there are a great number of positions you can sleep in while pg.
If you ever go unconscious as a pg person, the people caring for you should not lay you on your back because in that instance the artery gets compressed and an unconscious person will not wake up to adjust their position.
I have body pillows for when I sleep at night and find these help me get into a comfortable position very easily. I usually sleep on my back with the body pillow under half my body so I am slightly elevated on one side. I have two body pillows - one for either side of me because they are too hard to move in the middle of the night when I roll over.
Thanks ;) I do use a body pillow but find myself continually rolling from side to side with it through the night. I might try using it under my back to prop me up like you said Townsville Girl. Thanks again ladies.
that is only the case if you are completly flat with just a pillow under your head
if you put youself at a slight angle like 30 degrees its ok on your back =)
I've been sleeping flat on my back most nights by accident. It's just where i am most comfortable! I find my legs tingle when i lie on my sides! Is it really that bad to be on your back? Will the baby receive less blood supply?
The problem, as the others have said, is that your main artery running down your spine can get compressed. When this happens, your bp will drop dramatically and therefore so will the babies. Usually you will become aware of it quickly, but it is much better to not have it happen in the first place. You only need to be on a 10 deg angle to prevent this, so the best option is to place a pillow down behind you so that if you roll over onto your back, you are tilted by the pillow.
Thanks for that - i will give that a shot!