When do I stop laying on my back?

I've been an active member of my gym for the last 5 yrs and since finding out I was preggers, I have still been going to the gym up to 4 times a week.

Once a week I do a weights class and there is two routines (these routines only go the length of a song and have 2 other routines in between) where you have to lay on you back, on top of a step with 2 risers. At 16 weeks I am still laying on a flat bench but my previous teacher told me that when I get further along I will need to incline the step (so I would have 2 risers on one side and another 3-4 on the other side IYKWIM).

So my question is, at how many weeks is it recommended NOT to lay flat on your back?

I thought it was about the 20 week mark.

Yeah, 20 wks for me too. Or when it starts making you feel nauseous!

Ps cant believe you are 16 wks already!!

Hey stranger,
I actually asked my OB about this in terms of sleeping on back & she said that there was no reason not to!
She said if you are comfortable, then do it and there was no danger to you or baby to do it, my GP said the same.
I have to admit I am still a bit nervous as ALL the books say not to!
Good on you for going to the gym 4 times a week!
I am down to twice. :)

My gym instructor told me to do 1 riser on 1 side and 3 on the other side BTW. At 20-24 weeks she said - depending on what I was comfortable with. Your body will let you know.

I'd say 20 weeks forsure. OMG I miss those days (fave position in bed laying on my back:)

i still lay on my back and im 23 weeks?? i cannot lay on my back on the floor anymore but in bed no worries.. im more of a tummy sleeper though

Cheers for the responses :D I thought that it was some time around 20 wks but I will do what my body is comfortable with.


Shanti - I know!! It has gone quickly but it doesnt feel like it has :lol: And YOU are about to have your baby!!

I have my days.. some days i can, some days i cant. Though from about 20 weeks when I layed flat on my back I would get pins and needles in my feet, so im guessing it really does slow/stop the blood flow to the botton half of your body..

If i lay on my back for more than a minute or so now..my lower back kills. So yeah... just trying to say I think your body will tell you when its not ok.

Our hospy physios said 16 weeks. But I was told this at 32 weeks :) I kind of vaguely knew about it, but went with the "if I'm comfortable" thing. Then at 32 weeks my DH knew about it too, and wouldn't let me do it anymore :( I was comfortable on my back right up to 40 weeks. Huh.

For exercise though, I'd cruise around on the safe side of things.

My midwife says there is no reason to not lay on your back so long as you are comfy, and that that advice is a little old fashioned. I still lay comfortably on my back at 36 weeks, I've never had any dizziness or anything like that. In fact, the only time I have had issues has been a few times on my side, but generally I can lie however I want. I love not having to worry about how to lie (except I WISH I could still get onto my stomach!! :( ) AS long as you are comfy you'll be fine, your body will let you know pretty fast if it's affecting you.

What PZ said... I would think that given you are only going to be lying on your back for 3-4mins at a time, it shouldn't be too much of an issue unless it causes dizziness, pins and needles etc... BUT I would also consider getting back up again - you won't be able to pull yourself straight up, and rolling off the step might not be that easy from a flat position
Go with what your body tells you hun, it will know what it can and can't do. Another option would be to see if there is an instructor at the gym that is qualified or knowledgable in pregnancy exercise and ask them for their recommendation.

Well done on going to the gym!

Ladies can I ask why we are NOT supposed to lie on our backs? Apart from discomfort or nausea what is lying on your back when pregnant meant to do/cause?

Apparently the weight of uterus plus baby presses on one of the major veins that returns blood to the heart, which can result in dizzyness or light headedness and reduce the blood flow to the baby.

Personally I find it hellishly uncomfortable and find myself needing to shift positions after quite a short period, so it's almost like my body is programmed to prevent me from doing it in the first place.

ive been able to still lay on my back up until now - i can only manage a couple of minutes on my back until it hurts.
i was never told by anyone not to lay on my back - my doc said whatever is comfy for you

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Hey stranger,
I actually asked my OB about this in terms of sleeping on back & she said that there was no reason not to!
She said if you are comfortable, then do it and there was no danger to you or baby to do it, my GP said the same.
I have to admit I am still a bit nervous as ALL the books say not to!
Good on you for going to the gym 4 times a week!
I am down to twice. :)

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My ob said the same thing.

You will know when to stop as it becomes 'uncomfortable'. For me I felt extreme pressure near my fair bone which would start to travel down my leg. This started around 24 weeks but only became really noticeable at 28.

Due to the artery that goes down the leg, can get cut off when lying on your back by the baby "jumping" on it. So you can still lie on your back if you just pad your right buttock a little so its off centre...

not sure if its any good while doing the gym stuff

Ah ok thanks ladies. :) I'm 16 weeks and my back is currently my most comfy sleeping position.

Erk. I can't lay on my back at all... Just feeling that artery pulse makes me wanna hurl :sick: