Sleeping on my back

[Netty]

When should I stop sleeping on my back? I know you aren't meant to late in your pg but I am looking very pg already and my 12 week scan showed the placenta is right at the front (on top of baby if I am lying on my back). I try and wedge a pillow behind me but always wake up having had the best sleep when I have ended up on my back (must do it while asleep). I'm owrried it isn't good for baby or me.. Any advice anyone? Thankyou

[Heaven]

Don't worry, if it's not right you will instinctively roll off your back in your sleep

[Inertia]

Heaven is right. The reason you stop being able to sleep on your back is because the baby can compress the aorta and vena cava and slow the blood flow, making you feel extremely ill. You will know when you get to the point where you shouldn't be sleeping on your back because you really won't be able to. When it gets to that point, try and train yourself to sleep on your left side because on your right can leave the baby resting on your liver, which is really almost as bad.

[Indadhanu]

Hi hun, just wanted to put your mind at ease and say that if you do roll onto your back you'll end up waking up or rolling over (or waking up to roll over PMSL if you're in the last few weeks! lol).

I slept on my stomach until 14ish weeks, and then on my back until I really really couldn't lie on my back. If its not making you feel ill I wouldn't worry about it, its really quite early and the pressure won't be too great anyway. Oh, and the placenta being anterior won't squish the baby either (well, not as far as I know?).

[Netty]

Cool thanks Girls Will sleep better knowing that now. I do tend to sleep on my left side alot too but end up with sore everything from sleeping in the same possy for so long.

[Inertia]

Cool thanks Girls Will sleep better knowing that now. I do tend to sleep on my left side alot too but end up with sore everything from sleeping in the same possy for so long.

Yeah, it really does feel like a recipe for bedsores at times. Hubby got a bunch of extra pillows so I could sleep propped up and first, then move into the left side position when my butt went numb. Might be worth a try when you get there. A couple of soft blankets properly arranged can be just as useful.

[amazed]

I'm 31 weeks along. I still occasionally sleep on my back. Funny, because I'm usually a side sleeper. When I wake up and find myself on my back, I try to see if I feel dizzy or funny. Nope. Baby seems fine, too -- he's kicking and rolling either way.

I suppose if my vena cana was really being squeezed, I would not be comfortable! I do go to sleep on my side though, so it's not like I'm intentionally sleeping on my back... I'll ask my doc next time I go in for a check up but I feel it's one of those "you'd know it if there was something wrong" things.

[Inertia]

I suppose if my vena cana was really being squeezed, I would not be comfortable!

You would know it. I had to lie on my back once a week just for an ultrasound with Harry near the end of the pregnancy, and I would get light headed, my concentration would start drifting and then start feeling extremely ill. From there my HG would take over and any chances of eating were completely shot for the rest of the day, lol.

[Ivy]

Im 24 weeks along, i was concerning about sleeping on my back too, but i find out im much more comfy sleeping on my back than on my side,as bub always kick where something rub on my belly so i felt uncomfrtable and also my doctor said just sleep whichever way u feel comfortable

[Netty]

Last night i woke up on my back and my hands/arms were just sitting on my ribs and they were all numb with pins and needles... is that bad??? I am still worried I shouldn't be on my back but I sleep sooo much better that way!

[Miss E]

There is so much mixed information about these kind of things out there that it is hard to know what's right and what's not...

I did some physio classes earlier in my pregnancy and they said that after 16 weeks you should stop sleeping on your back. They said not to stress if you wake up and find yourself on your back but to roll over to your side. They did make the point that just because you feel okay on your back it doesn't mean that your blood flow isn't being restricted and it isn't putting stress on you and your baby. For you to start feeling dizzy and ill your blood flow has to be blocked significantly and that is when it is starting to get dangerous.

I invested in a body pillow which makes sleeping any which way so much easier, and not just on your side. If I want to lay on my back I just have the body pillow run underneath one side of me so I am not flat on my back. I do the same thing if I want to be on my stomach. Sure, you aren't quite on your stomach or your back, but it provides you with some comfy alternatives when you just can't bear to be on your side any longer.

I wouldn't worry too much about the pins and needles in your fingers. I also get them when I'm in bed. I read in What to Expect When your Expecting that it is quite normal, they suggested that when you have them just put your hand over the edge of the bed so the blood flow returns - it works a treat for me!

[Netty]

Thanks MIss Excited I do sleep with a pillow in between my legs usually when on my side and one behind me but have been thinking of investing in one of the big open doughnut/u shaped body pillows so I cant end up flat on my back.

[Chow]

Netty I just got myself one of the super long body pillows, and its the best money I have spent. It makes sleeping so much eaiser as you never end up totally on your back or tummy. Only issue i have now is that DH is steeling it during the night to put between his legs

[Miss E]

Netty I just got myself one of the super long body pillows, and its the best money I have spent. It makes sleeping so much eaiser as you never end up totally on your back or tummy. Only issue i have now is that DH is steeling it during the night to put between his legs

I've got the same thing and it really is a life saver. BTW my DH also loves to steal mine

[Serenitylee]

I still sleep on my back and often it is the only comfiest position I can get in. I do however occasionally put a pillow next to me on my side so that when I am on my side I can rest my tummy on the pillow, sometimes I even put the pillow in between my knees and leave a bit hanging up so its touching my belly and that is quite comfortable. I would just do what makes you the most comfortable and if you are fine sleeping on your back then I would do it. Your body will tell you if something is wrong