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Expectant and Postpartum Moms
I just can't sleep, except on my back
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Anonymous
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I'm 19 weeks, and have heard that this is the time when I should stop sleeping on my back. Trouble is, I just can't sleep on my side. I'm kind of bony, so my hips are uncomfortable, and after an hour or so my whole leg from hip to knee goes numb on the side I'm trying to sleep on. I've tried a pillow under my hip and thigh, pillow between the knees, body pillow...nothing is working. Is it really THAT bad to sleep on your back, especially if you prop yourself up a little? Any miracle pillow I'm not thinking of? I don't think I can take 20 more weeks of this, so any suggestions appreciated.
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Anonymous
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There have been other postings on this. My doctor (Dr. Crowther) told me not to worry - she said pregnant women have been lying down/sleeping on their backs for thousands of years.
I end up on my back for most of the night. I try to start on my left side (supposedly preferred), but at 32 weeks now, I no longer worry about it. My view is that, if I were doing damage by shutting off blood on that artery, my body would tell me. I never have numbness, and my baby is active in any position! I am also active and continue to exercise, so I figure my arteries and veins are continuing to work well for me. You probably will worry less when you can feel your baby more. The most important thing is a restful night of sleep (increasingly tough these days), so I take it as I can get it. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| I've always heard it was "flat on your back" -- as in no pillows, etc. Can you sleep at an angle? |
Anonymous
Anonymous
| My experience has been that it only became uncomfortable to sleep flat on my back much later in pregnancy, like in the 7th month or so. This may differ depending on how large you get. But I stopped also around 20 weeks, mostly to "train" myself to sleeping in that position, since I would have to eventually learn to do it. However, you can also just wedge a regular pillow under one side of your rear/back to slightly prop yourself up so that you are not completely flat. |
Anonymous
| I'm 30 weeks and have the same problem. I'm a die-hard back sleeper, and no matter how hard I try to stay on my side, I always end up on my back mid-sleep. I have found that a horseshoe shaped body pillow is the best help. It cradles/lifts your head/neck as well as both of your sides. You can also slide one side of the horseshoe under your hip/leg to elevate that side slightly so you are not truly flat on your back. That way your blood flows/circulates better, and back-sleeping with one side slightly elevated is an alternative to side sleeping, albeit not as ideal as left side-sleeping. I have the Back 'n' Body horseshoe pillow, which I got from Target online. It's very large and takes up a ton of space in our King size bed, but I adore it. I've also heard good things about wedge-shaped pillows which you can wedge behind yourself to keep from onto your back while sleeping. I don't have one, but will often stuff a pillow inside my horseshoe behind my back to achieve the same effect. GL! |
Anonymous
| PP here, sorry, I meant to write that I have the "Back 'n' Belly" (not "Back 'n' Body") pillow, which I got from Target online. |
cassiea
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| It might be an expensive remedy, but have you tried a TempurPedic mattress? I have a large hip to waist to shoulder ratio and either my hip or shoulder would hurt every morning. This took care of it. It really does conform to your body. They also have TempurPedic mattress toppers, but I don't know if that would be sufficient. |
Anonymous
| I'm 9 months pregnant and recently asked my doctor about this, since I kept waking up on my back, despite starting on my sides. She echoed what one PP's doctor said---good sleep is the most important thing and women have slept on their backs for hundreds of years so don't sweat it. |
Anonymous
| Get a snoogle body pillow from Buy Buy Baby in Rockville. My hubby got me one and I'm sleeping great even though he and i can't cuddle anymore. The good night's rest makes it well worth it though |
Anonymous
| I asked my MW about this and she told me that you would wake up and feel either lightheaded or queazy if it were harming you/baby. If that still makes you nervous, she also said that even the slightest angle helps relieve pressure, so if you are comfortable when boosting one butt cheek slightly, it will prevent the block of blood flow... |
Anonymous
| My OB told me that as long as you're comfortable sleeping on your back there's no problem--your body will let you know if you shouldn't be doing it. So if it feels fine to you, I wouldn't worry. |
Anonymous
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I slept on my back during my entire first pregnancy. I tried the side sleep thing and it just didn't work out. For my second pregnancy, it was uncomfortable for me to sleep on my back after 30 weeks or so. Those were a long 10 weeks.
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Anonymous
| I used to be very paranoid about not sleeping on my back, but sometimes that's the only position I can get comfortable in. I think it would affect the baby more if you didn't get enough sleep because you're forcing yourself to sleep in an personally uncomfortable position. I agree with others here, if it's not good for you your body would tell you. Also you've done the responsible thing and checked with your doctor. |
Anonymous
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A recent groudnbreaking study, conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital by Harvard researchers, sites statistics and testimonials showing how the right mattress can significantly reduce back and neck aches as well as morning soreness, stiffness and pain in addition to many other quality of life measures that often suffer as a result of poor sleep. .For example, intimacy with your partner, food cravings, mood, etc.
Review the study for yourself (http://pain.beds.com/), blog about your views, and include links on your blog to the study. Also, Enter to win a free Sleep Number Bed: http://www.sleepnumbercontests.com/musthavesleep/ |