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Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

When should I stop sleeping on my stomach and back? I find that I wake up in those positions often, but I know it can be dangerous as my belly grows.

Re: When should I stop sleeping on my stomach and back? I find that I wake up in those positions often, but I know it can be dangerous as my belly grows.

You should stop sleeping on your stomach or back by around 20 weeks of pregnancy. By this point, you may notice that sleeping either way -- especially on your stomach -- is pretty uncomfortable. The concern with sleeping on your back is that the enlarging uterus can compress the large veins in the back of your abdomen, which can in turn decrease the amount of blood returning to your heart. As a result, your blood pressure can drop, and you may feel lightheaded or nauseated. If your blood pressure drops, the blood flow to your uterus and baby may decrease. So, in general, after 20 weeks I recommend sleeping on your side.

Dr. Ashley Roman | May 20 , 2009 3:12 PM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

I am 26 weeks now and have been trying to learn to sleep on my left side for quite some time but it doesn't seem to be working. I fall asleep that way but when I wake up through out the night and in the morning I'm always either on my back or my belly. I even bought one of those maternity pillows in hopes that it would help keep me from moving and it ends up on DH side of the bed.

Mrs-J | June 07 , 2008 11:12 AM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

Same here. I try to sleep on my left side and end up waking up on my back. I've gotten better with sleeping on the left side, but find that I don't get great sleep because I'm consciously keeping myself in this sleep position.

jadabull | June 16 , 2008 7:29 PM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

is the left side supposed to be better than the right?

aln214 | June 23 , 2008 2:08 PM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

Yes, the WTEWYE book (aka pregnancy bible), said something to the effect of the left side being better, basically b/c that is the side of your body that your heart is on, thus improving circulation. I tried 2 stay on that side for the most part, but maybe after the 1st trimester, either sides are fine.

bellachic | June 23 , 2008 10:43 PM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

Also, the body organs on the right side of your body are more hollow that the ones on the left, so it is easier for baby to mold and conform to this side and not push against organs on the right side like your liver that will not conform when he is pressed against it.

greenwheel | June 24 , 2008 10:38 AM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

I am 14 weeks and I have been working on sleeping on my left side, but it's really hard. I always wake up on my belly. Seems like I have about 6 more weeks to master the art of sleeping correctly!

Mochaqueen | July 04 , 2008 11:42 AM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

i'm a paramedic and the left side is the absolute best for any pregnant woman. It relieves the pressure on the vena cava and allows blood flow to you and the baby. I know it's hard though cause i'm 21 weeks and cannot stay on my side... my arm falls asleep, my back hurts.. so i end up on my back.. with an extra pillow proppin me up.. and i have high blood pressure so a small dip in bp won't harm too much.. i hope!

msjboof | July 06 , 2008 10:51 AM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

I'm 25 weeks pregnant, and I've been trying to sleep on my side (either side is really fine according to my doctor) but it's nearly impossible for me to stay that way. I bought a maternity body pillow and it's comfortable, but I keep waking up on my back. I'm really not worried about it though. Women have been sleeping on their back while pregnant for thousands of years, I don't really think it's hurting my baby. And if he was really that uncomfortable, he'd let me know it by kicking I think.

marjpants13 | August 07 , 2008 11:39 AM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

I am only 12 weeks but have been trying to sleep on my left side since I found out I was pregnant. I bought a body pillow and put the bottom half between my knees and that seems to help. I only gained a couple of pounds so far but already feel uncomforatble laying on my back. Maybe that is all in my head though. I agree with maripants13 in that woman have been having babies forever and their sleeping position was probably the least of their worries.

MarryMeBill | August 07 , 2008 12:13 PM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

From what I understand, our bodies know what needs doing and when. If you try to sleep on your side, sure that's better for you and the baby, but if you keep waking up on your back or stomach, that's fine: you are waking up BECAUSE your body needs you to move. This happens to me all the time (13wks) - I wake up either on my back or stomach, wiggle around to be on one side or the other, and fall asleep for awhile until I roll over again. :) I think training yourself to sleep in a more "suitable" position certainly doesn't hurt, but your body knows that it's doing and will keep you and your baby pretty safe.

shoshigana@yahoo.com | November 18 , 2008 12:57 PM

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

I have the same issue, always waking up on my back and when I sleep on my side it makes my lower back ache. I'm doing my best but not looking forward to my 20th week because of this...

ericaelaine2 | April 13 , 2009 7:54 PM

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

I actually asked my doctor about this and she said that however is comfortable is fine for baby, that if sleeping on my back works for me, then I should do it and not be concerned.

Lilrdmandy | July 17 , 2009 11:36 PM

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

i have tried and tried to sleep on my side, but I get woken up in the middle of the night because my hips fall asleep! So i have been using another pillow to prop up my back and have my body pillow on the front. That way i can roll over on my back but i am still at a slight angle... seems to work out well, hope this helps some!

Caitlin.Adams | May 26 , 2010 2:33 PM

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

I read somewhere that if you put a pillow under your right hip it elevates you enough to make it safe to sleep on your back. I haven't tried it yet cause I am most comfortable on my side.

Tempus | January 15 , 2011 12:46 PM

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

I was so concerned about this at the beginning of my pregnancy, but I'm now 34 weeks pregnant and alternate between sleeping on my left side with a pillow or two between my legs or with my bottom leg stretched straight down behind the top which is folded over a pillow of I sleep on my back, but with both positions I sleep with a pillow under my middle and if I plan to sleep full on my back I just prop my head and upper back up and that's enough support to stay safe. My BP has been perfect throughout the pregnancy, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Your body will definitely let you know if something's not right about your position!

Imasweetie_1978 | January 29 , 2011 5:12 AM

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

also sleeping on your back can cause the baby to be in a posterior postion, which is less than awesome for delivery. you will have to shift your babe around before birth .. or try to anyhow.

tracycerra | May 20 , 2011 3:25 PM

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

I've recently been looking through some information supplied to my via AppLogic From Scalematrix and its turned up many similair answers to most of those given on this thread. thanks for the quality advice and il be sure to follwer some more threads here as i found this informative.

Rman | April 26 , 2012 6:52 AM

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you asked...

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

Re: When should I stop sleeping on my stomach and back? I find that I wake up in those positions often, but I know it can be dangerous as my belly grows.

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

re: Q: Change sleep position when?

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

Q&A: Sleeping on back during late pregnancy?

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