When should/do women stop sleeping on their back?

QTPie · Jun 25th, 2009, 07:20 AM

I have been having a little lower backache during the night the past few nights. I will often half wake up - because my back is aching - find that I am sleeping on my back and turn onto my side. I don't seem to be sleeping on my tummy much at all any more.

I tried a body pillow - for the first time - last night. It stopped me turning onto my back. But I wasn't that comfortable with it last night: seemed a little too restrictive and hot. Maybe I need to perservere with it more (I slept with it for a few hours last night).

I did a lot of walking yesterday and two gym sessions the previous two days and am unsure if the backache is from those activities or from sleeping on my back... any thoughts?

QT

Noodles · Jun 25th, 2009, 07:40 AM

There are conflicting opinion on this hun, some people say that you should sleep on your back from when your bump gets to big to see your feet others say it's fine as most women tend to move around at night anyway so it doesn't really make a difference. Prehpas you should ask your midwife for her advice, but I wouldn't worry about doing it just yet. It's not really becuase of back ache it's because of your vena cava vein, which delivers oxygen to the baby may be restricted (same as sleeping on your right).

cutie4evr01 · Jun 25th, 2009, 08:42 AM

I thought I read somewhere to stop sleeping on your back around 14-16 weeks. I can't remember exactly, but I think it had something to do with the extra weight pushing down on your vessels (probably vena cava that Noodles mentioned).

Noodles · Jun 25th, 2009, 08:46 AM

The theory is, if you did restrict the baby's oxygen supply it would wiggle a lot (just like you would do if someone tried to suffocate you) and you would feel the movements and change your position.

Kittee · Jun 25th, 2009, 09:31 AM

I can't help but wonder how all the babies in the world ever survived before we knew about all these "tips" about how to sleep and eat.

LOL

I've been afraid to sleep on my back too. I keep telling myself that it's OK because my uterus is so small right now but still...I'm such a worry wort!

Pato · Jun 25th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

I can't help but wonder how all the babies in the world ever survived before we knew about all these "tips" about how to sleep and eat.

This is soooo true. I knew nothing about this stuff when I was pregnant with DS..... I ate whatever including nuts, drank whatever including loads of caffeine and coke, slept however, never took any prenatal vitamins except iron tablets...no folic acid ...nothing, ate loads of pepper and spicy foods and never once thought of the possibility of MC or Downs syndrome etc etc and had a perfect 8lb +baby, whose 16yrs old today. Now I have so many 'scientific' retrictions and medical studies, I'm so paranoid all the time, I can hardly enjoy my pregnancy....WTH!!!!

anothersquish · Jun 25th, 2009, 09:47 AM

Pft, it doesnt matter, in your sleep you will turn onto your back/side regardless so it really doesnt make any difference how you start off as your body will be where it wants to be.
I have a body pillow and love it btw, took a little getting used too but if I dont have it now (I have slept with one constantly since a back operation 18 months ago) I end up stealing the ENTIRE king size duvet off my OH to wrap through my legs and round my side to get comfy!

redpoppy · Jun 25th, 2009, 10:16 AM

I'm lucky in that I naturally sleep at a 45degree angle facing the bed, so ALMOST on my side.

But this whole "sleep on you left side " thing is becoming an obsession of mine!!!! surely it can't be that serious?!? And ar eyou allowed to lie on your back if you have bent knees?

Too many precautions!!!! We surely would have died out centuries ago if all these rule were so important!

Zeri · Jun 25th, 2009, 10:29 AM

After 4 months. It's because the weight of your growing uterus can compress an important vein in your back and restrict oxygen supply to the baby. It can also cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.

QTPie · Jun 25th, 2009, 13:45 PM

Thank you very much for your sage advice... will try not to worry toooooo much... at least not for another 6 or so weeks

QT

Jun 25th, 2009, 07:20 AM	#1
QTPie Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,465	When should/do women stop sleeping on their back? I have been having a little lower backache during the night the past few nights. I will often half wake up - because my back is aching - find that I am sleeping on my back and turn onto my side. I don't seem to be sleeping on my tummy much at all any more. I tried a body pillow - for the first time - last night. It stopped me turning onto my back. But I wasn't that comfortable with it last night: seemed a little too restrictive and hot. Maybe I need to perservere with it more (I slept with it for a few hours last night). I did a lot of walking yesterday and two gym sessions the previous two days and am unsure if the backache is from those activities or from sleeping on my back... any thoughts? QT

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 07:40 AM	#2
Noodles Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 5,746	There are conflicting opinion on this hun, some people say that you should sleep on your back from when your bump gets to big to see your feet others say it's fine as most women tend to move around at night anyway so it doesn't really make a difference. Prehpas you should ask your midwife for her advice, but I wouldn't worry about doing it just yet. It's not really becuase of back ache it's because of your vena cava vein, which delivers oxygen to the baby may be restricted (same as sleeping on your right).

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 08:42 AM	#3
cutie4evr01 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,238	I thought I read somewhere to stop sleeping on your back around 14-16 weeks. I can't remember exactly, but I think it had something to do with the extra weight pushing down on your vessels (probably vena cava that Noodles mentioned).

Status: Online

Jun 25th, 2009, 08:46 AM	#4
Noodles Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Posts: 5,746	The theory is, if you did restrict the baby's oxygen supply it would wiggle a lot (just like you would do if someone tried to suffocate you) and you would feel the movements and change your position.

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 09:31 AM	#5
Kittee Other Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,795	I can't help but wonder how all the babies in the world ever survived before we knew about all these "tips" about how to sleep and eat. LOL I've been afraid to sleep on my back too. I keep telling myself that it's OK because my uterus is so small right now but still...I'm such a worry wort!

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 09:47 AM	#7
anothersquish Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 5,415	Pft, it doesnt matter, in your sleep you will turn onto your back/side regardless so it really doesnt make any difference how you start off as your body will be where it wants to be. I have a body pillow and love it btw, took a little getting used too but if I dont have it now (I have slept with one constantly since a back operation 18 months ago) I end up stealing the ENTIRE king size duvet off my OH to wrap through my legs and round my side to get comfy!

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 10:16 AM	#8
redpoppy Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3,575	I'm lucky in that I naturally sleep at a 45degree angle facing the bed, so ALMOST on my side. But this whole "sleep on you left side " thing is becoming an obsession of mine!!!! surely it can't be that serious?!? And ar eyou allowed to lie on your back if you have bent knees? Too many precautions!!!! We surely would have died out centuries ago if all these rule were so important!

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 10:29 AM	#9
Zeri Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Caribbean Posts: 1,055	After 4 months. It's because the weight of your growing uterus can compress an important vein in your back and restrict oxygen supply to the baby. It can also cause you to feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Status: Offline

Jun 25th, 2009, 13:45 PM	#10
QTPie Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,465	Thank you very much for your sage advice... will try not to worry toooooo much... at least not for another 6 or so weeks QT

Status: Offline

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