topic from the August forum, fyi sleeping on your back

[NicMom]

So until someone mentioned it the other day in the August forum I had spaced out that you shouldn't sleep on your back while pregnant. I just thought I'd bring it up here incase like me anyone didn't know or had forgot about that one.

[radhika28]

but we r just abt 15 weeks preg, so is it still an issue sleeping on the back? why? even i want to know and understand, though iv heard that wwe should sleep in the left/right lateral position.

[therese101]

i have been trying so hard not to sleep on my back. was fine up until the gallstones, now it hurts too much to sleep on my side i have been lying propped up on my back, do u think this is ok?

[Juana824]

It is so coincendental that this topic has come up, I have watched two different programs on TV this weeks and this topic came up...you should sleep on your back when pregnant, especially when your fetus has grown and your uterus is heavy with the baby because it can cause your pressure on a major vein in your body...check out this article I found online...they have a lot of great articles...

What position is safest to sleep in while pregnant?
By : Sophia Levis
www . amazingpregnancy  . com

Sleeping on your back while pregnant can create pressure on a major vein called the inferior vena cava.  This vein returns blood from the lower body to your heart.  This may lead to lightheadedness and/or numbness.  In addition this may cause pressure on your back and intestines, leading to discomfort.

Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended because it can cause pressure on the fetus.

Most physicians recommend that a woman sleep on her left side while pregnant.  this allows for the maximum blood flow to the baby, and it will also improve kidney function for the mother.  The improved kidney flow will help to reduce swelling.  Because your liver is on the right side of your body, sleeping on your left will keep the pressure off your liver.

Early in pregnancy, you should attempt to get into the habit of side sleeping.  Typically the most comfortable position is with your knees bent.  You may wish to place a pillow between your knees to sleep more comfortably.

The best sleeping position for a pregnant woman is on her side, especially the left side, because it allows for maximum blood flow to the fetus and improves kidney function in the mother. Improved kidney flow helps to reduce any swelling. Placing a pillow between the knees can help a pregnant woman sleep more comfortably on her side.  Also, using a bunched-up pillow or rolled-up blanket at the small of your back may help to relieve some pressure.

It is not uncommon to roll onto your back during the night.  Shifting positions is a perfectly natural part of sleep.  If you do shift it is possible that the baby's weight may press on the inferior vena cava, causing discomfort and waking you up.

[Stacey1718]

Yes...I have read about this too for the reasons that Juana has given.  Great info btw!!  I heard that the left side is better but did not know why.  I think the bigger your belly gets the more it matters but it is good to get into the habit now.  I am a back sleeper so it is not easy to switch (and of course I like the right side better!).  But I started noticing a week or so ago that I could feel my heart beating harder when I was on my back.  So that kind of told me it was time for the switch.

[NicMom]

So someone in the other forum said around 12 weeks is when the weight of your uterus becomes too much to sleep on your back.

[Latrice414]

Juana took the words right out of my mouth, and to fully understand some things that go on with our bodies you really need to no the anatomy and physiology of the body then it would really make more sense.  The main vein is the vena cava and just think of it like this, when you clamp a water hose, nothing is getting threw, so imagaine baby lying on that veing, no blood flow to heart, placenta or baby, which could cause possible death.

I think the weight of the uterus depends on each woman, i think women should just get in the habbit of sleeping on there sides once preggo. Thats why i dont get a good night sleep, im a stomache sleeper, when i do roll on my back i awaken quickly to switch positions, and i belive that is the brain working to let me no that.

Even though there are women who sleep on there backs the entire pregnancy and have healthy babies, Me Personally, I dont want to take that risk and be one of the unlucky ones.

[Juana824]

Same here with me Latrice...I would rather be safe than sorry!

[radhika28]

Juana, thanks a lot for the information. im a back sleeper and find it extremely diff sleeping in lateral position. Though the guilt is always around when im lying on my back and i have to turn on the left or right side.but sleeping in a lateral position also hurts the back.
Iv noticed that since a week it takes an effort to switch sides while sleeping.

[Juana824]

Radhika28..I agree...I hate sleeping on my sides...I think the backache with that comes from sleeping on too many pillows. I notice if I reduce the number of pillows under my head when I lay on my side, my back doesn't ache as much...also, I have a memory foam pillow that I place underneath my breast area/rib cage on my side and that also helps...

Hmmm..I sooo miss sleeping on my stomach...  :-)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Hey Ladies,

I didn't read all of the responses, but it is true that it is better to try to sleep on your side and preferably on your left side, but I must say that almost every night when I wake up for one reason or another (usually to pee!!!), I am on my back.  I go to sleep on my side but end up on my back for some reason.  

The reasoning behind this (not sleeping on your back) is for 2 reasons.  They say that it can lessen the amount of oxygen getting to the baby or just make it harder for your body to get oxygen to your baby and that it puts a lot of pressure on your lower back.  This is what I have read and heard but I have never asked my doctor about it or anything.  I just do my best to heed warnings, but like I said, I always end up on my back without any effort.