Any advice how to stay on my side while sleeping?

[sweetangel7]

I know I should be sleeping on my left...I have a hard time but I can usually fall asleep on my right side.  I usually wake up several times a night on my back though and I know that back sleeping is not good especially once you pass 20 w...Anyone have any suggestions to help me stay on my left?  I was considering a pregnancy pillow I saw online at babyfit...has anyone used one of these?  I don't want to waste my money if it isn't going to do the job.

[ashiepooh]

Well, I kind of skipped through everyone's replies cause i'm just wanting to post.  

You don't only have to sleep on your left side.  You can sleep on either,  left side just has the best blood circulation because your heart.  But I am a pure back sleep, can't stand to be on my sides, because it kills my back, and hurts unbearably.  So my doctor told me, that it was fine to be on your back.  BUT to prop yourself into a angle, so your not flat on your back!  Like if you were to flip a recliner out and you have your legs up, and back at a 90 degree angle or so.  

But if your baby and uterus are crushing your veins to your heart, oh you'll know!  You'll wake up gasping for air!  And it's really once you hit 28 weeks is when they really want you to try everything to be on your sides.  

I have a big pregnancy body pillow, and tht thing SU CKS!!!  I swear.  I end up on my back regardless.  And just in a funny position with the pillow...lol  

[bryanarae]

When I first found out I was pregnant I could not stay on my left side for the life of me! I am tummy sleeper so I would always find myself waking up on my stomach, roll over, and wake up again on my stomach. Then I bought myself a body pillow which has done wonders for me! I love my body pillow! I still find myself waking up on my back sometimes, but I just love back over to my left side. Occasionally I find myself on my right side, but it's not a big deal. They the left side is ideal because it offers the most blood flow and best circulation. But I wouldn't worry about it too much!

[justice6920]

I still wake up (27 weeks) on my back during the middle of the night.... I am a back sleeper and its normal for me to gravitate that way.... The pillow thing did not help me.... My dr said I can sleep on my back as long as its comfortable for me and my body will let me know when i need to roll over! I do try and fall asleep on my sides (UGH but my hips are KILLING ME) but some how always end up on my back!

[KellyA74]

I am having problems sleeping on either side b/c my hips are KILLING me......I end up on my back...I asked my OB and she pretty much said that same that the girls said.....If it's causing any harm, you'll automatically shift yourself.....I bought one of those pregnancy pillows for $100 (UGH) and I HATED it....I know that some people have luck with them but it jacked my head up too high and made my neck hurt...I had heard that the body pillows work a little better!

[leighanne143]

i have the same problem.  i barely ever sleep on my left side.  the doctor said that sleeping on your right is fine, left is preferable but it is not a big deal.  my fiance bought me one of those pregnancy pillows at burlington coat factory for only $40, it works good.  although i same as you still wake up on my back sometimes since i am a back sleeper.  i would not worry too much.  the doctor just said that when i find myself on my back just to turn over.

[AnitaRFrith]

I used 2 pillows at first but the pillow I put between my legs would never stay put.  So I have a big preggo pillow an I love mine.  I put a pillow behind my back an use the preggo pillow.  Its money well spent.  You can go on www.craigslist.com and post a ad saying that your seeking a pregnancy pillow.  Thats how I got mine.  It was new, never used.  It cost 50 or more in a store but I only paid 20.   Try ebay too.  Anita