Sleeping on My Back

What I did was, I bought one of those body pillows and put it behind me so it felt like I was on my back. It also helped keep me on my side because I couldn't roll onto my back.

I slept on my back (and stomach!) with all five of my kids. My midwives suggested placing a pillow behing me, along the length of my spine. That way, when I rolled over in my sleep it propped me at an angle so I wasn't flat on my back.

Hi! I had the same problem of rolling to my back. What worked was to sleep with a pillow next to my back side. Then even if I did roll over in the night, which I usually did, I was still slightly propped. Hope that helps and Congratulations!

I had horrible hip pain when I was pregnant. I had heard about a "pregnancy pillow" from a co-worker and started looking around. I found mine at Wal-mart of all places. Basically it's two round-ish shaped pillows connected by an adjustable piece of fabric. One pillow supports you belly and the other sits behind your back so you are deterred from rolling over. But if you do, you are propped so the concern for decreased blood flow isn't as big an issue. When my hips were really bad, I would put a small throw sized pillow from a craft store between my knees as well. Then link below is the closest I have found on-line to what I had. Hope that helps!
Congratulations!

http://www.zearth.com/-P275.aspx

I had this same problem with both of my pregnancies. I am a back sleeper by nature, and I had the same hip/leg pain while on my side. I knew I had to sleep on my side, and I would start out that way, but I always woke up on my back...I was afraid I'd hurt the baby somehow. My doctor told me that my legs would get numb before anything happened to the baby, and that I would wake up. My legs never got numb, and both my kids are fine...I guess I would wake up in time to roll over before anything happened. After a while, I got big enough that it was uncomfortable to lay on my back, and I managed to stay on my side all night. I was so happy when my babies were born that I could sleep on my back again!

I wouldn't worry too much, your body will tell you when you need to roll over to your side. If it hurts too much, try putting a pillow under your side...maybe that will help. I know that when you sleep on your back, the further along you get it can cut the circulation off to you and your baby, that is why you have to sleep on your side. I would always notice that after being further along it wasn't comfortable on my back anymore because i would notice it being harder to breathe and my feet would fall asleep.

Honestly my doctor said it is not a huge deal if you sleep on your side or back. Just sleep! That is the most important of all, I think stressing over the position you are sleeping in is harder on the baby then if you happen to fall to your back. Just relax and enjoy the sleep while you can!

Throughout my pregnancy I found myself better able to sleep on my back. My fantastic midwife told me I shouldn't be concerned. Any sleep I could get was valuable in those later months! Just as the medical community shifts their opinions on the best position for babies (stomach vs back) so too do they change their minds on mama's sleeping.
Take sleep where you can get it and don't get too bugged out by your Dr's suggestion-- it is just that after all. You body won't let your baby be in harms way. My daughter arrived perfect with no ill effects from my back sleeping :-)
Sweet dreams!

Hi there! I am also 18 weeks along and I had the same concern. I talked to my doctor about it, and she said that lying on your back is only an issue if you do it for hours and hours at a time. She said if you wake up in the middle of the night and are on your back, don't worry about it and just roll on to your side.

When I was pregnant all 3 times, my main objective was simply to get sleep, especially after my 1st child since I had one or two others to care for. I was always uncomfortable in my bed once I started getting really pregnant. I found that sleeping on the couch was the best thing for me. I'd try over and over to sleep in our bed with pillows behind me, under my belly and between my legs, but I was always in so much discomfort when I would wake up. I always felt good on the couch because I had the constant back support from the back of the couch. When I slept on the couch, I had much more success with staying on my side since I prefer sleeping on my back, also. I felt badly about not sleeping in our bed so much, but it was temporary and after pregnancy, I've always gone back to the normal routine of things.

I had the same problem of finding myself on my back and when I did sleep on my side, my hips would ache for hours after.

To keep sleeping on the side, I suggest using a wedge pillow against your back. You can find them at stores like babies-r-us. Here is a link to one. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2966857

As for the hip pain, when I would get up in the middle of the night for bathroom breaks, I would walk around a little and try to massage my hips a little. In the morning I would use hot and cold compresses on the area.

I had the same problem. My stomach and hips would ache. My best friend got me a "Snoogle" pillow. Best invention ever!!! I took that pillow every where with me, and you can use it to prop the baby for nursing and sitting. Mine has been used by myself, my sister, and now a good friend who is exactly as far along as yourself, also due in July. My friend bought mine at Target online, but I noticed they carry a very similar, very nice one made by the "Boppy" pillow people in the store. Worth the investment!!!

I would have that same problem as you do. I would get another pillow and put it up against my back so that if I did roll over it wouldn't be all the way on my back. I really wanted one of those body pillows, they work the best. I would also lean against it and it would relieve some of the pressure off of my hips.

I agree with Shannnon E. about the pregnancy pillow. I used the same one with my first child. I had a lot of hip and upper leg pain especially in the third trimester. With my second child, I was able to use a sturdy pillow behind my back. I still rolled, but was not flat on my back due to the pillow.

Good luck!

My hips hurt a lot as well when I sleep on my side when I am pregnant. I talked to my doctor about it and he suggested that I put pillow under my hip so I prop up on one side but the pressure is still on my back instead of my hips. It helps me to sleep on my side and it does relieve some pain.

Hope that helps.

S. - Currently I am 26 weeks along, and feeling some of your same discomfort.

I just had my sixth child. Yes I said sixth! I did this with all of my pregnancy's. Just turn over when ever you wake up. It never affected any of my children! You could try to put a pillow behind your back to remind you to not roll over. That helped me sometimes, I am a deep sleeper. Also, my husband would make me turn over if he woke up and found me on my back. Hope this helps and congrats! Have fun and enjoy every minute it goes to fast. Try not to stress too much. I know it's hard not to though! LOL

Ok, first of all don't panic, because we mothers have an internal mechanism that helps us out with this. For the most part as you get bigger and further along it will become increasing more uncomfortable to lie on your back for an extended period. So you will usually automatically turn on your side after a bit. If you're still really concerned there is a way to use pillows to prop you slightly to one side while still being mostly on your back all the way to full term. If you're interested in knowing how let me know, a Birth Doula colleague of mine showed me. Best of luck!!

Our midwife said not to worry about sleeping positions. If it's uncomfortable then you'll natural reposition yourself. Although there are important nerves/arteries in the back and right side you'll feel if they are being pinched and roll over.

The midwife also said, take all the sleep you can get no matter the position because soon it will all be uncomfortable!

FYI...I'm also 18wks.

I think you can get a body pillow at Costco for about $12. I sleep on my left side with my right leg up on the body pillow. Or I'll sleep on my back with the body pillow under just the right side of my body. As you get further along, you might want to put a wedge/small pillow/towel under your tummy for some extra support when you sleep on your side.

i got the same advice from my doctor also but like you I always ended up on my back, my hips and lower back would also kill me if I stayed on my side to long. I actually ended up sleeping in our recliner chair the further along I got in my pregnancies. I didn't overstress about it, so I don't have any advice, one thing that did help a little with the hips and lower back was to get down on all fours and tuck and release, or maybe a better way to explain it is to arch and release, I am a tummy sleeper and always found this to help a little. Good luck I know why they like us on our sides, it just wasn't always possible for me.

I have had four kids so I know what you mean. I became the queen of pillows. I actually started using 2 pillows between my legs, but I also put a pillow in front of me to support my abdomen and also just to put my arm on it. I have even put one behind me to give me support for my back. King sized pillows are the best. Also, I don't know what kind of mattress you have, but we purchased a memory foam mattress a couple of years ago and that helped as well. You can find some for around $600 or so at Overstock.com. Hope this helps.

I did this with my second one. My doctor also told me that my legs would go numb and wake me up before there would be any damage to the baby. She just told me to keep trying to sleep on my side. As for the hip pain, I'll be looking for other's responses. I have been sleeping sort of on my stomach with one knee up and that has helped. It also seems to keep me off my back. Congratulations!

Hi! They have these really awesome pillows shaped like a 'c' that kind of spoon you...you put one part between your legs, run it up your back and then sleep on the upper part. They definitely prevent you from sleeping on your back. I think I saw them at One Step Ahead (website). Also, it is only necessary for you to be elevated onto your side, not necessarily all the way on your side. try placing two-three pillows under you right side/hip/back to prop you up. That way the pressure is off your vena cava and blood flow is not minimized. Hope this helps!

Hi-
I had this problem too. I got a body pillow and put it behind me. It felt wonderfully snuggly and kept me from being on my back. Hope this helps.
S.

This isn't a health issue until you are in your 7th or 8th month, anyway, because it is the weight of your baby/uterus that can impede blood flow. However, if you simply roll over when you wake up, you'll be fine. If it bothers you you can simply place a pillow behind your back as you sleep on your side. Really, though, it's not critical.

I had the same issue with my pregnancies. You should never start out on your back, but if you wake up on your back or stomach don't freak out. Just roll back onto your side. Also maybe a body pillow will work better than a regular one. I know how you feel. I have a hard time sleeping while pregnant as well. My legs and hips hurt and fall asleep. Good luck, but don't stress out if you wake in another position.

Try a big body pillow. My brother and his girlfriend got me one when I was pregnant, called Snoogle by Leachco. It's like a big C-shape. One way to use it is with one end under your head, the length of it along your back, and the other end between your knees. This should help keep you from rolling onto your back. Plus it feels really nice to have that support on your back. The other way is to have it along and under your belly. Good luck!

I used a pillow behind me to keep me from rolling all the way over onto my back. I believe they even have special wedge-shaped ones for that purpose. I work in labor and delivery, and we just use a pillow along the woman's back on one side to deep her tilted slightly to the other side- you don't have to be completely on your side, just not flat on your back.

Greetings,
I had much hip pain with both pregnancies and we purchased a 2-inch thick eggcrate foam pad that we placed between the matrress and sheet. I think we got it at Walmart, it fits the entire bed, or you can cut it to any size. It's funky, but it helped tremendously with the discomfort.
Best of luck!
M.

I had the same problem when I was pregnant. I asked my Dr about it and he said that it is best to try to sleep on your side, but if it is actually hurting the baby you will wake up feeling sick or in pain. I also was uncomfortable sleeping on my side, my hips, back and shoulders were always sore. I think that is part of the reason I would always wake up on my back. I treid the pillow between the legs and that didn't seem to help me either. I know that boppy makes a pillow for pregnant women, that might help. You can also try sleeping with a pillow behind your back to keep from rolling over. Good Luck!

Dear S. A,

I was an orthopedic Physcial Therapist for 15 years before retiring to be a sahm. Often, you can fill in the space between your waist and the bed to increase sidelying comfort.

Example:
Use a very small pillow or a towel folded to the proper height and put it in the curve of your waist when sidelying. It is the same concept as giving your neck proper support with a proper pillow. The pull of gravity on your spine and pelvic region can be minimized by supporting that area with a soft support. Just use enough support to keep the curve of your waist from sagging down to the bed. You can play with the height until you find comfort.

You could try supporting your arm that is on top as well so you decrease rotational forces. Just use an extra pillow for your arm or use a body pillow that is long enough to go between your thighs and extend all the way up to support your arm.

They also make positioning pillows for pregnancy. You could look up orthopedic supply stores on line and check out their pregnancy products.

Hope this helps.

Love,
K. F

I had the same problem. Unfortunately, I can't help with the hip and back pain when sleeping on your side, but the best advice I can give about rolling to your back is pillows, pillows and more pillows! My doctor said as long as I wasn't flat on my back, everything would be ok. So, she suggested (and it worked) to just put a pillow behind me when I started on my side, and when I rolled to my back, I would land with a pillow under one hip and not be flat. By the end, I think I had 5 pillows on my side of the bed - one on each side and 2-3 behind me!!! Good luck!

I am a back sleeper as well and am 22 weeks pregnant. I splurged and got the snoogle pillow, which is shaped like a C and you can prop your back on one side...you can get this pillow at babies r us. Also, it is great for breast feeding after you have the baby...Good luck!

I'm 34 weeks along and still wake up to find myself sleeping on my back. Normally I wake up cause I'm not breathing well. So then I just roll over adjust the pillow under my belly and go back to sleep. Right now I'm just glad for any sleep I get weather or not it's bad or good for my to sleep on my back will work itself out. Of course that's what's my husband is there for too. To give me a little nudge when I start breathing funny. I wouldn't worry to much though just keep rolling over when you wake up. Happy Sleeping. : )

S., what I found helped me a ton when I was pregnant was to use not just a pillow between my knees, but another one behind me at the small of my back. That way even if I did try to roll that way while I was asleep the pillow was there and I wasn't flat on my back, which I understand is the main concern. I also would prop myself up on a couple pillows so I was more reclined, when I got tired of sleeping on my side. My husband thought I was crazy, because I always had about 3 pillows every night, but it was worth it - that way I had options for sleeping positions! Good luck!

I had trouble with staying on my back and hips hurting when I did stay on my side. My mother suggested sewing a tennis ball into my night shirt, that way when you turn on your back, it hurts and you turn on your side. Instead if a tennis ball, I took a ball of socks and put it in the back of my sleep bra and that worked pretty well.

I also got a body pillow and would just wrap myself around it and hugged it. Little pillows between my legs never worked and I never could stuff pillows behind me because my husband and I only have a full size bed, but if you can do that, it might help. As far as the pain, sleeping is just uncomfortable- I would just switch side to side all night long. When I woke up, my husband would just rub my hips and squeeze them (like they do for labor pains) and that felt pretty good.

And when I got toward the end of the pregnancy, my husband bought me a recliner which was the BEST!!!! It allowed me to sleep "on my back" without me worrying about smashing nerves and blood vessiles and I could still stuff pillows all around me if I wanted to be more on my side! Just watch the cramps/charlie horses because it's too hard to push the foot rest down when you get one (and sometimes I'd get one just trying to push it myself further along in the pregnancy) so have your husband help you push it down...even in the middle of the night! Hope this helps!

I just had my third child about 7 months ago and I had a lot of the same problems. I actually started sleeping on my stomach with my leg bent up so I was partly on my side. Check with your OB but mine said as long as I was comfortable, sleeping on my stomach wouldn't bother the baby. Also, I have tried a pillow or two behind my back as I lay on my side to keep me from falling back on my back in my sleep. Good luck!

How about a blanket rolled and put along your back?

I use a pillow on the side that I usually roll onto my back on (If I'm sleeping on my left side then the pillow goes against my back on the right) so when I start to roll onto my back it prevents me from going all the way. I also have problems with my hips hurting when I sleep completely on my side so sometimes I try this in-between position where I'm half on my side and half on my back. My doctor said any sleep is good sleep so try not to stress over it.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, dr says this and that. The thing is your baby will tell you when you need to move. I had the same problem. I always slepti n the same position, it just takes a bit of getting used to. I ended up sleeping on my back with m,y knees bent and pillows under my legs. It took the pressure off my back. Anyway, when that baby gets to a certain size you'll just naturally move. I was supposed to sleep on my left side but couldn't because of arthritis in my left hip. You'll be fine. Just because you don't do exactly what the books say don't worry.
Ever seen Pirates of the Carribean? Those books are more like guidelines.
Every pregnancy is different. You''ll be fine. I wish you luck in getting comfy.

Hi...
I had twins 7 years ago and had the same problem, when you are laying on your back put a rolled up hand towel or small pillow under your right hip so your half on your side and half on your back. This takes the pressure from the baby off your spine, and kicks him/her over to the left, away from the liver. It is a good stretch too!!!
Ask your doctor about propping your right side up. It really worked for me.

You are doing no harm to the baby while sleeping on your back. i found myself constantly awaking on my back even though I feel asleep on my side. I spoke to my doctor about it and she said there is no harm in sleeping in on your back. If that is what is most comfortable to you then sleep that way.

For both my pregnancies I used one of those bizzare-looking, curvey body pillows you can buy at Babies R Us. Can't remember what is is called, but it is curved at both ends so that it wraps from between your knees up behind your back and then ends comfortably under your head. Sorry for the poor description, but believe me, when you have it properly placed, it is impossible to roll onto your back while you sleep. I think they cost around $60 which is a bit much, but worth it if you're stuggling to stay comfortable and safe as you sleep. Mine is stored away, but I've been planning to sell it with all my other baby gear. I don't think you're terribly far from me, so just let me know if you're interested. Good Luck!

I also was a back sleeper. This tricked worked very well for me. Good Luck!

There are a lot of people saying to put a pillow behind you but I kept pushing it off of the bed. I actually purchased two small travel pillows and stuck them under the bottom sheet on our bed so that I would stay slightly tilted when I layed on my back. I couldn't push them off the bed because they wouldn't move under the sheet. My doctor said that as long as you stay tilted slightly that you won't have the constant pressure on the artery and nerves that back sleeping affects.

-T-