For me, having a pillow between my legs helps me stay on my side. I know some ladies buy legit maternity pillows but I have always just used a bed pillow (and bonus, it really helped with my back issues last pregnancy).
I believe sleeping on the left side is optimal because of the way blood, etc. filters to the placenta.
I don't know if there's a specific recommendation, you'll definitely realize when you are too uncomfortable to sleep on your back, though! It will probably be sooner for you since there's two in there I would get very light-headed during prolonged periods on my back (lengthy ultrasounds, etc), especially later in the pregnancy, and if I ended up on my back while sleeping, I would wake up. The added weight puts pressure on the vena cava (major blood vessel), which then restricts oxygen to the brain--hence the light-headed/dizzy feeling.
eta: I carried fairly small in my first pregnancy, but the last month or so I used a king-sized pillow to support my belly when lying on my side, and then the rest of the pillow would go between my knees, if that makes sense.
Post by sophiegrace on May 12, 2016 17:19:29 GMT -5
There are general guidelines as PP stated, but it's going to be very dependent on how you carry and how your anatomy is. After a certain point laying on your left side is best because typically the inferior vena cava (vein that brings all the unoxygenated blood flow back to the heart) which is deviated to the right is completely free from obstruction in that position. BUT like everything else it varies from person to person and some are never affected.
I asked three different doctors last time around. One said to sleep however I was able to actually get some sleep, one just shrugged at me, and the third said they preferred left side but that if I rolled over my body would wake me up naturally if I needed to move.
Post by sweetmelissa5 on May 12, 2016 17:25:22 GMT -5
I've always just stopped when it became uncomfortable. Until that point, it's really not harmful, and you'll wake up even if you accidentally roll on your back while you're sleeping. I generally continue to sleep on my back until it starts to feel like there's something sitting on my chest, and I can't breathe well.
Thank you all so much! It's still the most comfortable position for now (to sleep on my back) but I thought I'd try training myself. I'll try pillows and also not stress since I think I have some time and it sounds like you will/should/likely wake up if it's an issue.
kleigh I'm late to this but will add that your body will definitely wake you if you accidentally roll to your back while sleeping way before you can do any damage, so don't worry!
Also, later in pregnancy it becomes necessary to build yourself sort of a little nest to sleep. I know others have mentioned using a pillow between the knees or some ladies like those huge pregnancy pillows. With DS, my "nest" was sleeping on my left side with a pillow between the knees, a gel pillow under my bump, and another pillow wedged under my back, with a small blanket rolled up to hug in my arms/under my neck and chin. I slept beautifully.
Btw, the back pillow was for extra support to counteract the weight of my belly, not to keep me from rolling onto my back. Just my personal experience
Post by goldenlove3 on May 13, 2016 6:52:13 GMT -5
I'm glad you asked this because I was wondering. I usually sleep on my back or stomach but started training myself to sleep on my side lately. I still end up on my back once in a while. I guess I won't worry about it unless it becomes uncomfortable.
There's what "the book" says, and what your body says. Personally, I always listen to my body. I slept on my back pretty much throughout my entire pregnancy last time. There were times it was uncomfortable and I switched to a side. We all turned out fine.
Slightly different topic along the same lines if you don't mind me asking in your thread kleigh
STM+, the snoogle...worth it?
I have the boppy version. I really want a mini snoogle but I don't want to spend the extra money. The boppy one was fine but I would have liked one that was a little bigger.
I'm lucky that sleeping on my left side is my preferred sleeping position. I borrowed my sister's snoogle but I don't remember it being a life saver for me, but maybe bc I already slept in the "right" position.
As PP said, listen to your body. You'll know if/when it gets to that point. You may get dizzy or just uncomfortable. I got to the point last time that if I ended up on my back, I'd get shooting pains in my lower back when I tried to roll. Around 18 weeks or so.
sophiegrace snoogle is worth a try. I used mine on and off last time and it helped with supporting my back
There's what "the book" says, and what your body says. Personally, I always listen to my body. I slept on my back pretty much throughout my entire pregnancy last time. There were times it was uncomfortable and I switched to a side. We all turned out fine.
Re: snoodle. It wasn't a lifesaver, but I would definitely recommend it. I'm looking forward to when I need it again. For now, I am still on my back or my side aor even half on stomach. It just ges in the way before you are exclusively on your side. Fwiw, I slept on both sides equally last time.
Trust me, kleigh, by the time it's really unsafe this will be the least of your sleep worries.
Invest in a Snoogle and many pillows for the second trimester. As for the third, well, good luck with getting any sleep. I used to build up a big pile of pillows and sleep either squatting like a frog with my body hanging over the pillows, or propped up basically in a sitting position. There was no rolling over in bed by about 30 weeks.
I have actually heard of a lot of multiple moms purchasing recliners to sleep in for the last few weeks. It wasn't in our budget and I didn't really have the space for one, but I wish I could have done this.
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