Hips Ache While Sleeping - Need Relief!

[kitchensqueen]

Well, I've gotten to the point where I'm big enough that sleeping is uncomfortable for the most part. I've read/heard that sleeping on my back for long periods after around four months isn't advisable because the weight of the baby can cause circulation issues. And it's not comfortable anyway.

Sleeping on my sides isn't working either - I've got 20 minutes max before my hips start aching so bad I have to switch positions. So I'm literally tossing and turning all night and not getting any sleep.

Is there anything I can do to get more comfortable so I can actually get some rest? What's everyone doing to deal with this?

[redpajama]

A few things that have worked for me:

Sometimes I can get comfortable by lying next to a pillow, so my belly is supported by in, then bringing my knee (of the top leg) way up, about as high as I can, so that I sort of get the effect of sleeping on my stomach (take the pressure off the outside of my hip).  

Also, I've often found it comfortable to sleep on my back, but with a pillow under one hip/side of my butt.  This way, I'm on my back, which I generally find comfortable, but the angle sort of makes the baby fall off to the side rather than resting directly on me.  You'll be able to tell if it's working because you won't have that short-of-breath (for lack of a better description) feeling that you likely get when you're flat on your back.

[Mommy2Austin]

DDCC from June:

I have three pillows I sleep with. One under my head, one that sits either under my belly or behind my back depending on how I feel, and one between my knees. If I had my way I would have a fourth so I was covered on all sides lol. When DH snuggles up against my back it helps to support as well.

If I had the money to I would just buy one of these. :)

I still get a little achy and have to switch sides sometimes, but its a lot worse without them!

[LovingBaby]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Austin 

If I had the money to I would just buy one of these. :)

That pillow looks soooo comfy!!!  I just sleep with a normal pillow for my head and a body pillow, the body pillow helps!

[Ttarail]

I sleep in a tempurapedic to start with. This is my set up for side sleeping. Pillow under head, wedge pillow under tummy, pillow tucked against my Bach lengthwise, and very important to avoviod hip pain: thick pillow between my knees that is long enough to go between my ankles. If the pillow is just at my knees and my ankles are left alone, the torque on my hips hurt.

[Mommy2Austin]

I wish there was a way to suspend us in the air while we sleep lol. I'm tired of the hip popping :P

[vtechmom]

I have the Leachco version of the pillow posted above and I've gotta admit, it's amazing!  I believe after first snuggling in it I said something to my DH along the lines of having to leave him and marry the pillow instead.

The only, kinda, drawback is there is no DH snuggling at night with that pillow.  Personally, while normally that would bug me it doesn't right now and I'm enjoying having my own space. 

[Mama Metis]

Originally Posted by redpajama 

A few things that have worked for me:

Sometimes I can get comfortable by lying next to a pillow, so my belly is supported by in, then bringing my knee (of the top leg) way up, about as high as I can, so that I sort of get the effect of sleeping on my stomach (take the pressure off the outside of my hip).  

Also, I've often found it comfortable to sleep on my back, but with a pillow under one hip/side of my butt.  This way, I'm on my back, which I generally find comfortable, but the angle sort of makes the baby fall off to the side rather than resting directly on me.  You'll be able to tell if it's working because you won't have that short-of-breath (for lack of a better description) feeling that you likely get when you're flat on your back.

I do this too. I lie on my side, keep my bottom leg straight-ish, bend my top leg 90 degrees, and use a pillow to support it. I'm still comfortable this way and I'm crashing from the July DDC. LOL

[SuzyQ-ME]

Oh, I hear you.  I was in so much hip pain that we actually went out and bought an off-brand "- pedic" bed (Bobopedic, if you have Bob's Furniture near you).  I am a stomach sleeper, so shifting to being a side-sleeper has been absolutely awful. 

I agree with those that say a pillow between your legs can help your hips a lot.  A good friend sent me one of these Boppy sleeping pillows:

http://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Total-Body-Pillow-Neutral/dp/B003UTUEOU/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1303756485&sr=8-2-fkmr1

That will help the top hip.  But still, my bottom hip just ACHES.  We're thinking of returning the Bobopedic for the soft "plush" version (we got the "firm").  The other thing I tried was sleeping on top of a folded up comforter.  It's much softer but the drawback is that it gets a bit hot.

Basically, I've found that on squishy mattresses I don't have the hip pain, so try doing whatever you can to soften your bed - featherbeds, pads, etc. 

[kitchensqueen]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'm going to try building a pillow fort around myself tonight and see if I can get some rest.

[Smurfy]

I have this same problem, feels like someone is putting nails into my hips!  Last pregnancy I tried a foamy on the bed, helped a little but more than anything it made the bed more difficult to make.  This time I found the pillow mountain actually quite helpful, though I adapted it a bit to make it easier to get in and out of bed, for those frequent bathroom trips, and for turning over.  One pillow under my head, of course, one pillow folded in half under my top leg which is bent at a 90 degree angle while the bottom leg is straight, square your hips as much as possible, finally a third pillow I sometimes fold in half and hug under my top arm to keep my shoulders square in case they start hurting.  I had posted a similar thread a while ago and someone posted a video with this pillow configuration, though they used two pillows under your leg and one under your belly, I found that was too many and too difficult to move around with.  I'll try to find the video and repost it.  HTH

[Smurfy]

Here it is, not to mention I'm a HUGE fan of this site, a little addicted!  LOL

http://www.babysteals.com/wp/?p=3911

[Mommel]

Thank you SO much for that video and for this thread!! My hips have been KILLING me and I didn't think there was much i could do about it... I'm going to try this tonight!

[April K]

Love that video. I have a tempeurpedic, but my hips have been hurting lately.. Going to try this tonight!

[Mommel]

I am reporting in on the video suggested pillow arrangement... IT WORKED!!! I was able to sleep on my left side the ENTIRE NIGHT and woke up with NO hip pain (or any other pain, for that matter). Awesome. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you... a thousand times, thank you!