Sleeping positions « Back to Group Discussions

[Erica13]

Last night I had a hard time getting comfortable as I slept. I've read that sleeping on one's back isn't the best for pregnancy (especially after month 7), so I've been trying to mainly sleep on my side. Even though I'm only at 20 weeks, I thought it'd be best to start getting used to not sleeping on my back, but now I'm not sure. As my belly is getting bigger my hips are getting sore from sleeping on them. I've never been comfortable sleeping on my belly, so I'm not sure if the suggestion I read about of making a pillow nest and sleeping on my belly would work.

When I got up this morning, one of my hips was a bit sore, and when I stood up after eating breakfast I could hardly put any weight on that leg.

Any suggestions for sleeping positions or hip pain?

[womenswisdom]

I prefer to sleep on my back usually so if I'm concerned about it during pregnancy (usually just in the last couple months it's uncomfortable) propping a pillow under one hip while lying on my back shifts the uterus slightly ad takes the weight of the uterus off the vena cava.

[Erica13]

Thanks "womenswisdom". That's a great idea about the pillow under one hip. I will have to try it.
 

[bearandotter]

I think the whole not sleeping on your back things is hogwash propagated by well-meaning, but not evidence based, websites and resources. Women with rare, specific health concerns (peripheral vascular disease is one that comes to mind) may be told by their HCpractitioner to stay off their backs, but otherwise your body will inform you what you need. If you wake up with numb or swollen legs then perhaps you do need off your back, but if not, you are good for whatever. I feel sad when I read (in other places) or women sabotaging their comfort and sleep because they 'read' not to sleep in a certain position and so create barriers to prevent their bodies to do what it wants (like a wedge so they won't roll onto their backs). 

That being said, by the end of my first two pregnancies I had like 8 pillows in be with me to create a little nest I could lie in. I love lying on my stomach and was able to right up until the end. This time around I splurged on a buckwheat breastfeeding pillow (to assist with biological nurturing positioning) and am loving it cradling my tummy when on my side. 

[BabySmurf]

Yeah, I'm still sleeping on my back a lot of the time too.  I have gone through some nights where it's uncomfortable and I adjust, but for the most part it works.  I even still sleep on my stomach for part of the night.  I do notice that for me, in terms of propping up one hip on a pillow, that adjusting with my right side higher actually causes me some pretty severe issues - definitely puts pressure on the wrong place for me.  Sleeping on my side hurts my hips too, even if I try to use pillows for support...although I have seen those body pillows and they look amazing! But not really something there is room for me to try, since DS still likes to cuddle for a large portion of the night. 

My advice is to do what works for now, and if you start to feel discomfort then work on other positions, pillows, etc.  The end of pregnancy is sort of uncomfortable no matter what!

[JNajla]

I was a tummy sleeper pre-preg so sleeping on my side has been a MAJOR adjustment!  I bought a body pillow and use that most nights and it helps to keep me from rolling onto my tummy or back.  I've woken up on my back sometimes and felt panic- like "oh, I was told not to do that"!  My hips ache as well from sleeping on my side.  I love the idea of using tons of pillows to make yourself a nest!  :)

[pokeyAC]

At this point, I don't think lying on our backs is much of an issue unless it hurts.  It only becomes an issue when the baby gets bigger and puts pressure on the major blood vessels behind the uterus.  I'm still comfortable lying on my back, but I lie on my side to fall asleep.  Lying on my side makes my hips hurt too.  I try to do some stretches before I get out of bed and that helps some.  I love going to the chiropractor or massage therapist because they have special pillows so I can lie on my stomach.  It's so dreamy.

[dayiscoming2006]

If I sleep in bed, I have to fall asleep on my side, but half the time I wake up on my back. That is with my last pregnancy too. I wouldn't worry about it like the others said unless you have reason to.

I have been sleeping in a recliner since near the end of the first trimester due to stuffy nose. It's not the newest either, so it's ok for comfort, but not great. Better than not being able to hardly breath though. Oh well. I use breath right nasal strips when I go to bed too. Those are somewhat helpful for those who are also suffering from a stuffy nose. 

[nattery]

I found the best sleeps I'm having now is with a pillow propped between my legs, and under my belly with a second pillow slightly wedged under my back behind me. I can't sleep without the support on each side.

[Espion]

Originally Posted by nattery 

I found the best sleeps I'm having now is with a pillow propped between my legs, and under my belly with a second pillow slightly wedged under my back behind me. I can't sleep without the support on each side.

I do something similar, but have to fully wake up if I flip over...so much rearranging!  

[dayiscoming2006]

I use pillows so often when I sleep, I forgot about it. LOL 

If in bed, I use a body pillow behind, one in front and I have a pillow between my legs in addition to the regular head pillow. 

When in the recliner, I still have my leg pillow, back pillow and a pillow at the bottom of the backrest for added support because of the funny shape of the recliner. Ah, pregnancy. The funny thing is, I ended up needing these after pregnancy too. Just more comfortable.

[amlikam]

Originally Posted by nattery 

I found the best sleeps I'm having now is with a pillow propped between my legs, and under my belly with a second pillow slightly wedged under my back behind me. I can't sleep without the support on each side.

I do something similar. My DH got me a boppy body pillow and after if off gased for a few weeks it is pretty handy. I didn't think I would like it because the center is so floppy, but it makes it ease to turn side to side without adjustting everything. I couple this with my nest, it makes me feel like a goddess

I find in general, but especially during pregnancy that if I am on my side too long without a pillow between my knees/thighs my hips KILL!!! so I would suggest if you want to side sleep (I got use to it nursing during the night)... to try a pillow between your knees/thighs.

I still sleep on my tummy and sometimes my back. Really our bodies are amazing at telling us what not to do and if we listen they will indicate what they'd like us to do.

Hope your sleep is cozy soon.

[BumkinsMum]

My sleeping position changes every night do to the additional bed inhabitants....

Last night let's see.... I slept for the most part on my side, my 6 yr old wedged on my left, my 2 yr old wedged on my right under the pillow that supports my belly/knees, and my 4 yr old across the top of our pillows....My husband slept with the 8 and 10 yr old.

We've customized our bed by building a frame that will hold 2 King size water beds side-by-side so there is tones of room.

You could say we take the term "family bed" to the extreme but we've been doing this since our 1st and wouldn't have it any other way!

[pokeyAC]

Thanks for the tip Amlikam!  I was wondering about the hip pain and a pillow between the knees.  I think it is time to get the pregnancy pillow.

[FarmerMomma]

I've been in bed 24 hours now due to pukies/punies. My shoulders are killing me. All this side sleeping is pulling my shoulders too far forward. Ouch.

Love your family bed story bumpkin mom. We're converting house from mom's room and DS's room to sleeping room and playing room. Using the smaller room for sleeping cause it's easier to heat. Just trying to figure out where to put clothes.

[pokeyAC]

Hope you feel better soon, FarmerMomma!

Last night, I slept with my Boppy pregnancy pillow for the first time.  It was tricky to get comfortable on my right side and to move it from side to side, but I did not toss and turn nearly as much and I was much more comfortable.  DW was a little sad though because I couldn't cuddle her with the pillow in between. 

[bearandotter]

Originally Posted by pokeyAC 
  DW was a little sad though because I couldn't cuddle her with the pillow in between. 

 Ha ha. My DH says that when the body pillow comes out to help me sleep it acts as The Great Wall of Separation. 

We got a 4x5' rectangular bean bag chair for DDs birthday. If I make a depression in the middle it supports my body and a I can comfortably rest on my tummy. I think I might try to sneak a nap on it this afternoon/.

[FarmerMomma]

Originally Posted by bearandotter 

 Ha ha. My DH says that when the body pillow comes out to help me sleep it acts as The Great Wall of Separation. 

Yeah I got one for me and DS said he doesn't get to snuggle. I got one for DS too double kick protection.


We got a 4x5' rectangular bean bag chair for DDs birthday. If I make a depression in the middle it supports my body and a I can comfortably rest on my tummy. I think I might try to sneak a nap on it this afternoon/.

That sounds fabulous. I'm so tired of sleeping on my side. Hanging out in bed all day hasn't helped.