sleeping positions - is on your back really that bad??

Question

I'm 20 weeks and have always slept on my back.

I have been forcing myself to fall asleep on my left hand side but keep waking up in a panic realising I've moved onto my back, it's interrupting my sleep at the time I need it most, and waking up worried is not good! 
Any tips ladies?? I'm not sure the cushion I've seen will stop me moving, is it really that bad to be on your back?

Answer

Yes it is. To prevent a stillbirth sleep on your side. The left side is the best side for circulation. The weight of the uterus applies pressure on the vena cava vein causing less oxygen flow to you. Therefore impacting the baby's oxygen flow as well. Anatomy baby! 🤓

Answer

It's not bad idk where everyone gets that bullshit

Answer

The reason why they say not to sleep on your back is because once your uterus starts getting bigger & heavier, the way it sits when you lay on your back causes your blood flow to get cut off so it's depriving the baby of oxygen

Answer

I'm 37 weeks and still sleep on my back. If not my right side and my baby is perfectly healthy. Everybody is different. If you're comfortable then you're fine.

Answer

OK, so it's not as simple as "it's bad" or "it's not bad". Sleeping on your back can put pressure on your vena cava, basically slowing blood flow to your lower body, baby included. When that happens it's Very uncomfortable. It will wake you if you are asleep, you will not want to remain in that position. It's very obvious. You can't be crushing your vena cava and not notice.

So, if you are comfortable on your back, then you're fine! If you are uncomfortable, in pain, or feel sick, roll to a side. I am 29 weeks but because of how my baby lays (usually far off to the right) I can still lay on my back sometimes. When he shifts, I have to roll.

There is also a position called semi-recumbent where you're sort of propped up at a slight angle on your back, that is enough to shift gravity towards your pelvis and take baby off your vena cava. You can google images, I use about 5 pillows and I can sleep comfortably in that position.

Very few pregnancy 'no-no's are black and white. Always learn WHY we are told not to do something so you can make a judgement call based on what's best for your baby and body.

Answer

Yes, at 20 weeks on, sleeping or just laying flat on your back is not good.  No BS about it.

Answer

Latin on your back in later pregnancy compresses an artery which cuts off the flow of Oxygen to your baby. Sleeping or Laying on your back for extended periods of time will become uncomfortable if not downright painful for you, as well.

Answer

At some point your back will also uncomfortable Just like it eventually happens with sleeping on your stomach.  I would stress too much your body usually figures it out and knows what to do and naturally you'll start to sleep less on your back just like your belly.

sleeping positions - is on your back really that bad??

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