What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I keep forgetting to ask my dr. I am 25 weeks here if that matters. I have been sleeping on my side mostly but it's starting to agitate my sciatica. So I was wondering, do we really have to sleep on our sides or no in most drs opinion?

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

They told me to sleep on my sides. You'll notice though that naturally you won't really want to be on your back anyway as your belly gets bigger. Between the weight of the baby and your growing uterus your belly gets so heavy and when your on your back it compresses down on your spine and just is not comfy at all. At least that's been my experience.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Mine doesn't want me on my back or belly. I now sleep with a fortress of pillows around me as DH calls it.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

i see my midwife next week, i iwll def. ask.
sleeping on my sides has been bothering me lately...

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Never asked, but I sleep on my back about 50% of the time. My sides get sore during the night and I end up on my back.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

my dr says to sleep where I am comfortable. She said I will know when I cant sleep on my stomach anymore.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

My midwife says it doesn't matter. The reason for sleeping on your sides instead of your back is that the weight of the uterus and baby can put pressure on your inferior vena cava and could potentially cause dizziness or you to pass out, this doens't become an issue until about 34 weeks. That being said, if you happen to roll onto your back while sleeping and it is putting pressure your body will let you know.

She says sleep however is comfortable and don't worry about being on my side etc. She said to trust and follow what my body tells me......

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

My Dr never told me not to sleep on my back. When I asked him he casually said "everyone ends up sleeping on their back sometime throughout the night' he was very casual about it.

I just found it uncomfortable. My heart would start racing and I would have trouble breathing

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Since my sciatic pain is so awful, I have to sleep however I'm comfortable. I was sleeping on my right side, but that got really bad. Left is even worse.

So for most of the night, I sleep on my back with two pillows under my knees, but I also use a third pillow under the right side of my back. This way, it feels like I'm sleeping on my back, but my body is actually tilted to the left.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I was at the DR yesterday and she said NO to sleeping on the back. She was very adamant about it.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Mine hasn't really said anything. I try to sleep on my left side, but I usually end up on my back at some point during the night. If it gets uncomfortable, I move back onto my left side. I can't sleep on my right side at all b/c I get very uncomfortable. It's hard to constantly sleep on my left side though b/c my sciatica acts up.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

Thanks everyone. I just bought a pregnancy wedge pillow, i will see if that somehow helps.

So many opinions!

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I haven't asked and have wondered myself-- but, honestly if you think about it, it's kind of a silly question since you can't be responsible for the position you get into when you are unconcious with sleep.

My POV is-- if you are sleeping, it's a good thing.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

i slept on my back until the day i gave birth. i moved to my sides when i was uncomfortable.

however i could sleep is what i did.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I never asked my doctor about it but I reached a point where I found it difficult to breathe when I was on my back so I would roll over to the side.

And then my hip would get numb from all the baby weight and I'd have to start the torturous process of rolling to the other side. Good times.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I've never slept on my back until I got pregnant(this is my first pregnancy). Now its the most comfortable position for me and I can sleep through most of the night(except for bathroom runs) on my back...on my sides just gets uncomfortable and I'm up...my Dr never stressed this being bad...I'm 16 weeks and this may change in time, but for now, if I'm asleep, I have no idea how to turn myself fast asleep...this being said...I have NEVER heard of anyone harming their baby or themselves by sleeping on their backs...and so far my baby is healthy, growing and I will keep it that way until my body or my Dr tells me different

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I tried to sleep on one of my sides, but I always woke up back on my back. My doctor said it was fine.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

i hate sleeping on my sides - it hurts my shoulder and my hip becomes numb in the night..

my doctor didnt say anything, but my sister told me the side is the best for the baby..but i end up on my back most of the time....

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I asked my DR and he said it's ok right now (before the 3rd trimester)...he told me not to get myself crazy about what position I end up in (I start out on my side and end up on my back), he said if I wake up on my back, it's ok...just turn back onto my side. Sleeping on my back seems to be the only comfortable position at this point, but I am sure that will change.

Re: What does your dr say about sleeping on your back?

I asked at my 12week appt and was told to sleep only on my sides! I try my best but my shoulders have been bothering me.