When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

I need some clarification please...

What I call laying on my back might not be laying on my back to others.

ps my dr never told me not to....
im 23 weeks

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

They mean literally don't sleep on your back.......at all. It is preferred that you sleep on your left side. Better circulation of blood for baby.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

My doctor hasn't said anything to me either and I was just at his office last week at 24 weeks. Sometimes I wake up and I'm on my back. Who knows how long I've been on my back for. I try not to lay on my back at all when I'm awake. While sleeping well that's a whole other story. Nothing I can do about it then.

Message edited 8/27/2009 11:10:39 PM.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

There is a vein or artery that runs behind the uterus, the weight of the uterus and baby can slow circulation for you. It is not the blood going to the baby. That being said I slept on my back a lot during my pregnancy with DS due to neck and back issues. Dr said it was not a problem. Your body will tell you if you need to move. IMO, I say take Sleep however you can get it ;o)

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

Posted by Hofstra26

They mean literally don't sleep on your back.......at all. It is preferred that you sleep on your left side. Better circulation of blood for baby.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

You can't lie FLAT on your back, like if you were doing sit-ups. My doc always told me if I use pillows to prop myself up a little, then that is ok, just not completely flat.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

Here's the thing, you can lay however you want. Whatever is most comfortable for you is what is best.

It is IDEAL to lay on the left side because that is what is best for YOU. Circulation flows easiest if you lay on your left. That does NOT mean that you will harm you or your baby if you lay on your right, back or even belly. I was still a belly sleeper until it was just too uncomfortable for me to do so. And then I was a sorta kinda back/side sleeper. You will NOT hurt your baby if you sleep on your back. The worst thing that will happen is you'll start to feel a little shortness of breath, or faint for like a second, at which point you just turn over. Just follow the cues of your body, it will tell you when its not right. You won't deprive your baby so don't worry.

Think about it....when you're getting your ultrasounds up until the end, you're laying on your back. And your more or less laying on your back while in labor too. But when you feel uncomfortable, you move. As you get farther along, just take sleep any way you can get it, trust me!

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

My docs prefer that I lie on my side (left, preferably), but laying on my back won't hurt the baby. They said that if you wake up on your back, not to freak out.

I have noticed as I have gotten bigger that my toes tingle a little if I am on my back for too long.

I'm with the other ladies who said to take sleep however you can get it.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

I'm almost 30 weeks and my doctor has yet to tell me I have to sleep on my side. For the most part I still sleep on my back b/c I cannot for the life of me get comfy on my sides!

ETA: & you won't harm the baby laying on your back it's mostly for your circulation.

Message edited 8/28/2009 10:25:37 AM.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

You don't need to worry about this until your third trimester.

And I have found that my body "tells" me when I need to move. Sometimes I shift onto my back at night, and I usually wake up due to lower back discomfort and end up shifting to my side.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

Sleep however you can, but I found that as I got bigger, it was harder to be comfortable on my back. I also found myself often short of breath if I laid on my back.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

i have been sleeping on my stomach (at 23 weeks) and my dr. said its ok for now but i will get uncomfortable when I get bigger. He said its prefered that you sleep on your side but its whatver makes you feel comfortable. He suggested getting an extra pillow or body pillow for extra support.

Re: When they say you can't lay on your back what exactly do they mean...

speak with your doctor about it. mine said to sleep any way i feel comfy BUT it'll be better for me and the baby to sleep on my left side. I find that when I sleep on my left side, I feel better. I tend to fall onto my back during the night but I'm never flat on my back.