I'm not trying to freak out, HELP!?

Question

I was reading on here yesterday about you can't sleep on your back.. Well, like everytime I woke up in the middle of the night last night, I was on my back.. When I woke up this morning I was on my back. What kind of harm can it do to the baby? Help me please.. I'm 21 weeks.

Answer 1

sleeping on your back dosen't hurt the baby, it could hurt you.  the weight of the baby puts pressure on your aorta and cuts off blood flow.

Answer 2

i am 13 weeks and i have been sleeping on my back nearly the entire pregnany, just find a position you are comfortable to sleep in, i find it best on my back with my legs on my bf.  

Answer 3

i always sleep on my back or stomach even though your not supposto i cant help it i just roll over in my sleep and so far my babys fine

so dont worry

Answer 4

Usually this advice is given in the third trimester because the pressure on the vena cava, a major vein, can cause circulation issues. However, if you find yourself sleeping in that position, it's no big deal. You probably woke yourself up to change position. Don't stress too much about it. If it bothers you, your body will let you know.

Answer 5

none, it wont do any harm at all  

Answer 6

Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large vein (called the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.

Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off that large organ. Sleeping on the left side also improves circulation to the heart and allows for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys. Ask what your doctor recommends — in most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.

But don't drive yourself crazy worrying that you might roll over onto your back during the night. Shifting positions is a natural part of sleeping that you can't control. Most likely, during the third trimester of your pregnancy, your body won't shift into the back-sleeping position anyway because it will be too uncomfortable.

If you do shift onto your back and the baby's weight presses on your inferior vena cava, the discomfort will probably wake you up. See what your doctor recommends about this; he or she may suggest that you use a pillow to keep yourself propped up on one side.

Try experimenting with pillows to discover a comfortable sleeping position. Some women find that it helps to place a pillow under their abdomen or between their legs. Also, using a bunched-up pillow or rolled-up blanket at the small of your back may help to relieve some pressure. In fact, you'll find that there are many "pregnancy pillows" on the market. If you're thinking about purchasing one, talk with your doctor first about which one might work for you

Answer 7

If it is causing you to freak out then why not get a pillow and tuck it in around you to stop you from on your back unknown to yourself or maybe you should invest in a pregnancy pillow.. Who knows you might have even a better sleep!

Best Wishes.... x

Answer 8

It's not so much that sleeping on your back can harm the baby but that sleeping on your back can make you uncomfortable and harm you.

When on your back everything baby gets pushed towards your spine thanks to gravity.  This can pinch nerves in your spine and damage anything unlucky enough to be squashed against your spine during the night.

If you are on your side gravity doesn't pull towards bone

Answer 9

Hi,

I think the most important thing to start with is to get your baby into a good sleep routine.  I had massive problems with getting my 4 month old son to sleep.  He would just lie awake and cry for hours, then when he finally went to sleep he would wake every hour or two hours through the night and cry again!  Talk about pulling our hair out .... we were absolutely desperate for sleep!

It was a baby sleep audio program recommended by a friend that finally saved us. We followed the advice and began by creating a baby sleep routine which included bathtime, dimming of the lights, putting James into his crib, final nappy change and then lullabies. We also made recommended changes to his naps during the day and used some of the other recommended techniques. Within two weeks he was sleeping through the night most nights with just the odd night where he would just wake once!

Definitely start by creating a good baby sleep routine though and you could find that solves most of your baby sleep problems.

Good luck!

If you want to take a look, the audio program is at http://www.babysleepsolution.com

Answer 10

You can sleep on your back, it's just not suggested. When you are lying flat on your back you are cutting down the oxygen supply to your baby. They suggest sleeping on your left side.

I'm 30 1/2 weeks and I've had terrible back pain for weeks now. I always start off the night on my left side but like you I wake up in the middle of the night only to find myself lying flat on my back!

I wouldn't be that concerned about it. My baby seems very active and has appeared just fine on all her ultrasounds.

I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who have slept on their backs and have perfectly healthy beautiful babies! :-)

Answer 11

i slept on my back for the total 40 wks of my first pregnancy - because i can't sleep any other way! i had a perfectly healthy baby who is now 5 yrs old and thank god in good health.

relax!!!

Answer 12

Laying on your back has to due with putting pressure on a vessel or something to that nature.  For me I put a pillow under my back when I want to lay on my back.  After a while you won't be able to lay on your back you will feel the loss of blood circulation.  

But just put a pillow there and that will keep you from laying directly on your back.  

This is my 4th child I am 32wks and this is the first time I have heard about not laying on you back didn't hear about it with my other three.  But my nurse has stressed it to me. But don't worry you will be okay I don't believe you will hurt the baby.