I have the hips of an 80 year oldOctober 31st, 2005 @ 8:52 am
Rumor has it, you can’t sleep on your back after your 16th week of pregnancy. Something about how it will kill your baby. I wasn’t worried about this, because I didn’t think I usually slept on my back. I was wrong. Apparently, sleeping on my back is my favorite position. I learned this after I reached my 16th week and tried to stop sleeping on my back. This is impossible to do.
Every time I wake up in the night I am on my back. And quite comfortably on my back, I might add. I usually have my t-shirt pulled up and my ever-growing belly sticking out. I worriedly think “crap, I need to move to my side, quick”. But my hips hurt so bad (and did I mention how comfortable I am on my back?). Just the thought of rolling over makes me just about cry.
Last night while we were at Sunday dinner at The King’s parents house (which we do every Sunday night, which I love), I asked my sister in law how she was able to sleep comfortably while pregnant (she had TWINS last May). She just laughed and said “you don’t”.
Man, I have a long way to go. I hope I can make it.
**Do any of these sleep aids help? I mean, should I even bother buying one?
————-
November 01, 2005 UPDATE:
Internet, I took your advice. I slept with an extra pillow behind my back last night. And can I just say…slept like a baby. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
They're just my family · We're having a baby
Avorie
said,
October 31, 2005 at 9:25 am
Oh! I totally know what you’re going through. At 16 weeks, I started putting pillows on either side of me so that I could train myself not to roll onto my back. The result? Hubby’s feelings were hurt. He thought I didn’t want him around and was hogging the bed. I had to explain that my tummy and hips hurt really bad if I don’t sleep hugging a pillow.
So, now I sleep with a pillow in front of me and a little wadded up blanket against my back (still prevents me from rolling into my back but doesn’t take up as much room).
I positively cannot sleep without the pillows or my hips hurt sooooooo bad. The pillow helps me lie so that my hips are not just straight up and down, but can be tilted forward or backward without putting too much pressure on my tummy. It really helps.
The other thing that helps are sleep bras. Now I don’t get all tangled in my t-shirt or have to readjust it every time I turn over.
That’s all I’ve found to help me sleep. Of course neither of those helps me breathe!! I tried the Breathe Right nasal strips but they don’t really help. Now Hubby wakes me up when he hears me snorting and gasping for air. That can’t be good for baby…
Elisette
said,
October 31, 2005 at 9:56 am
Isn’t it something about the baby laying on your back nerve? I agree, though, pillows front and back and sleeping leaning back on the pillow, so you’re not full on your back. We bought king sized pillows for the king size bed we bought in my sixth month of pregnancy and my husband was shocked to find how comfortable the pillows were after our son was born, because he had never used them!
Nap Queen
said,
October 31, 2005 at 11:29 am
I don’t know anything about being pregnant, so I can’t help you there, but it sounds painful. I sure feel bad for you though!
My best friend is about 13 weeks pregnant, so I’ll have to pass all this info along to her.
Lisa
said,
October 31, 2005 at 11:39 am
Ah yes, I remember the side sleeping, the hips hurting… There’s a pillow out now that was my favorite thing during my pregnancy. It was the best investment! It’s a body pillow and curved in the shape of a “C”. I forget what its called. But you can use it a few ways and I really did help. If you are interested, I’ll do a quick search and send you a link.
hardtoimagine
said,
October 31, 2005 at 12:34 pm
I could not stop sleeping on my back during pregnancy either. I used lots of pillows when I was on my side, but for at least part of the night I would find myself on my back. When I really just needed to be on my back, I put several pillows behind me so that it propped me up at an angle. It relieved the pressure from the big belly and still allowed me to be semi-comfortable.
By the way, the reason you are not supposed to lie on your back is because it puts pressure on a major artery and can decrease the blood flow to the baby.
Rude Cactus
said,
October 31, 2005 at 1:31 pm
Hrm. Ask my wife…she tried bunches of stuff. Basically, as I understand it, after the first trimester you’re just not allowed to sleep. Or be comfortable.
anna
said,
October 31, 2005 at 2:07 pm
After a month or 2 of trying to sleep with a pillow between my legs, I eventually gave up and started sleeping in our recliner.
for Joke!
said,
November 1, 2005 at 3:02 am
Honestly, I hold no value in what people say is an ideal sleeping condition. Don’t they say babies shouldn’t sleep on their back? Or on their tummy? (which is it?) and mommies all over the world do it anyway and the babies are FINE?
I, for one, always get comfortable on my tummy. Something sooo comforting in having your face smooshed onto the pillow!
JenfromBoston
said,
November 1, 2005 at 8:26 am
My sister who is due in Dec. bought and swears by The Snoogle.(Long, curvy pillow). She loves it! Even her husband tries to steal it.
Here’s the link to amazon if you’re interested.
http://clipurl.com/?N0
lizcjones
said,
November 1, 2005 at 11:26 am
I am 22 weeks and I have a snoogle. It helps me stay off my back for a little while, but somehow I almost always end up on my back. Even if it means I have rolled over and ended up on my back completely on top of the snoogle! Anyway, I keep trying different things, but I just think my back must have some kind of magnetic force attracting it to my bed.