Getting comfortable when pregnant?

Question

Im 20 and I'm into my 24th week pregnant with twins. i havent slept for wat seems like forever, because i cannot get comfortable in any position in bed. I've also been told by a friend that i shouldnt sleep on my back as there is pressure on a nerve when you are pregnant. is this true? has anyone else had trouble sleeping when pregnant, what did you do?

Answer 1

The on-your-back issue is actually that the fetus can press on your renal artery (the big blood vessels going down to the kidneys), which reduces blood flow to the legs and you get numb and tingling (like your legs falling asleep). For my wife, it was more the case that if she DID lie on her back for any length of time (I'm remembering one unpleasant late-pregnancy ultrasound), it was uncomfortable, so she couldn't.

For her, lying on her side was most comfortable. Try this:

Lie on your left side. Stretch your left leg out straight, then pull your right leg up so that the knee is up about at waist level -- not so high you feel strained, just so that the knee makes a kind of "kickstand" to help support the baby's weight. You should, from above, look sort of like a lower-case h -- where the long straight part of the letter is your back and left leg, and the curving, short part is your right leg.

If you prefer, swap right for left (lie on right side, stretch right leg straight, pull left leg up); I only described the other way first because it looks like the small h. :-)

Answer 2

I'm the mother of 10 month old twins. I also had alot of trouble getting comfortable at night. Here's a few thoughts/tips:

1. Yes, sleeping on your back can cause reduced blood flow. This is especially bad for twins since they need all of the nourishment they can get.

2. Try using a body pillow. Or even two body pillows. Lying on your side put one pillow behind your body to support you from the back. Kind of hug the other pillow with the bottom of the pillow between your knees.

3. Pulling your knees closer to your belly helps take pressure off your back.

4. There were a few weeks where I slept half sitting up on the couch. I've also had twin-mom friends who slept in a recliner during those uncomfortable periods.

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 3

Everyone always seems to ask this question and I always say that if you are comfortable then sleep in whatever position you want to. I'm currently 26weeks pregnant with my 2nd daughter and I'm massive this time compared to the first. At the moment it seems like the baby only wakes up and moves around the minute I get into bed.It hurts when I lay on my back and the only way I can sleep is 2 put 4 pillows behind me, going down my back and be in a half sitting and half laying down position. I have also tried using avent relaxing bath and shower essence before I go to bed.Anything from the Avent range is fantastic.
Good luck xx

Answer 4

Sleeping on your left side is best. I know it is hard to change your sleeping habits when pregnant, if you always slept on your back you just have a tendency to move that way to sleep without even knowing it. There are many body pillows out there to help with this. Check out www.pillow-superstore.com to find some maternity pillows that can help you out. Good luck!

Answer 5

just look at it this way, it's just a precusor to when baby arrives-ain't noooooooo sleep then!

Sleep is in fact a dim memory from now on in. And before anyone says otherwise, I'm taking regular, every night, every day sleep which you had before you had a child, not the sleep with one ear open and never fully deeply asleep you get with a child.

As for how to sleep, pillow between the legs on the side is about your best bet and unfortunately as you're only 24 weeks its gonna get a lot worse! but not to worry, its part of the joy of motherhood! GRIN

Answer 6

ambien is a good suggestion
i would talk to you ob for that
and as far as sleeping on your back
they tell you not
it is not suggested
and if you can help it dont
but when i was pregnant the 2nd time around
i couldnt sleep any other way
i tried not to sleep on my back
but it was the only way i could sleep
you gotta sleep
i dont want to tell you sleep on your back
it doesnt matter what they say
cause you shouldnt
you should talk to your doctor
me personally
i slept on my back and im ok
so is my baby
on the other hand ive always had a bad back...and i wouldnt know if the sleeping on my back thing would have hurt it

sorry for you
i know how that feels
it sucks

Answer 7

I had lots of trouble sleeping when I was pregnant. You may have to get creative. A body pillow or "pregnancy pillow" may help. Sleeping on the couch helped some too..Maybe you could try sleeping in a recliner..Good luck.

Answer 8

i get scared of sleeping in any position i usually sleep on my belly but wen i found out i was pregnant i tried to stop but because ive done it so long i kept doing it so i brought my self a cushtee i dont no weather uve heard of them theyre like a really soft beanbag u get them in all differant shapes and sizes from markets or some shops an ever since i put it under my belly and i sleep really well without all the worries and it stops me rolling onto my belly and making me feel that im squashing my baby.
All ican say is try it it works 4 me xxx

Answer 9

Your friend is right, do not sleep on your back. In addition to what she described to you, you are also going to get breathless if you sleep on your back.
What I did was, I slept on the side with a pillow lined alongside my body, partially under my tummy, with its end in between my knees. This reduced the pressure on my tummy and back.
Hope this helps. Congratulations and good luck!

Answer 10

Mothercare do a bump cushion that looks like a wedge, I used it all the time when I was having my twins.......

If you can get comfy in ANY position, I'd go for it - nobody ever told me not to sleep on my back and when you're having two of them, its not easy to be comfy even when you're standing!!!

Good Luck with the twins, its lovely even if it is a bit scary xxx