I am 23 weeks pregnant but I love laying on my back!I have a lot of back pain and it helps me to do so but I have heard that it isnt good to do this after 20 weeks! Why is that???
2006-12-23 15:50:35 · 14 answers · asked by alizaboo19 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
If you are carrying the baby high and more forward (later in the pregnancy) some of your organs, including your lungs, could be compressed by the top part of your uterus when you lay on your back. Also, there is a major artery, and even some nerves, that run down the middle of your back and your spine which could be compressed when you lay flat on your back. If you are more comfortable laying on your back, you could take a body pillow and fold it in half (or stack two regular pillows) and prop them under your back so that you are still laying on your back, you just aren't flat. I am a massage therapist and know that this is the way most of my pregnant clients like to start out. Just make sure the fold is under your low back and the ends are closest to your head (or the opposite if you like) because if you just fold it in half and put it under your back so that it's perpendicular to your body, it won't be very comfotable. If your doctor says it's alright, some women can still lay flat on their backs. When I was pregnant, I could lay on my back for about 15 to 20 minutes before it began to get uncomfortable.
2006-12-23 16:51:14 · answer #1 · answered by Stary-eyed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is recommended that once the baby gets so large that you lay on your sides. Try to get a body pillow and put it between your legs to help you with the back pain. The reason is there is a major blood vessell that runs down, and supplies blood to the baby, when you lay flat on your back you put pressure on that vessell, and possibly could restrict some needed blood flow. Dont panic if you wake up and you are on your back, your body is used to sleeping like that, just roll over back onto your side. Laying on your Left side is the best, it provides the best blood flow. I was on bedrest with all 3 of my kids so i had to find many comfortable spots, and I would reccommend the body pillow as a must!
2006-12-23 15:57:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a chance that laying on your back for too long could put pressure on the vena cava(?) which COULD cut off some oxygen to the baby & you. Thing is, your body will let you know to change positions LONG before any oxygen is cut off. Alot of doctors will still tell you to lay on your left side only. Most will now tell you to sleep however comfortable. I could never sleep on my left side, I owuld get the world's worst heartburn to the point I would throw up. Just lay however you are comfortable. Your body will let you know when you need to change positions. I slept on my belly til the day I had my youngest & she's perfectly normal. :)
2006-12-23 16:22:06 · answer #3 · answered by mamabens 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know it's just an old wive's tale that it will cut off the baby's oxygen. But it can make it impossible for YOU to breathe when the baby gets big enough. You will probably have to start laying on your side (left is best). With my first, it was so bad I had to prop up with pillows and sleep halfway sitting up (like a raised hospital bed). That was miserable, but it was the only way I could breathe comfortably and it helped the heartburn as well. Congrats and good luck!!
2006-12-23 16:01:16 · answer #4 · answered by swttxlady 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's recommended because there's a slight chance of the baby's weight possibly cutting off the blood flow to the baby, but if you ask any doctor they'll tell you it's fine to lay any way that is comfortable. If you're still concerned, try propping yourself up with some pillows so you're not flat. That'll prevent the baby's weight from affecting any major arteries or veins.
2006-12-23 15:56:16 · answer #5 · answered by alimagmel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lilfoxi1_4eva is not exactly accurate. For an abortion that happens after the first trimester, they do not CRACK the infants skull. There are surgical ones where they dialate the cervix and remove the baby and then there are ones where they insert a needle into the base of the infants head (once it's been delivered, I believe this is for abortions into the 3rd trimester) and into it's brain. If you are serious about an abortion, seek medical help! Do not attempt it on your own without having sought medical advice. Cost is one thing but your own life is another. And that of a possible infant should you do something on your own and it not work. Educate yourself and then decide. Ziggy did however provide you with some good information.
2016-05-23 03:11:17 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of this, I am 32 weeks pregnant with my 4th. I have found that its really uncomfortable to lay on my back, I have to lay most of the time on my left side otherwise im in too much pain.
2006-12-23 16:48:11 · answer #7 · answered by lividuva 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hi-it's easier for you and baby to breathe laying on your left side.
after about 20 weeks laying on your right side or back can cut off blood flow to some of the major veins and arteries in your body-because of baby growing a lot now, he/she puts pressure on everything when/if you lay on your back.
yikes-just wait till you hit 33 weeks, lol-Im almost 36 now & cant find ANY postition good for sleeping.
2006-12-23 15:56:00 · answer #8 · answered by Shellberry 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it can cut off some of your blood supply. Its best to lay on your left, that gives off the best blood flow. However my sister in law and I both slept on our backs and nothing happened. I couldnt prevent it really bc i would wake up every morning like that. I asked my doctor and he just rolled his eyes and said that he has never heard of any complications from laying on your back. I am sure if you stay propped up a little then it would be ok. Talk to your doctor about it to be sure though.
2006-12-23 15:54:14 · answer #9 · answered by Hayley C 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The weight of the baby can compress blood vessels that supply food and oxygen to the baby. My doctor said to try not to do it, but not to worry too much about it, like if I woke up in the morning on my back instead of on my side as I'd gone to sleep.
2006-12-23 15:54:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋