When should I Stop sleeping on my stomach and how???

Question

I have always been a stomach sleeper, I really can't sleep any other way! I am 3 and a half months pregnant, and as much as I try to sleep on my side, I always find myself on my stomach when I wake up. Even if I put a pillow between my legs, I manage to kick it off the bed! At what time does it become dangerous to sleep on your stomach, and how can I break the habbit?? I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Answer 1

You really should stop sleeping on your stomach immediately as you are in the second trimester. I too am a stomach sleeper and trust me I feel your pain. The only way I was able to stay on my side was with a full length body pillow. I would hug it and place it between my legs. Once in a while I would kick it out too but this did seem to help. Soon you will be habitual. I remember after my son was born, it took me a couple of days before I realized that I could begin to sleep on my tummy and I couldn't stop giggling as I rolled onto my stomach.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 2

We seem to be in the same generation when pediatricians told mothers to place their babies on their stomachs. Though, I did this all my childhood, I would force myself to wake up because I would stop breathing briefly.
To answer your question, I would talk to my doctor/sleep specialist, but until then, I would get a body pillow. This is what I did. I found out that it was the closeness of my body against the bed that kept me with the habit of sleeping on my stomach. I was in my 3rd month and still sleeping on my stomach and finally broke away from that sleeping position. Being pregnant with my first child, helped me to get used to new sleeping positions.
See if the body pillow helps. If it doesn't, try making sure that you're really sleepy before you get to bed and lie on your side with the body pillow to see if you fall asleep that way. For me, it took several times during my first pregnancy, but I eventually began to adjust as I had to....my belly was getting bigger, so I had no choice!
Anyway, I am sorry I made this so long, but I usually write novels on YA.
I wish you the best of luck and hope all the best for you and your baby.

Answer 3

There is no danger to sleeping on your belly. After a while it becomes uncomfortable. At this point I always use a pillow to prop my leg and belly and I can get close to the same postioning, enough to sleep anyway. There is also a company that sells a cushion you can put on your bed with a hole in the middle for your belly so you can sleep on your belly. I don't know how well it works, but I ran across their site before. I usually use this rule of thumb: if it is hurting you or making you uncomfortable stop doing it. The baby probably doesn't like it either. Otherwise, I feel free to sleep however I wish, exercise, clean, etc. My one guilt is still picking up my toddler, but I know I'm not alone as all the women in my play group that are preggers do it too lol. Good Luck!

Answer 4

It's actually not dangerous to sleep on your tummy, so long as you are comfortable. I've done a lot of research on this because I'm the same way. Every doctor and every book I've read that there is no danger from stomach sleeping unless you are uncomfortable.

And even then, the danger comes from simple muscle and nerve stress from being uncomfortable.

Your baby is surrounded by a cushiony sack of fluid meant to brace the impact of slips and falls and accidents, nevermind stomach sleeping.

As long as you are comfy this way, relax. You will find that as your pregnancy progresses, you will move to a more comfortable position (not that much is comfortable after 7 months or so)

Good luck!

Answer 5

I hate not being able to sleep on my stomach so much! and not sleeping on my back is difficult now that I cant sleep on my stomach!

I found @ Sears, wal mart also has them, its like a triangle shaped pillow, I call it a wedge, the is thinner then goes wider to hold your belly. It really helps from tummy pains but it also stopped me from rollingonto my front, I found normal sized pillows ended up on the ground, or who knows where through the night, but this pillow works for me! and this is my second duration LOL

Answer 6

You will be bale to tell when it is no longer comfortable. The bulge will prevent you from turning into your stomach in the night eventually. I am also a stomach sleeper and it was about when I was 5 months pregnant I could no longer do it. The baby will be fine as long as you stop when your body tells you to.

Answer 7

I slept on my stomach until I could no longer get into that position. My pregnant belly made it impossible to sleep on my tummy. That is when I purchased a "body pillow" and started sleeping on my side. But it was well after my 6th month when I did that.

Answer 8

i have heard that this to is an old wifes tale. ask your dr thought. i read in a book it is ok to do but when you wake up just go back to your side. i mean really, woman have been sleeping and preggo since time begain. we are here ! i have got a body pillow and that helps a bit . as for sleeping on your left side that is for your curulation as you get more pregoo
congrats

Answer 9

your stomach will let you know when to change positions. Mine always gets uncomfortable around 4 1/2 months. once the lumps grows pretty hard.....you won't have a choice but to lay on your back or sides.

Answer 10

i also am a stomach sleeper. i slept on it up until a few weeks ago when it hurt when i did and your body just tells you its A LOT comfortable on your side. your still fine. i was and theres nothing wrong with it. youll know when to start on your side. good luck to you.