Why do i have to sleep on my back?

Question

Alright. i know your supposed to sleep on your side when your pregnant. I just want to know why?

I used to sleep on my back, and it is THE most comfortable position, but since around 24 weeks, i started to sleep in my side. Its really painfull. My neck has started to hurt, i do use a body pillow to support my legs. But my pillows are kind of flimsy. They don't really support my head and neck.

My fiance is always waking me up in the middle of the night to tell me to turn on to my side. Hes really stubborn about me sleeping on my back.

The question i really want answered is, why do we have to sleep on or sides. Will it hurt the baby to sleep on my back?

By the way, im 31 weeks.

Answer 1

No it wont hurt the baby, its a medical misconception that has been disproven MANY times by doctors.

The baby will not go without oxygen, and you will naturally roll over if your limbs start falling asleep.

You can sleep anyway you are comfortable when you're pregnant. Iam a back sleeper and went through the same thing, had all sorts of concerns from things people on here told me. But three doctors, 2 midwifes, and a handful of nurses later, I was convinced any sleep is fine.

Answer 2

I read something recently on babycenter.com about why. I know you should lay on your left side because it is the best flow of oxyegen through the ambilical cord. Read the answer that they have on baby center though it was VERY good. Both responces were written by Dr.'s
As for not being comfortable. I am 25 weeks and this is my third pregnancy and I can tell you that from this point until you have the baby you will only get less and less comfortable. I view it as your bodys natural way to adjust to not getting the sleep you need. Have your husband read the article too. This way he will not wake you up anymore! Good luck!

Answer 3

I have heard that it shouldn't harm the baby yet it can put alot of pressure on a vessel called the vena cava.. something like that anyway. The reason its best to sleep on your left side is it allows baby to move and stay in the best possible position for birth.. Laying on your back encourages baby to go back to back i think.. I find sleeping on my sides puts enormous pressure on my hips and i always wake up in pain. I have made the situation a little better by sleeping on a big fluffy double quilt folded to add extra comfort. I've heard a big piece of foam can help too. Good luck! Xx

Answer 4

Although there's no real harm in sleeping on your right side, lying on your left side is actually good for you and your baby: It improves the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta and it helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body. That, in turn, reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands. If you train yourself to sleep on your left side early on, you'll have an easier time falling asleep when your belly is bulging later.

During the second half of pregnancy, avoid sleeping on your back, a position that puts the full weight of your uterus on your spine, back muscles, intestines, and the inferior vena cava (the vein that transports blood from your lower body to the heart). Back-sleeping can also put you at risk for backaches and hemorrhoids, inefficient digestion, and impaired breathing and circulation. Lying on your back in the second and third trimester can also cause changes in blood pressure. For some women, it can cause a drop in blood pressure that can make them feel dizzy; for others, it can cause an unwanted increase in blood pressure

Answer 5

I think it's for better circulation. I couldn't sleep on my back because I felt like I had to pee really bad, even though I didn't.

Try this trick. Sleep on your back, but put a thin pillow under your back on one side to elevate your body slightly on the one side...best of both worlds!

Answer 6

Around your second trimester you should start sleeping on your left side. This gets optimal blood flow to the baby and keeps your heart rate and blood pressure where they should be. Sleeping on your back compresses the large veins/ arteries that run from the lower to upper half of your body and works your heart harder to get the baby oxygen and return blood flow.

Answer 7

It can reduce the blood flow to the baby..It causes your uterus to press down on certain vital artery's..Just get better pillows and try to sleep on your side..You don`t have much longer..

Answer 8

I'm actually not sure of the actually definite DR reason, but I do know that it can harm the baby. My DR told me it was okay as long as it wasn't all the time and for long periods of time. Next time you see the DR have her give you the exact reason.

Answer 9

you have a major blood vessel that goes down your back and with all thepressure from the baby you can actually loose feeling in your lower body because of cirulation you can also make it burst..thats what i have been told anyways

Answer 10

I did not know about position while your sleep when pregnant but I used to sleep however I felt better and we (my son and I) are fine.