how am i suppose to sleep!!??

Question

im really getting frustrated. i can not sleep in any position comfortably. it hurts my back to lay on my back, my stomach has gotten to big to sleep on and when ever i lay on my sides my arms fall asleep and my shoulders ache. i have tried everything and i cant get comfortable. last night i actually slept sitting up. what am i suppose to do?

im 20 weeks pregnant

even before pregnancy i could never sleep on my sides because of my arms falling a sleep and my shoulders aching. now that i cant sleep on my back or stomach i dont know what to do

Answer 1

I feel you hunny...I'm also 20 wks along..and laying on my back is comfy right now but I toss and turn and wake up several times throughout the night. I have a pillow under my head, one on each side and one between my knees. With you arms....I put one under the pillow as if I were touching my face and the other rests right on top of it..but on top of the pillow. I find the couch is actually alot more comfy than the bed.

Answer 2

I'm 37 weeks, and I resorted to sleeping in the recliner. I have always slept with a pillow between my knees, and one under my belly as it started to get big. You can try taking a half a unisom at night, before bed. It will help you sleep and is safe for both you and the baby.

As far as your arms falling asleep, I don't know what to tell you about that. You just have to get used to moving a lot. It is better now to sleep on your sides, your left side is the best, but either is better then your back. Being propped up is fine on your back.

You can also try using a few more pillows to put behind your back, and under you belly. It might help. Also, talk to your doctor about this. They may little tricks you can try.

Answer 3

Do you have a couch with cushions that come off? During my first pregnancy, I took the middle cushion out of the couch and slept on my stomach on the couch. But that wasn't until probably 30 weeks, I feel bad for you that you're this uncomfortable already. If you want, you might consider talking to your doctor about taking Benadryl. It's safe to take as a sleeping pill during pregnancy, and might help you rest no matter what position you're in. Good luck~

*That whole "don't sleep on your back anyways" comment is not true, it's quickly becoming an old wives tale. Your body will signal you to roll over long before you cut off enough circulation to affect you or your baby. Sleep however you can. :o)

Answer 4

Oh honey, I feel for ya. At 20 weeks? You have lots more to go, if you can sleep in a recliner, that might help, Otherwise, use lots of pillows, the best sleeping postion is on your side, use a pillow in between your legs, one propped against your back, use another to put the arm on top over, just try them all and see what feels best. I was sooo big with my third that I had all the same problems, but the pillows really did help.

Answer 5

This is the best thing that I EVER bought!!!
This is a wonderful pillow - I am six months & was already having back aches & difficulty sleeping (tossing/turning); was using 3-4 pillows to get comfortable at night. I was so tired during the day I didn't think I would survive the next 3 months. The snoogle has helped me sleep soundly (only wake up to go to the bathroom). It's shape is amazingly versatile and it's great as a backrest for watching t.v. or reading in bed. Nice for propping up on the couch too.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=1184902761/ref=sr_1_1/601-4832149-5559303?ie=UTF8&asin=B0000635WI

Answer 6

Every woman is different. A lot of women swear by those body pillows. They were too bulky for me. I loved my two feather pillows. I could squash them just about any way and prop them under my tummy or between my legs, or behind my back. At the end I found it helpful to sleep in a recliner when it got too difficult. Good luck! Hang in there. Keep trying things. You'll find something.

Answer 7

Lie tilted to one side but not completely, place a pillow rolled lengthwise behind your back, another between your legs, and one supporting you abdomen. Those really long ones are great-put in between you legs and support your abdomen, then you can lay the arm on that side on top of it, that will help to keep your arm from falling asleep.
I hope that all makes since, it's hard to describe without the visual.

Answer 8

I sleep on my side with four pillows. One in between my legs, one in the front of my so I can curl up to, one under my head, and one at my back slightly tucked under. Of course I wake up numerous times and have to turn over to the other side. But this is what works the best for me.

I am 26 weeks pregnant.

Answer 9

You poor thing. You should try one of those body pillows, they really help take some of the pressure off your belly and other areas. They always seem to on eBay if that help. I always found that a bath before bed helped too. See you Doc about the numb arms etc i had that too in mt wrists its a form of carpel tunnel they can give you exercises and some times physio can help. Good luck hope the advise helps.

Congrats your half way!!!

Answer 10

wow well congratulations on making it half way there...but only 20 weeks and ur already having troubles? Talk to your dr ...maybe its just a small case of anxiety. Yes you are getting bigger but i doubt that will be the problem. YOu are probably getting anxious about ur weight and well ur size i assume, but dont be. Everyone can sleep its all psychological. Try sleeping like a baby...fetal form. Lay on your side move ur arms out to the sides (use them on ur head under ur pillow for comfort) and pull ur legs closer to ur belly like a baby or leave ur legs extended dont matter...using a small pillow about the size of ur head baby slightly bigger might hlep too ...or using a regular pillow between ur legs helps too...sleeping on ur back will cause back problems for the rest of ur pregnancy if ur not use to having the extra weight on ur back...try and not eat anything after 6pm and drink a hot cup of milk...warm it up ..add sugar if u want a lil flavor and hopefully u can have a better night...its tough but dont WORRY cuz then u will only think of it more ...almost there...