Is it true that its bad to sleep flat on ur back when ur pregnant?

Question

I just saw this website and I have always slept flat on my back! I am 6 weeks pregnant!

Check it here: http://www.planababy.com/DOS%20AND%20DONTS%20DURING%20PREGNANCY.htm#

Answer 1

after a certain point in your pregnancy it is not advised to lay on your back for extended periods of time. 6 weeks is not that point. the weight of the baby plus the uterus becomes so much that it will compress an artery that supplies your lower extremities with blood. you may keep sleeping on your back until you are further along, i think it is like 20ish weeks.

Answer 2

at 6 weeks its fine once you get to 20 weeks you shouldn't sleep on your back because it constrics some of the blood vessels ect and stop some of the blood flow. It doesn't actully hurt the baby in fact its more worse then it is for you then the baby, usually because your laying on your back and the weight is not being support very well you'll have problems breathing in your sleep and have head spins ect. Its also good that earlier on in pregnancy you sorta start getting into the routine of sleeping on your side

Answer 3

I have had 9 kids and there have been times that I've woken up flat on my back, apparently, it stops the flow of oxygen reaching the baby properly as bub is pushed into your spine and squished up in there among all your insides. An old midwife told me when I was pregnant with my second child that it is best to sleep on your left side as it is the side your main artery is on and thus allows proper blood flow through your body when you are pregnant. I hope this helps. I have slept on my left side through every other 1 of my pregancies and have had wonderfully healthy full of beans babies. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 4

Apparently,i have always slept on my stomach and when i couldnt i started sleeping on my back i found the info below this morning at 6 weeks you dont have much to worry about.

Early in your pregnancy, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large vein (called the inferior vena cava) that carries blood back to the heart from your feet and legs.

Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because your liver is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off that large organ. Sleeping on the left side also improves circulation to the heart and allows for the best blood flow to the fetus, uterus, and kidneys. Ask what your doctor recommends — in most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back.

But don't drive yourself crazy worrying that you might roll over onto your back during the night. Shifting positions is a natural part of sleeping that you can't control. Most likely, during the third trimester of your pregnancy, your body won't shift into the back-sleeping position anyway because it will be too uncomfortable.

If you do shift onto your back and the baby's weight presses on your inferior vena cava, the discomfort will probably wake you up. See what your doctor recommends about this; he or she may suggest that you use a pillow to keep yourself propped up on one side.

Try experimenting with pillows to discover a comfortable sleeping position. Some women find that it helps to place a pillow under their abdomen or between their legs. Also, using a bunched-up pillow or rolled-up blanket at the small of your back may help to relieve some pressure. In fact, you'll find that there are many "pregnancy pillows" on the market. If you're thinking about purchasing one, talk with your doctor first about which one might work for you

Answer 5

During my first pregnancy I asked my doctor the same thing. He told me that I could sleep on my back as long as I could stand it. Your body will tell you when to change positions. It isn't going to cause problems with the baby. I was a back sleeper up until my daughter was born and she is perfectly fine. With my second full-term pregnancy (which I am in now and am 20 weeks) I find it more of a challenge and less comfortable at this point. I am finding it is more comfortable to sleep kind of on my stomach or on my right side. Like I said, your body will tell you when to change position. Good luck.

Answer 6

Always listen to your doctor over a website or magazine any day. I was advised not to sleep on my back, because I had high blood pressure. I was never told anything different other than that.

Answer 7

hi, well I think because of the major veins in you body that run to your legs, when the fetus is large. It is so they don`t get squished, but if you are 6 weeks i think you are ok. I think as long as youa re comfortable. But check what others have to say.

Answer 8

Yes when you get bigger because all the weight of the baby is on your spine, and a major blood vessel. You should be ok now though.

Answer 9

yes they say its bad after you reach so many weeks, but trust me once you get that far along you wont want to sleep on you back because it will be too uncomfortable, it will feel like your belly is squishing everything and you cant breathe

Answer 10

I read that it lies on nerves and blood vessels ... or something.

I try to sleep on my side, but I wake up on my back ... I have no control when sleeping, therefore I don't worry about it!

You could worry yourself stupid with pregnancy!