[Sunnycat]

I am 18 weeks pregnant and currently share a bed with DS.

I have read that the optimal position to sleep in is on the left side. I've been trying to do this as much as possible but it hurts my back. The most comfortable position is on my back and I find this positions helps alleviate my back pain.

Also DS moves around a lot in his sleep and likes to sleep in the crook of my arm or lying with his head on my belly so sometimes I'm limited with the sleep positions because it depends on how he is sleeping.

Is it really bad to sleep on my back? Sleep is so few and precious at the moment that I just want to be comfortable and get some rest!

[Sinister Bonnet]

No it really is not a problem. The side sleeping idea is only a theory when a pregnancy has issues. For a normal pregnancy just get the sleep as you can and don't worry about blood flow to the placenta.

[Wildence]

I think you might find it uncomfortable sleeping on your back in the third trimester. But right now just enjoy it

[TwiceThe Woman]

At 18 weeks it shouldn't be a problem - but as you get bigger the uterus can put pressure on the IVC (Inferior Vena Cava) - the major vessel returning blood to the heart and blood pressure can drop - and often will drop BP if you are around full term.
With women who are due we often have a small sandbag to wedge under their right hip just to tilt the uterus over enough to the left side to allow adequate return and get an accurate BP reading.
For anyone with back pain - very often back pain can be relieved when lying on your side with a firm pillow between your legs.
All the best!

[lozoodle]

Once you get to the stage it is a problem its too uncomfortable to do so anyway. Just sleep how you are most comfortable, i find i wake up if im sleeping in a positiom that isnt ideal and usually feel a bit icky until i roll over.

[Cyaira]

It definitely has an effect for me in the third trimester - if I lie on my back I get dizzy and lightheaded and feel quite unwell. This is fairly quickly relieved by rolling onto my side. I definitely do not think the side sleeping thing is 'only a theory when a pregnancy has issues'!!

I found sleeping on my side with a pillow shoved against my back and one between my knees helpful for getting sleep when you want to sleep on your back. I also have sciatica and SPD so know what you mean about back pain! A good massage or hot pack can help.

[Ehill]

There was a study recently released that there was a correlation between back sleeping and still births and the advice was not to sleep on your back in late pregnancy. But I agree with the PP, by the time you get to this stage it will be too uncomfortable anyway.

[againagain]

It definitely has an effect for me in the third trimester - if I lie on my back I get dizzy and lightheaded and feel quite unwell.

This was my experience as well. Beware the dentist chair, osteo or anyone else who makes you lie down! It didn't tend to bother me until 25 weeks or so.

[Sunnycat]

Okay cool thanks everyone I'll just keep doing it until it becomes uncomfortable. At the moment sleeping in awkward side positions, jig sawed around DS is doing my back in and back sleeping gives me relief! Thank you.

[Marley&Me]

I am almost 24 weeks pregnant & like you sleep with DS who is 2. He likes to lie all over me limiting my movement sometimes as I don't want to disturb him.

I go to sleep on my side, generally right but wake every morning flat on my back. It hasn't bothered my at this point although I do sleep with a pillow between my legs and have done since my first pregnancy lol!