Pregnant sleeping on back | ExpatWoman.com
 

Pregnant sleeping on back

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 22:11

Is it ok to sleep most of the night on my back when I'm 23 weeks pregnant?

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 18:56
I always slept on my back when I was pregnant. Until one night i woke up completely unable to breathe. I went to the Dr who told me as my baby was breech, she was laying across the main artery in my back and cutting off the blood flow which was making me breathless. I always tried to sleep on my side from then but I just never felt comfortable. I think you are best to do what ever makes you comfortable. The midwives say sleeping on your left is the best for getting your baby into the correct position but if its uncomfortable for you then I say a good night sleep wins every time!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 13:54
I loved sleeping on my back as well, and did it quite a way through my pregnancy, funny thing is now, I don't like it very much - so strange! Anyway, I remembered there was another thread on this a while ago, so thought it might be helpful... http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=123888
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 21:46
I found this to be a huge challenge as I LOVE sleeping on my back. What I did was prop up heaps of pillows so my body was elevated a bit and then I was able to comfortably sleep on my back.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 16:50
As DC said, it will limit the flow of blood back to your heart as the pressure of bub's on your vena cava is obstructed. It may make you short of breath and eventually light-headed! I would try to avoid it if you can, obut obviously while you're sleeping it's going to happen - it will wake you!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 16:23
I also read that its bad for you on several websites, they also mention that being on your back decreases the amount of oxygen being passed to your baby. but as Plumie said, I too fall asleep on my side and would wake up on my back, and this would happen several times a night(im 26 weeks now), so I just kinda guessed its not good for you thats why I kept waking up. It just depends on how comfortable you still feel on your back..
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2011 - 14:14
with my first pregnancy i could sleep on my back and did so till about 8 months.... same this time round..
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EW GURU
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 22:29
That is true, however i used to fall asleep on my side and would wake up on my back! Not sure for how many hours i was on my back, but all turned out okay **touch wood** ;)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 February 2011 - 22:16
When I was pregnant I read you shouldn't sleep on your back over 16 weeks because baby puts pressure on the main blood vessel taking blood back up to your heart. <em>edited by DubaiCat on 07/02/2011</em>
 
 

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