Laying on back while sleeping- Bad or Good?

I am 19 weeks pregnant with twin boys (we just found out about the sexes!) And I know that in my previous pregnancy ( I have a 2 year old) my doctor told me to lay on my sides never my back, but my new doctor hasn't said a word about it. I was wondering if it was just a myth or what? My best friend who recently had a baby said that she read somewhere that it was just a myth and didn't affect anything. But I'm not sure if twin pregnancies are different like that. And it seems everynight I try to not sleep on my back, I wake up an hour later and find myself sleeping on my back! So I don't know how to stop myself from sleeping on my back if it is bad. I just need others' advice and opinions and knowledge! Thanks!

 

My doctor said that if you are comfortable laying on your back it is fine. When you get a little further a long it may not be comfortable anymore, and you might start to get lightheaded. If that happens you should turn on your side. I can't even lay on my back during the ultrasounds because I am totally uncomfortable.

 

My Dr told me to lay on my side for maximum blood flow to the babies. But just like you, even if I fell asleep on my side, I would always wake up on my back. I asked my Dr. about it and she said it wasn't a big deal, it is what it is. Congratulation on the twin BOYS!!

 

QUOTE(tiffanyt87 @ Nov 15 2007, 07:54 AM) [snapback]496807[/snapback]
I am 19 weeks pregnant with twin boys (we just found out about the sexes!) And I know that in my previous pregnancy ( I have a 2 year old) my doctor told me to lay on my sides never my back, but my new doctor hasn't said a word about it. I was wondering if it was just a myth or what? My best friend who recently had a baby said that she read somewhere that it was just a myth and didn't affect anything. But I'm not sure if twin pregnancies are different like that. And it seems everynight I try to not sleep on my back, I wake up an hour later and find myself sleeping on my back! So I don't know how to stop myself from sleeping on my back if it is bad. I just need others' advice and opinions and knowledge! Thanks!




I started having back pain and my doc told me to make sure that I am laying on my side and to help place a pillow between your legs to even out your hips. It has helped but sometimes I find myself on my back too

 

Congratulations on your twin boys! Both of my doctors told me not to sleep on my back but it's not a problem if you wake up on your back. Like the others said, as your pregnancy progresses you probably will start to get sick if you stay on your back too long because your uterus is so heavy and presses on the veins/arteries. I keep myself off my back, I just put a pillow behind me.

 

When I was bed ridden (10 years ago) I was told to lay on my left side… my left shoulder has never been the same… this pregnancy nothing has been said but from 10 weeks on if I lay on my back I get nauseous… even this morning I ended up throwing up stomach acid … and it was because I woke up on my back… darn dog was dreaming and barked in his sleep… grrrr

Elizabeth

PS Congratulations on your twin boys

 

I would say that laying on your back won't be comfortable for too much longer!!

Unless, and this was something my OB suggested (never quite worked for me), if you make a large wedge out of pillows, so that your upper body is more upright. I've had to combine the wedge with side-sleeping.

 

Laying on your back isn't going to really affect your babies- but it will affect you.
The reason your OBs tell you guys not to is because when you do the babies lay right on your vena cava. Which causes you to get very nauseous, lightheaded, etc.
It cuts off oxygen and blood flow to your brain.
Which for long periods of time is damaging to your babies, as well.
But I wouldn't really worry about it if you fall asleep on your side and wake up on your back. Just make sure you roll to your side again
I do it about 8 times a night!

 

I think if it's comfortable for you, do it.

It is very painful for me to lay on my sides, and has been from pretty early on, even with a pillow in between my legs. My back is actually the only comfortable position for me. I'm on my back for most of the day (my head is slightly elevated). I don't have problems with lightheadedness or nausea, though.

jenny

 

My OB told me that I would know when it was time to stop sleeping on my back, because I would feel nauseous or dizzy. That never really happened, although around 24 weeks I started sleeping sort of propped up on pillows, just enough to keep me from being flat on my back. It was actually the only way I could sleep for most of my pregnancy because lying on my side hurt my hips too much. Then towards the very end (35 weeks or so), I had to go back to my side because even propped up, the belly was so heavy that I couldn't breathe.

Anyway, the message I got was that if it's still comfortable, it's OK.

 

Reasons to lay on your (left predominately) side: If you've been experiencing any swelling in your legs or feet, it's from the uterus blocking the return of blood to the heart causing extra fluid to leak into your body tissue. This puts more pressure on your kidneys and heart to work. Laying on your side improves circulation to your kidneys allowing excess fluid to be eliminated. The swelling also puts pressure on your nerves in your arms and legs, even causing temporary carpal tunnel syndrome. But if you aren't swelling yet, I totally understand. With DD, I didnt start swelling until the end.

The most important reason to lay on your side (particularly left side) is that if you sleep on your back the uterus is laying on top of important blood vessels (the aorta and inferior vena cava) that run down the back of your abdomen. This can decrease circulation to your baby.

This I've gotten from my Expecting Twins, triplets, or quads book. What to Expect when you're expecting, and the Mayo Clinic complete book of pregnancy and baby's first year. HTH.

Just because a dr. doesn't bring it up, doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Most doctors won't bring up something unless you have a complaint that brings the thought up. Meanwhile they remain completely blissfully ignorant that it's something on your mind. If you have blood pressure issues though, when laying down on your side, you may want to try to incline a bit higher. But the side is best for circulation for both you and the babes.