WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Sleeping on your back while pregnant

Sleeping on your back while pregnant
One position that is often recommended for pregnant women is sleeping on your back, providing numerous benefits for both you and your baby. 
In this guide, we will explore the advantages of this position and share some tips to make it more comfortable for you.
The Benefits of Sleeping on Your Back
• 🩸 Better blood circulation: Sleeping on your back allows for optimal blood flow to the uterus, placenta, and baby. It prevents compression of major blood vessels, such as the vena cava, which can occur when sleeping on your stomach or back.
• 🎈 Reduced swelling: During pregnancy, many women experience swelling in their legs and ankles. By sleeping on your back, you can help alleviate this discomfort by allowing fluids to circulate properly and reducing the pressure on your lower extremities.
• 😅 Improved digestion: Sleeping on your back helps prevent acid reflux and heartburn, common complaints during pregnancy. By elevating your upper body slightly with a pillow, you can help keep stomach acids where they belong, reducing the likelihood of unpleasant reflux episodes.
• 🤞🏽 Minimized back and hip pain: As your baby grows, the added weight can strain your back and hips. Sleeping on your back allows for better spinal alignment and relieves pressure on these areas, leading to reduced pain and discomfort.
Making Back Sleeping More Comfortable
While sleeping on your back has its advantages, it's important to note that as your pregnancy progresses, it may become less comfortable due to the weight and size of your baby. However, you can still enjoy the benefits by following these tips: • ☁️ Pillows for support: Place pillows under your knees to relieve pressure on your lower back and enhance comfort. Or try tucking a small pillow or rolled-up towel behind your back to provide extra support.
• 🔀 Different positions: If sleeping directly on your back becomes uncomfortable, try a slightly inclined position by propping yourself up with pillows. This will maintain the benefits of back sleeping while reducing strain.
• 🤰🏻 Pregnancy pillow: These specially designed pillows can provide support for your growing belly, back, and hips, making back sleeping more comfortable. There are various types available, so find one that suits your preferences.
• 👂🏼 Listen to your body: Your body knows best!  If back sleeping is uncomfortable or causes dizziness, breathlessness, or lightheadedness, try side sleeping.
All you need to know
Juliette
Midwife for 8+ years
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Kayla
11 Jan 2024

Can you sleep on your right, left & on your back while pregnant? Or when you sleep on your right side it makes your baby heartbeat low Need Answers ASAP!!!

13 comments
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Jasmyn🪴🧘🏽‍♀️
I mean I personally sleep however I feel most comfortable. Since I’m in my second trimester I sleep on my stomach with my leg prompted up with a pillow so it’s not too much weight on my stomach.. other times I sleep on my sides.
27 Mar 2024

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Kayla
Okay Thank You Because I Normally Sleep On My Sides & My Stomach With A Pillow Also 🤍🤍
27 Mar 2024

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Anastasia
30 Oct 2023

What’s a comfortable sleeping position when 14 weeks pregnant, I sleep on my side but somehow always end up sleeping on my back and wake up that way as well.

5 comments
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Shavette
Put a pillow under yo side & behind you
27 Mar 2024

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Christy
I’m the same lol
27 Mar 2024

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Selena
29 Sep 2023

Hey moms, is it okay to use a body massager on your back and hips while pregnant?

2 comments
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Emma💙
Should be yes
27 Mar 2024

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JusJuliez
I use a heating pad but I don’t see why you couldn’t
27 Mar 2024

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Taylor
22 Jan 2023

Anyone know if sleeping on your back at this point is okay or should I only be sleeping on my side?

5 comments
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Stacey
They say left side, but with my last pregnancy and this one I did what I wanted. My body hurts just laying on one side. So far so 👍
27 Mar 2024

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maasia
me personally i heard you can lay on your back up until 18 weeks but most doctors say do what’s more comfortable for you , your body will tell you when it’s time to switch positions
27 Mar 2024

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Tia
11 Jan 2023

So just to confirm its not good to sleep on your back & stomach during pregnancy or ?

10 comments
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Bre 🫶🏽
I slept on my stomach until my stomach got big and just uncomfortable for me but I had no problems 🤷🏽‍♀️
27 Mar 2024

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Kasey
They say not to sleep on your back because the pressure from the organs and such presses on the main artery that supplies the fetus.
27 Mar 2024

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Lizbeth
8 Aug 2022

Have any of you had like moderate cramping in the lower back and in your stomach while pregnant?

8 comments
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Goddess_94
Yes pretty much everyday. I will be 9 weeks tomorrow and it just doesn't go away. My ob said that my back and stomach muscles are weak. She suggested light stretching and working out to strengthen the muscles.
27 Mar 2024

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Lizbeth
Ok thank you
27 Mar 2024

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Latavia
7 Aug 2022

Does anyone mom know if it is safe to use Icy-Hot roll On on your back while 6 months pregnant???

2 comments
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shanterica
I heard it was okay but not every day i think it would be fine but i would confirm wit the doc my sister did before n my niece is fine
27 Mar 2024

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Liaha
Try biofreeze and yes its safe just not everyday
27 Mar 2024

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Kayla🥰
22 Jun 2022

Is it true you can’t sleep flat on your back during pregnancy? Cause I’ve woke up dizzy a few times after sleeping a full night on my back

4 comments
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Shay
yeah try not to fall asleep on your back because there are important blood vessels going to your heart that need to be protected. Don't worry about if you fall asleep in a different position and wake up on your back. That is fine. Try sleeping on your sides or even stomach (until that's uncomfortable)
27 Mar 2024

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Kayla🥰
The blood vessels would have something to do with waking up dizzy wouldn’t they ? I was so confused when I woke up multiple mornings feeling like my whole body and house was spinning
27 Mar 2024

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marcy
7 Jun 2022

Hi guys!😆. Im 13 weeks pregnant and I been having problems sleeping. This pregnancy wasn't plan, I got pregnant while on the implant. This is my second baby. It feels so much different than my first one. I also know that sleeping on your left side is the best side to sleep on for the baby but I just can't, im so uncomfortable sleeping on the left side. Is this Nomar 🤔. Or am I the the only one.

9 comments
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Jomayra
I’m the same I can’t sleep on my left side 😫🤦🏽‍♀️
27 Mar 2024

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marcy
I honestly try so hard but I just can't. I feel so bad for my baby tbh
27 Mar 2024

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shavonte
10 May 2022

I know sleeping is normal while being pregnant but that’s literally all i do 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩 wake up eat & sleep!

4 comments
🐼
🐼 🎀 𝒞𝒮 🎀 🐼
Me too. So so sleepy. 😴😴😴😴
27 Mar 2024

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Gemi
Always tired like i dont know how im going to deal with work feeling like this
27 Mar 2024

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