Let’s be honest you never thought sleeping would become a skill.
First trimester? You're exhausted but still finding your sweet spot.
Second trimester? You're finally getting a little energy back but then someone drops this line:
“You shouldn’t be sleeping on your back anymore.”
Wait. What?
If you’ve been a lifelong back sleeper, that advice probably felt like a betrayal. But before you panic, here’s the real story without the internet drama.
So, What’s the Deal With Back Sleeping?
Around your mid-pregnancy mark, your baby (and belly) start putting more weight on your organs especially a big vein called the inferior vena cava.
When you lie flat on your back, all that pressure can slow blood flow to your heart and to your baby. You might feel dizzy, nauseous, short of breath. And baby? Not getting that steady oxygen flow.
Doctors don’t say it to scare you they say it because it’s preventable.
Okay, So Which Side Is “Correct”?
Left side is the gold standard helps circulation, digestion, and kidney function.
Right side is a solid second.
Back? Not great but don’t stress.
If you wake up and realize you’ve rolled onto your back, you don’t need to sound an alarm. Just turn over and go back to sleep.
Pregnancy isn’t about being perfect it’s about adjusting, day by day.
Tips From Real Moms (Not Just Doctors)
This stuff works because real women swear by it:
- Stick a pillow behind your back so you physically can’t roll flat
- Wedge a cushion under your belly to support it huge game changer
- Go easy on yourself before bed. Stretch a little. A few light pregnancy exercises at home help the body settle.
- Avoid spicy or heavy dinners. A calm tummy is equal to better night. A safe pregnancy diet plays a quiet but strong role here.
- And try not to scroll yourself into anxiety at 11 PM easier said than done, I know.
But What If You’re Still Not Sleeping?
Then talk to your doctor. You don’t have to prove anything by “figuring it out alone.”
Insomnia, back pain, weird dreams they’re all part of the ride. A good OB will not only give you scans and tests but also practical pregnancy care tips that go beyond the textbook.
And at Flowrence Hospital, that’s what we do care for all of it. The clinical and the emotional. The baby and you.
Because when you're well-rested, you glow differently.
So tonight, roll over. Hug your pillow fortress. And know you’re doing great.
