I am pregnant and woke up from sleeping on my back—have I harmed my baby?
In general, it is not recommended, but don’t worry about it if it happens occasionally!
Most pregnant women have heard that sleeping on your back is not recommended after the first trimester of pregnancy. This is because as the uterus grows, laying flat can cause it to compress on the major blood vessels in the body that bring blood to and from the lower half of your body. This can lead to you feeling dizzy from low blood pressure and may also worsen problems like swelling in your legs and hemorrhoids. However, occasionally waking up flat on your back is not a major concern. As you sleep at night, you are constantly shifting positions. For example, if you have been on your back a while and your blood pressure started to drop, you would unconsciously adjust to sleeping in a better position. So having woken up on your back might mean you only recently landed in that position. If you are worried, however, you can always use a body pillow to help keep you comfortable.
Reviewed by Dr. Jen Lincoln, April 2020
HELLO HI IS IT POSSIBLE ANYONE I HAD MY TUBES TIED 1994 WHEN I HAD MY SON NOW I WENT TO THE DOCTOR AND MY DOCTOR SAID IM 12WEEKS I DNT UNDERSTAND CAN IT BE SUMETHING ELSE
Hi Angela, No birth control is 100% except for abstinence, so it is entirely possible pregnancy can happen after something like a tubal ligation. You can see more here about the normal failure rates: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/UnintendedPregnancy/PDF/Contraceptive_methods_508.pdf
In essence, there is a less than 1 in 100 chance of pregnancy after a tubal, but that number isn’t 0, and it is cumulative – meaning that rate applies every year. That means after 10 years, your risk is 5 in 100. So it’s totally possible, but I hope you are handling the news OK!
wow!! I make it to 3rd trimester so happy its almost over
My chiropractor told me that as long as your legs aren’t asleep, both you and the baby are ok.
Also, as state in the article, your body will adjust to a more comfortable position if you’ve been on your back too long!
Just relax and enjoy all the sleep you have, while you still have a chance to get it!!!
Isn’t that the truth?!
I didn’t even know about not sleeping on your back! Thanks for the tips.
Yes, there are so many things out there to worry about in pregnancy that if you missed this one, I am glad 🙂