Acid Reflux
ajsdream
Posts: 223 Member
I couldn't sleep last night because I've now got acid reflux! Ugh!
I am going to buy myself a wedge to sleep on, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if you can sleep on your back if you're elevated? Or how much do you need to be elevated to sleep on your back? I suppose I can still sleep on my side on a wedge, but hopefully I don't roll off of it, haha
Thanks!
I am going to buy myself a wedge to sleep on, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if you can sleep on your back if you're elevated? Or how much do you need to be elevated to sleep on your back? I suppose I can still sleep on my side on a wedge, but hopefully I don't roll off of it, haha
Thanks!
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Replies
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Your body will let you know if you cannot sleep in a certain position. I still sleep on my back at 37 weeks. Every time I wake up I'm on my back. My OB is fine with it, because our bodies will force us to move or wake up if there is a blood flow issue. So double check to see if you can.
As for the wedge, I had very bad reflux that resulted in surgery years ago. I slept on a wedge and was able to do on my back or on my side. I had to sleep elevated for a little while for vertigo, only on one side. Just give yourself the ability to move around and you'll be fine. Restricting your movement too much is the best way to totally ruin your night's sleep.0 -
I always try to sleep on my side, but often find myself waking up lying on my back. I'm approaching 32 weeks, and was freaking out a bit about it. I asked the doctor, and she said it's really fine. Like TinyJourney said, your body will let you know when it's not.0
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Your body will let you know if you cannot sleep in a certain position. I still sleep on my back at 37 weeks. Every time I wake up I'm on my back. My OB is fine with it, because our bodies will force us to move or wake up if there is a blood flow issue. So double check to see if you can.
As for the wedge, I had very bad reflux that resulted in surgery years ago. I slept on a wedge and was able to do on my back or on my side. I had to sleep elevated for a little while for vertigo, only on one side. Just give yourself the ability to move around and you'll be fine. Restricting your movement too much is the best way to totally ruin your night's sleep.
Thanks for the reply! My midwife said the same thing about waking up on my back, which I do occassionally. I haven't had any issues so far, but I am trying really hard to stay on my side anyway! I am normally a back sleeper, so it's been a tough transition.
I just went out and bought myself a 10" wedge! I am soooo excited!!! Hopefully I can sleep really well tonight. Yippee!!0 -
I always try to sleep on my side, but often find myself waking up lying on my back. I'm approaching 32 weeks, and was freaking out a bit about it. I asked the doctor, and she said it's really fine. Like TinyJourney said, your body will let you know when it's not.
I have been wedging a pillow behind my back, so that if I do roll backwards (which I always do!), I'm not flat on my back. Or I just make sure my dog is behind me and use him as a pillow...just kidding. That accidentally happened once, and now he won't sleep by me!0 -
I am SO sorry! I had major issues with that last time I was pregnant (hit me about 20 weeks, maybe slightly earlier), and I am hoping to avoid that this time. The good news is that there are a lot of over-the-counter stomach medicines you are clear to take (at least according to my OB), but everyone is different, and I understand not everyone likes to take medicine, even "safe" medicine, while pregnant. (I tried to get by on Tums.) Anyway, I'm curious to hear how the wedge works out for you! Please keep us posted!0
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Haha, when I let me dog sleep on the bed, she burrows into my back and won't budge so there's no way I can roll over! I'm glad this post exists because I'd read you shouldn't sleep on your back for blood flow reasons, and even though I wasn't really a back sleeper to begin with, I find myself waking up on my back and being very comfortable! Good to know it's OK and my body will let me know otherwise. I've also heard that sleeping on your right side will help reduce acid reflux because of how your stomach/esophagus lines up (harder to back up when lying on that side) as opposed to when you lay on your left side.I always try to sleep on my side, but often find myself waking up lying on my back. I'm approaching 32 weeks, and was freaking out a bit about it. I asked the doctor, and she said it's really fine. Like TinyJourney said, your body will let you know when it's not.
I have been wedging a pillow behind my back, so that if I do roll backwards (which I always do!), I'm not flat on my back. Or I just make sure my dog is behind me and use him as a pillow...just kidding. That accidentally happened once, and now he won't sleep by me!0 -
I have problem with it too especially at night. I usually drink a glass of milk or a yogurt before bed and sleep on two pillows with a pillow between my legs. It helps me and it doesn't wake me up with it. Now with my son I had it so bad I had to sleep in a recliner that was not fun.0
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I have problem with it too especially at night. I usually drink a glass of milk or a yogurt before bed and sleep on two pillows with a pillow between my legs. It helps me and it doesn't wake me up with it. Now with my son I had it so bad I had to sleep in a recliner that was not fun.
I agree that milk helps. I had really bad heartburn one day last week and drank a boat load of milk, and it really helped. Unfortunately I am lactose intolerant, so it caused some other uncomfortable issues... :ohwell:
As for the sleeping on the back thing, my doc advised me to keep a pillow behind me so that if I roll over I'm on an angle. I've been having more hip pain at night lately, so sleeping on an angle allows me to get comfortable without compromising blood flow to my uterus.0 -
Well, I had high hopes for my pillow wedge, but it's not so great. I can't sleep on my side on it, because it makes my back really hurt and strains my (remaining) stomach muscles. I do use it a couple of times at night to sit up if my hips are starting to hurt, but I haven't managed to fall asleep sitting up yet. But, it was only $35, and I bet it will come in handy the farther along I get.
As for now, I am trying the milk suggestion, and that seems to help a lot! I also keep Tums by my bed just in case, but so far haven't needed them yet!!
Thanks for the help ladies!0 -
I've had heart burn/acid reflux all day and I'm wishing I had milk right now to try, but am too lazy to go to the store to get any (and I leave in 2 days to go home so it'd be a waste to get a quart of milk)... and I also have a migraine to boot. Ugh....0
