Sleeping like a Baby (week 23)

I'm sleeping like a baby...who is teething, windy, and generally angry.

I don't really want to sleep on my tummy, sleeping on my back makes my back sore and sleeping on my side makes my hips sore.

I ordered a special pillow but it hasn't arrived yet. In the meantime one by one the pillows from the spare room have migrated to my bed. Oh to be a fly on the wall. I look ridiculous. Pillows between my knees, supporting by back, my bump and anywhere else that eases the pressure.

I think every good daddy should enjoy a sympathetic pregnancy and share some of the fun. Being the generous and kind person I am I have been helping Daddy out with this. Let's just say I am not my most graceful whilst fidgeting. Remember that nursery rhyme about ten in the bed? Little One may not actually say roll over, but it won't be long before Daddy falls out.

I wonder if pregnancy is preparing us for parenthood and all the sleepless nights it will involve.

Clinical Comment

 Simon Mehigan Consultant Midwife

Oh the joy of sharing a bed with a pregnant woman.... I can completely empathise with your partner who, if he has any sense, will be asking you at least once during the night "are you ok?" "can I get you anything?" and won't make reference to his disturbed sleep or lack of pillows (voice of experience talking guys and yes I can recall sleeping on the floor at least once per pregnancy!)

You are right though; all these disturbed nights are getting you ready for when your baby arrives. In the first few weeks of their lives babies don't often sleep for more than 2 or 3 hours. Imagine the shock to your system if up until the day your baby was born you were getting 8 hours straight through and then all of sudden you were only able to grab 2 hours at a time? The human body is an amazing thing and it is preparing you and your partners in ways that you probably never imagined.

Pillow wise you should use a thicker one between your knees particularly as the pregnancy progresses or if you develop pelvic pain with a smaller one under your bump.

 

Do you have a question for Anna or Simon? If so please email us at Feedback@lwh.nhs.uk or alternatively use the feedback tool at the bottom of this page.

• Read Anna's previous blogs

  I'm sleeping like a baby...who is teething, windy, and generally angry.

  I don't really want to sleep on my tummy, sleeping on my back makes my back sore and sleeping on my side makes my hips sore.

  I ordered a special pillow but it hasn't arrived yet. In the meantime one by one the pillows from the spare room have migrated to my bed. Oh to be a fly on the wall. I look ridiculous. Pillows between my knees, supporting by back, my bump and anywhere else that eases the pressure.

  I think every good daddy should enjoy a sympathetic pregnancy and share some of the fun. Being the generous and kind person I am I have been helping Daddy out with this. Let's just say I am not my most graceful whilst fidgeting. Remember that nursery rhyme about ten in the bed? Little One may not actually say roll over, but it won't be long before Daddy falls out.

  I wonder if pregnancy is preparing us for parenthood and all the sleepless nights it will involve.

  Clinical Comment

   Simon Mehigan Consultant Midwife

  Oh the joy of sharing a bed with a pregnant woman.... I can completely empathise with your partner who, if he has any sense, will be asking you at least once during the night "are you ok?" "can I get you anything?" and won't make reference to his disturbed sleep or lack of pillows (voice of experience talking guys and yes I can recall sleeping on the floor at least once per pregnancy!)

  You are right though; all these disturbed nights are getting you ready for when your baby arrives. In the first few weeks of their lives babies don't often sleep for more than 2 or 3 hours. Imagine the shock to your system if up until the day your baby was born you were getting 8 hours straight through and then all of sudden you were only able to grab 2 hours at a time? The human body is an amazing thing and it is preparing you and your partners in ways that you probably never imagined.

  Pillow wise you should use a thicker one between your knees particularly as the pregnancy progresses or if you develop pelvic pain with a smaller one under your bump.

   

  Do you have a question for Anna or Simon? If so please email us at Feedback@lwh.nhs.uk or alternatively use the feedback tool at the bottom of this page.

  • Read Anna's previous blogs