TAH: Sleeping positions

Hoping to hear from belly and side sleepers out there!

I've never been able to fall asleep on my back, and if I shift onto my back while asleep, I almost always wake up. Sleeping on my back is just not an option, TAH or not.

I'm hoping that if I stick my pillow under my belly in the hospital - I may be there for as long as five nights - that will give me enough support to be able to sleep on my side, if not my belly.

I had my TAH on 4/29, and too am a side or belly sleeper. Last week was the first time I tried to sleep on my side, but mainly that was mostly because of complete fear that it would hurt. Turns out it was not near as bad as I thought. My husband got me some small blankets and I was able to fold then like small pillows and wedge then under my belly and sleep on my side. It was the best night sleep I have had since this surgery. I have not tried my belly yet but it is still very tender and I could not imagine any pressure on it, but thats just me. Hope this helps and heres to wishing you a very uneventful surgery! Good Luck!!

I'm a belly sleeper and actually slept comfortably on my side in the hospital. I tried to sleep on my tummy last night and couldn't get comfy. I'm learning to sleep on my side more with lots of pillows.

I had my TAH April 19, slept on my side, with pillows behind me and supporting my belly in the hospital. I've been sleeping on my stomach now for over a week comfortably with no pain at all. Everyone is different and heals differently, I'm just over 3 weeks post op and feel fabulous. Good luck to you!

I am a side sleeper, and the hernia doc told me no, "sleep on your back". Fortunately I had the head of my bed elevated to almost a sitting position in the recovery and hospital room. Like sleeping in a recliner. I tried to continue this at home with pillows and bolster, but couldn't get comfortable - started on my back, only to slide down during the night and wake up on my side. It didn't help that I had a sore spot on my tailbone from an attempted epidural.

A body pillow supporting under the side of my belly helped, as well as a "semi-side" position, turning my hips slightly while keeping legs straight. A couple of weeks pre-op I resumed side sleeping, although with the enlarged fibroid uterus and hernia gone I find it easier to breathe and sleep on my back...

I had my LSH April 22nd. I've always slept on my belly but since my op I have to sleep on my back, sometimes I can manage my side but it tends to be uncomfortable. To be honest I've got used to it now. Good luck for a speedy recovery

Body pillows are great for tummy sleepers. I bought one and it was a great investment. It only cost about $10 at the local major discount store. They also sell pillowcases for the body pillow, but I used two king sized pillowcases and put them on the pillow -- one from each end and they overlap in the middle. I recommend the body pillow highly.

Norway Lynn made the suggestion that saved me... A great body pillow! You want one that is soft yet offers some type of support. I still have a swollen belly because I'm a bit of a slow healer, so sleeping on my side is my next best option to my stomach. Try experimenting with different types of cushions and pillows to see what your comfort options are.

Good luck on your upcoming surgery.

I am a side sleeper and could not do this for about 2 weeks, it was on the back only. When I would try it felt like things were falling over? I did get a snoogle pregnancy pillow from a friend and it helped alot once I was able to go back to sleeping on my side. You might have better luck propping yourself up, I see many women on here who sleep in a recliner, I did not have one.