Anyone else having difficulty sleeping?

[snowmummy]

I'm 17 weeks pg and having real difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep despite being absolutely exhausted. This has been going on for weeks and weeks and weeks and I've had enough. I feel tearful and down just because I'm so tired.

Any tips on coping other than the usual warm bath and milky drink before bed, resting in the daytime (not easy as have 2 other DC's)? I'm hoping that someone will come up with a miracle solution, not likely I know but here's hoping!

[LeviStubbsTears]

No miracle cure, but I really sympathize - am having the same problem, and it's a killer. So annoying not to be able to stock up a bit on sleep now, knowing what's ahead... Hope it improves (mine has started to a little, week 21, though not for too long now I guess!). Hang in there.

[suzym1984]

Hi snowmummy,

I am exactly the same! I'm 19 weeks and I have no trouble getting sleep, but I constantly wake through the night for a few hours at a time, for no reason! It is so annoying as I am sooooo tired and know that I will be exhausted in the morning, but I just cant get any sleep!

I have no advice either I'm afraid, just to prey that it gets better

Altho, if this keeps up any longer I am considering seeing my doctor to maybe be signed off work for a week, just so i can indulge in some day time sleeping. I am no good to anyone at th minute, like a zombie!

[Bumperlicious]

I have have had major insomnia throughout this pregnancy. At about your stage I went to the dr's and begged for something as I was hysterical with exhaustion, and they did proscribe me sleeping tablets, Zopiclone. I took those for a little bit and they helped.

Then it returned with a vengence a few weeks ago, I was awake from 3-6 every night. Went back to the dr's, and they reluctantly gave me more Zopiclone but were keen for me to take them sparingly as I am nearing due date. However I took one and it didn't help so having taken any more.

Just by chance I came up with something that helped. Usually I had no problem getting to sleep, just that I would wake up and not get back to sleep. But one night I couldn't get to sleep at all so I read and instead of going to bed at 9.30 I didn't go to sleep till about 12.20-1am, and that was the first night I didn't have 3am waking, I mean I still woke up to toss and turn but managed to get back to sleep.

I then watched a sleep programme the other night on BBC and it effectively said the same thing for insomnia, limit the time you are in bed, go to bed later and get up earlier, eventually you break the habit. However I would still try and sleep or rest when you can during the day as pregnancy is a bit different.

It's really awful and I do sympathise. Try going to your dr's and telling them how desperate you are. Another thing that helped a little was co-codamol that the dr proscribed me as I was so uncomfortable at night and that was another thing keeping me awake.

Are you a SAHM? I was working till 2 weeks ago but my work were really good and let me reduce my hours without reducing my pay. That helped a lot. But not so easy when you have other DC around. Remember TV is your friend! Do whatever you can do to get through the day. Hopefully your DP will let you have as much rest as possible.

Big for you as I really sympathise, and everyone just says it's normal, and 'it's your body preparing you for having a baby' which makes you want to punch them!

[snowmummy]

Thanks for your replies. Sorry you're all having the same problem too.

I am going to try going to bed later and seeing if that helps. Surely 4 hours unbroken sleep is better than hours of just dozing.

I've had a really lazy day while DH is trying to sort out the house a little, and the DC's are playing, so I'm feeling a little less sorry for myself.

[TimeTravellersWife]

Just wanted to say me too! This is second pregnancy, am 24 weeks now and haven't slept properly in about 6 weeks, and reaching desperation point. Going to take your advice about the doctor

[goodlifemummy]

Me too, and then once I am awake, DH keeps bloody snoring, so I've just done a load of Xmas shopping online!

[excitedmummy2be]

goodlifemummy that sounds horribly familiar!! I suffer from SPD so awake alot at night in pain. Once I'm awake I am then aware of DHs snoring and can not get back to sleep. He then moans because I keep prodding him! It sounds silly but I really don't want to go in the spare room but the snoring Is a really big issue for me at the moment as I'm getting so little sleep. :(

[Lizzzombie]

Me me me!
Was just coming on here to see if I could find any tips.

I am 30 weeks gone, have severe heartburn, mild SPD and a baby who is learning the can can inside me.

And for the past 3 nights I have averaged 4 hours sleep.
I am exhausted.

I can't drink milky drinks before going to bed as that will aggrevate the heartburn. (Am already sleeping with a beanbag behind my pillows to prop me up!)

I have never had insomnia before, and I'm really concerned as I can't seem to function. I just want to lie down on the floor and sleep. (3 yo son would not be impressed.)

Have found reading does help, 3 hours a night reading!!! Didn't realise the Drs might prescribe something.

What about herbal sleeping tablets? Or Nightol? can you take these when you are pregnant?

I am NEVER getting pregnant again. Having this baby is going to be a walk in the park compared to actually carrying it!

[tattycoram]

I was awake from about 2 to 5 last night feeling absolutely wired. I was fantasising about grotbusting hte tiles in the kitchen. Am absolutely shattered now - ds in front of TV but I can't really go to sleep while he's up

[cardamomginger]

Have had bouts of insomnia throughout pregnancy. It sucks majorly. Another tip from the "sleep experts" camp is that if you can;t sleep, rather than just lying there, getting more and more irritated (listening to DH blissfully asleep and getting more and more uncomfortable as pelvis gives out/DC starts yet another somersault routine), get up and do something else - read, internet, DVD. Something gentle, nothing too exciting or taxing.

[ursulabear]

Lizzzombie thats strange, usually milk is my miracle cure for heartburn.

So no sleep is common then...i'm 20 +3 and broken sleep is the norm now...as for my poor partner, i haven't been able to share a bed with him for bout 2mths...he makes it too warm and snores :( bad times.

I used to feel guilty bout napping during the day but sod it, when i can sleep i'm getting it! as for my pregnancy pillow, wow but it makes a bed warm, comfy yes, but bloody warm!

[flowerfairy]

Am glad i'm not the only one. Am 16 weeks. Go to sleep really quickly after reading about 2-3 pages of my book (sounds a real page turner doesn't it). But come 3 or 4 m and i get up to wee, then can't go back to slepp or find a comfy position. Dh keeps complaining that i snore for England a t the moment ( just making up for all of the nights he has been out for a drink and kept me awake). Then of course i fall back to sleep about 5.30-6am and then the alarm goes off. I suppose it's preparing us for the sleep deprivation of those first few months. Can't wait. (Why did iwant another again)

[zahara1]

Same here although I find that I go through phases. I am now 28 weeks and seem to sleep better at the moment.

I find that having a bath in the evening, waiting until at least 11.00 and going to bed with a book helps. I know it sounds silly but I think being in a calm atmosphere really helps so try not to get yourself in an anxious mood in the evenings.

I still wake up every night at about 3.00 or 4.00 for a wee but somehow manage to go back to sleep fairly easily. I now always use a pillow between my knees and under my belly which makes me a lot more comfortable.

I think we have to accept that this is not likely to get better (as apparently it is nature's way to prepare you for sleepless nights when baby arrives). You will find that the sooner you accept it, the less you will stress about it and you will adapt.

Best of luck to us all! xx

[laurenamium]

Im 29 weeks, I get to sleep fine, then wake up a few times in the night to go to the loo. In the last week I have woken up twice and then panicked as I have rolled onto my stomach :-( she is still kicking well so hasnt been squashed yet!

[snowmummy]

Can someone tell nature she doesn't have to prepare me, I remember only too well what the sleepless nights with a newborn are like as I have 2 other DCs!

On a serious note, I did go the docs on monday and she's checking my kidney and liver function although I don't really now why and neither do I expect that anything's wrong! Other than that she was no help.

I've now started leaving the tv on at night, so I sleep a little, watch tv a little then sleep a little more.

[Frolie]

I'm so fed up of not sleeping. This is my sixth week of insomnia and I'm 30 weeks pregnant and working full time - I need my sleep!!

I've been awake since 3am and this seems to be the pattern. I'll generally fall asleep again just before 6am and the alarm will go off at 7am. I've tried everything, lavender, baths, hot chocolate, reading etc... Going to see the Dr today, there must be something he can do? Feeling desperate!

[Miffster]

I have been getting it as well - some nights am awake from 2am til 4am, others i wake at 4.45am and can't get backl to sleep, am going to bed and reading til 11.30pm and it is just not enough sleep for me.

Well-known and safe to take in pregnancy over the counter hayfever remedy/antihistamine Piriton is well-known to cause drowsiness.

A medical friend has suggested that I try that and tonight I am going to do so. I already checked with a consultant at the Homerton about taking Piriton in pregnancy when I had a stuffed up streaming nose from dust - pregnancy rhinitis. And it is fine

Anyway, it's an idea ...

[Miffster]

Oh yeah, it must be the regular Piriton, not the all-day ones

Info on Piriton and drowsiness

[snowmummy]

Radox sleepeasy bubble bath was on offer in Asda today. I bought four bottles

[Frolie]

Thank you Miffster. I'll take a look at Piriton. Saw my lovely GP today and he said he couldn't prescribe me any sleeping tablets, as I'm now on the 'home straight'. He was very sympathetic tho'! Will speak to chemist tomorrow about Piriton.

[newgirl]

is it really obvious but have you tried cutting out caffiene? maybe just one cup of tea in the morning then decaf/herbal rest of the day - I found this really helped me x

[snowmummy]

Thanks newgirl but I don't drink caffeine at all so its not that keeping me awake.

[moirasings]

Funnily enough falling asleep on the sofa in fron t of the telly doesn't seem to be a problem, but as soon as I go upstairs to bed the impossibility of getting confortable kicks in, then after I finally do get to sleep I wake up needing the loo, or from intense nightmares (also apparently common in pregnancy). I have found listening on headphones to history programs on BBC Radio quite effective.

[bunnymother]

I am also suffering. About to hit the iPlayer for an old episode of Antiques Roadshow - that usually does the trick.

And no way can I cut down the caffeine during the day - am 26 weeks pregnant w twins and its the only thing keeping me going during my busy days w The Hurricane little DD.

[prettywhiteguitar]

I am restless all night, keep waking up pretty much throughout. I am only 5 weeks pg :(

just cannot get comfy and am walking around with huge bags under my eyes ! grrrr