Not Sleeping

[BabyHMummy]

Please god someone help me!!!

I am 13 weeks pg and for the past 3 weeks I have averaged about 3 hours straight sleep per night and it is damn near killing me. I have been to the doctors who gave me relaxation exercises which are useless.

The issue seems to be waking up needing to pee and then not being able to get comfy enough to drop off again...i then end up awake for the next 2-3 hours tossing and turning and then end up knackered all day. I know the obvious answer is to limit my fluids but as a HG sufferer the dehydration is awful and although not sick as much now i still get easily dehydrated

Help?!

[cupcake78]

There is not alot you can do! I'm 19 weeks and averaging 4hrs a night. I have done since the beginning.

Yes it's exhausting. I also have HG. The only thing that helps me is to nap if and when you can. Until you feel more lively and can get fresh air etc its just hard. Rest as much as possible.

[BabyHMummy]

thanks cupcake78 - am just starting to stress cos am so tired and due back to work tomorrow (been off since before i found out is was pg) and dreading it as am so tired and not sure i will cope while i am still not sleeping...

[PandaOnAPushBike]

I was exactly the same at that point, thought I'd never sleep again. It did start to get better though after about week 14. I've just got a prescription weighted blanket (for other reasons) and the last few nights I haven't even woken to turn over and am waking around 5/6 am sore as anything.

[Lionsntigersnbears]

BabyHMummy, don't limit fluids. It wont make any difference and it can make it worse. Your bladder just gets mighty irritable in the first trimester and takes umbrage at the slightest thing so you're up and down to the loo. It does settle down- at least it did for me in both my pgs. In the meantime be very kind to yourself, and try to find something to do once you wake up that isn't tossing and turning. As with any insomnia, lying there stressing out because you can't sleep just makes things worse too. I feel your pain. I've had insomnia now for years, waking at 2, getting back to sleep at 5 or 6, DD up at 7. Your body adjusts if it has to, but in your case it should be temporary and pass really soon.

[peanutMD]

You have my sympathy its awful isn't it?!

I'm 35+3 and for me its getting worse but I find that of I atleast lay in bed and rest it really does help.

Extra pillows help, I have a v cushion between my knees and alongside my bump to lean on and a normal pillow under my feet and lying on my left side is the only thing that helps with my major indegestion.

[peanutMD]

Should also say I was given a Kindle and bought a small e reader light which is a good send in the middle of the night as it means I'm still relaxing.

[Missingthemincepies]

Hideous isn't it?
Not a lot to be done but do try hypnotherapy CDs which always sent me to sleep. A friend was struggling with insomnia at this stage and listened to this at all hours of the night on headphones and worked for her too. Only £12 if it doesn't help.
30+2 with dc2 and seriously fed up of getting up to pee too so know how you feel (+heartburn, spd.....). Pregnancy has very little to recommend it aside from the wonderful little person you're making. Really is worth it.

[BabyHMummy]

thanks ladies! i appreciate the advice!! I have to agree with missingthemincepies, there really is very little about being pregnant that would inspire me to ever go through this again other than knowing that at the end of it i will have the greatest gift ever in my arms...it really is the only thing keeping me going!

having gone back to work i am sleeping a little better but it is a huge drain on my system and am ending up with excruiating stomach cramps - the consultant says its nothing more than ligaments stretching etc so not overly worried but still not the greatest thing and another to add to the ever growing list of reasons i am not loving being pregnant!

[FoofFighter]

limiting fluids won't help, will just get that cystitis starting feeling instead, feelign the urge then trickling out a dribble, so you'd still wake.

I am a huge insomnia sufferer at the best of times and in early pg it was horrendous, now at almost 14w I am averaging three nights of fab sleep and the rest hit and miss but am used to it now. Biggest problem is the boredom when you wake, I don't want to get in the habit of putting on TV or surfing the net etc so I just lie there which makes it seem even longer!!

Wish I had a magic answer as nothing seems to make any diffrence, I just feel caffeine wired all the time.

[JethroTull]

I am only just 6 weeks and am also not sleeping very well. I can't work out if I'm tired because I'm not sleeping or tired because I'm pregnant.

It's weird just writing that sentence 'I'm pregnant'. We were trying for 3 years & were sucessful after our first round of IVF. I'm terrified!!