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Pregnancy

Sleep...I need sleep

14 replies

turtle23 · 18/07/2009 08:40

I am 22 weeks pg and have the WORST insomnia. It s killing me. I have a toddler to chase as well.
I get out in the fresh air every day, I have NO caffeine, I eat at a sensible time, I get a fair amount of exercise(as much as you can on 3 hours' sleep...)
Any ideas? Are you allowed to try rescue night when you're pg? I am exhausted, my skin is getting hideous, I'm getting a cold sore...all the things that happen when I am REALLY run down.

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StealthPolarBear · 18/07/2009 08:43

Would it help if you stopped trying to go to bed and just lay on the sofa with a duvet watching TV? Take the pressure off iyswim?

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StealthPolarBear · 18/07/2009 08:43

sorry, tell me to p off if you like - as you can probably tell I don't suffer from insomnia

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turtle23 · 18/07/2009 09:00

I do that sometimes. Have you seen what's on at 2am, though?
I try and read as well...nothing seems to help. If I lived in a house where the bedrooms were further away from kitchen I would get cooking and cleaning done. It'sjust so dull to be tired all the time!

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alittleteapot · 18/07/2009 10:47

turtle, me too. My toddler has just started to sleep through but i still wake at 4am and can't resettle. I'm 29 weeks pg. it's driving me mad as i was always a great sleeper in the past and now i'm just about dragging myself through the day. would be alright if i could have an afternoon nap but with a toddler at my heels (who's just dropped her own nap) there's no chance of that either.

Sorry no solutions, just solidarity.

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Gromit78 · 18/07/2009 10:50

Maybe try reading a very boring academic book, used to send me nodding off when I was at university. Otherwise I suggest you pop over to see the doc, they maybe able to perscribe some sleeping tablets that won't harm you or the baby.

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blondieminx · 18/07/2009 17:36

It's hideous isn't it. I've not been sleeping through since about 6 weeks... keep getting up to wee every couple of hours. I've got my 16 week check next week and will be asking the MW if there's anything else I can do beyong the warm bath/milky drink routine! Sympathies....

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chrysanthamumm · 18/07/2009 20:07

Could you try a relaxation CD while you are in bed? I started using a hypnobirthing one (without actually following the proper course - about £10 with the book from ebay) and it invariably sends me off - the book says I am still absorbing all of the wording but I'm pretty sure I'm actually asleep - guess will find out when I try it once labour kicks off!

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jardins · 18/07/2009 20:29

You have all my sympathy. Some people say this lack of sleep during pregnancy (it certainly seems to be a fairly universal rule) is nature's way of preparing us for dealing with babies. Well that doesn't help, does it?!

I'm only 13 weeks but have to get up MINIMUM twice a night for a pee and then I find it so hard to sleep again. I hate sleep deprivation and believe me we suffered from it for four years with our son. One good thing about living in France is that kids are much more part of the family/social scene; ie they go to bed later in order to have dinner with parents, etc. However they have an afternoon nap until the age of five - even at school. Is it not possible for you to lie down with your toddler and crash out? What I don't like is the fact that your sleep time depends on when your child wakes up.

What about lavender oil on your pillow (couple of drops). Camomile infusion ..... so that you can go to the loo THREE times during the night. Sigh, it's not easy, is it?

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turtle23 · 20/07/2009 03:18

I now have basically not slept for three nights. Firs night 9-12, second 930-1, tonight I slept for about 45 minutes somewhere after 12. I am cracking up.
PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!

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turtle23 · 20/07/2009 07:52

Anyone?

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pinkelliecat · 20/07/2009 22:13

I am 6 weeks pregnant and am having the insomnia thing as well. Started last Wedensday, when I slept about 3 hours. Then Thursday night, did not sleep at all. Friday slept OK, then Saturday, slept from about 3 to 6. Slept good last night though.

I went through a really bad insomnia phase a couple of years back. I did a lot of research about sleep and how to deal with Insomnia. The thing is, the more you care about it (getting sleep), the worse it is.

I used to think that if I didnt get 8 hours sleep a night, then there was something wrong with me. However, research suggests that we only actually need 5, and some of that sleep is 'light' sleep - when you are half asleep/half awake.

My tricks for sleep are as follows:-

Do not have any clocks in your room at all. The worst thing you can do is keep looking at the clock thinking "I have been awake for 4 hours" or "there are only 2 hours 'till morning". I tell myself "I don't know how much sleep I may have, but I do know I will rest most of the night at least"

Get up when you get fed up and do something boring for 30 mins - Ironing is pretty boring.

Swimming for 30-60 mins. I dont care how tired I am, even if I have not slept all night. I will swim for 30-60 mins.

Hypnotherapy CDs - even if they get you in a half asleep state - that sleep still counts.

Golden rule - Don't panic. I find that it is not actually the lack of sleep that makes me tired, it is getting myself worked up. I have had nights in the past, where I have remained calm about not sleeping, and been fine the next day. If I compare that to a night where I have panicked (thinking I am going to be so tired and sad tommorrow etc) then I am knackered the next day.

I really feel for you,Insomnia is awful, but it is also exceptionally common. That may not help you, but the knowledge always makes me feel better that I am not the only one!

Take Care
x

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PavlovtheForgetfulCat · 20/07/2009 22:22

turtle Snap! DD is 3, I wake up at 3am most mornings and that is it, wide awake.

I wish I could recommend something, but I am stuck myself. However, DH is going to sleep on the sofa tonight so I can sleep as his snoring does stop me from going back to sleep! Its not that though as I have earplugs and still wake up at the same time.

DH said i had it last time from quite early on too.

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PavlovtheForgetfulCat · 20/07/2009 22:24

Oh, also, last pg, I drank gallons of camomile tea before bed, I am sure it helped, but it does not really help now, mainly as it does not stay down!

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turtle23 · 21/07/2009 06:15

Pavlov- If I drank loads I'd be up anyway...have youtried the homeopathic pillules of chamomile? They don't work for me, but if the ea does..
I'm not worried about it at bedtime, really....it's only when I go to get in the car with DS that I think "should I be driving when I've had 3 hours in the last 72????"