To ask for sleeping advice when pregnant

[tallah]

Sorry, I know it's not AIBU but am desperate and you guys usually come through!

I've not slept for the first 3 months of my pregnancy for more than a couple of hours a night. Not sure why as don't feel stressed (apart from the fact I can't sleep) and I work and have a toddler so could do with not feeling so horrendous!

If anyone has any tips I will be so grateful!! Thank you so much!

Ps sorry if this is posted twice somewhere, lost the first one

I should add I've obvs got no bump yet so comfort isn't the issue, the pregnancy reference is just because I can't take sleeping pills

Is the problem that you feel like you can't turn your thoughts off? You could try focusing on something more neutral - I often pick a category and then try to think of an example for each letter of the alphabet - always puts me to sleep before I get to Z.

& in my experience the second trimester is much better all round, so things will naturally get better soon I bet!

No advice, just here to stand in solidarity! 7 months pg, haven't slept through the night since the week before I found out. No idea why but following with interest

I would go to the GP and ask for advice. If you're used to taking sleeping pills to help then it could be that your body is adjusting to not having them.

7 months here!
Did okay for a bit but now having completely crazy dreams every night, some are nothing short of disturbing.
Can't get comfy (I am naturally a front-sleeper) and it's killing me.

Present coping strategy is tossing, turning, complaining at DH until he goes to sleep and counting down the last few weeks until the sleeplessness continues but at least I can lay on my front!!

@ClassicallyConditioned that's a great idea I'll try.

@Moomin8
It's not that I'm used to taking tablets but if I ever struggled i would. Maybe once a month so nothing crazy.

Ah you poor girls 7 months of this. I guess I better buckle up for the 9 months no sleep ride hey 😊

Apparently you should sleep on your left side when pregnant. There ms a blood vessel on the right hand side which delivers blood to the uterus. If you sleep on this side it can get restricted, thereby restricting blood to the foetus.

I can't remember which side I slept on though. Definitely not well enough!! Good luck OP :)

*there's a blood vessel

Try and avoid sleeping on your back, and suggest trying to avoid caffeine completely. I loved my coffee (just one in the morning) and cut it out, slept much better.

Side sleeping is best, left side is optimal. Though NHS guidance just says to avoid sleeping ok on your back.

Thanks @auslass @sanityisamyth

If the issue is switching your head off have you tried the headspace sleep casts? They send me right off!

Thanks @MotherAughra I'll look it up. I tend to fall asleep for an hour or so then wake for a few hours then maybe fall asleep again out of sheer exhaustion just before my alarm

@tallah they have a night time sos one that's meant to help you fall back asleep, haven't tried it myself though

Thanks @MotherAughra Fab, I've just downloaded it

Yes or any kind of audio book. It will distract you from the reason you can’t switch off and hopefully you will drift off. I do this, and set a sleep timer on it for 30 mins.
Lavender oil pillow spray?

I sympathise, my issue is I cannot get comfy and swap sides constantly. And need a wee numerous times! It’s just prepping us for newborn life..

@tallah I had this for my first trimester. For no obvious reason, I would just wake up all the time. I got very hot too so I now sleep just under a thin blanket.

After my first trimester it settled down and I could sleep back through the night so It was another thing I put down to those bloody hormones.

I think a few things help.
A bath before bed in a low lit bathroom and listen to a podcast while having the bath.
No screens after your bath, read a book instead.
Download Insight Timer app and look for sleep meditations. When you wake up in the middle of the night pop one on straight away, I keep headphones under my pillow. Make sure that you have all notifications on your phone switched off so no distractions at night.

Remember sleep begets sleep so if you can get out of this cycle of broken sleep for a few nights you'll start to sleep through naturally again.

I had terrible insomnia during my 2nd pg. I found Rescue Remedy Night helps, plus breathing in for 7, hold for 4, breathe out for 11 while tensing and relaxing each part of your body

Sleeping on your back is fine in first trimester, even sleeping on your front is. It’s only an issue in third trimester really when it can lead to stillbirth.

Anyway, that aside the first trimester can cause sleep issues. I’ve always found I sleep terribly and also have bad nightmares.