I’ve seen every 3am for 8 months. - pregnancy insomnia

[Terriblemum24]

I’m 8 months pregnant and the insomnia is killing me. It started early pregnancy and has just got worse. Doctor and midwife have told me multiple times that it’s a ‘normal part of pregnancy’ and they can’t offer anything but nothing about this feels normal.

Im depressed, irritable, angry all the time. I can’t focus or function at work and I’m short tempered and not engaged with my older child. My health is a mess and I’ve gained a lot of weight.

I have not bonded with the idea of this pregnancy at all and can’t stop focusing on the fact that all ive got to ‘look forward’ to is recovery from a c section and dealing with newborn nights. Having a second child is the worse decision I’ve ever made. I’ve ruined my life and the lives of everyone around me.

You really haven't, but it's hard to see that in the middle of insomnia and hormones.

It might be a good idea to tell your GP or midwife that you are thinking this way and make it clear you need some support. Pre natal depression is even less well diagnosed than post natal depression.

I really hope things improve for you quickly.

I would second speaking to the GP again. I think they need to refer you to the mental health midwife’s. You could also try accupuncture for the insomnia if you can afford it. I hope things improve for you OP and you’re able to start looking forward to meeting your lovely baby.

This will probably always be a time you look back on with a shudder (understandably, you must beyond exhausted) but you haven't ruined anybody's life. This is a season, nothing more. It will end and you will gradually put the pieces back together and get past it. Eveyone will be glad you're still around.

None of that feels believable because you're in the trenches right now and it's hell, but it's true. Get as much help as you can from midwives, gp etc. Ignore when they don't say helpful things. There is a brand new human tucked up cosily inside of you who has a whole wonderful future ahead of them because of this sacrifice you're making right now. Hang in there

I took an over the counter sleep aid (believe it's the same stuff in benedryl.) I had an insanely stressful and busy pregnancy. I also went on mat leave a bit early in order to stop this and not have to worry about getting up for work. I guess I justified it bc this med was on the list of accepted pregnancy meds to take for other reasons (allergies I believe) and it was a very rough time for me. Maybe your dr could give you a script for an occasional use sleep aid now the the baby is so for along.

I'm so sorry and I completely understand as I had the same. It was the worst and I would be up the entire night. Unfortunately for me after baby was born it continued for a very long time. I didn't even realise there was stuff to take because everyone told me it's normal. Speak to your doctor because it seems like there's safe options for medication.

No advice just solidarity.

Awake right now for the same reason, and feel exactly the same down to all I have to look forward up is c section and more hellish no sleeping!

Had the same while pregnant with DC2. It was awful. I will say that when baby was born my sleep quality improved, so even though I was up with a newborn I was able to get much better sleep inbetween and actually felt better than I did while pregnant. I hope it's the same for you.

can you have a nap during the day? I see 3am most days now and I’m not pregnant, just peri menopausal and a full nights sleep is a thing of that past.

I've always thought its natures way of preparing you for sleepless nights with the baby. At least when you're feeding the baby at 3am it's all warm and cuddly, and if you do get to sleep, you can do so comfortably!

I had this and honestly the night wakes were so much better than the abject frustration of pregnancy insomnia. I ended up finishing work early because I was so tired.

I found eating something helped me get back to sleep a bit quicker but it was no means a fix to the issue.

I had this and really feel for you, it made me feel physically so ill. I found sleep was so much better after I had the baby despite the frequent night wakes and c-section recovery.
Hopefully everything goes smoothly for you and you never have to deal with pregnancy insomnia again!