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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

How on earth to sleep in hospital...

25 replies

dellabrew · 22/03/2019 06:33

I know I sound terribly pathetic but I was induced yesterday at 37+2 due to GD & other factors, nothings happening yet so looks like it could be a long ride...and the worst bit for me is the sleep...does anyone have any tips is there anything i can take or do that may help?! They are mega busy here on the labour ward, am in a 2 bed ward with another lady who quite frankly is driving me crazy I'm just really hoping shes going to go into full blown labour soon and get out of here! - theres been everything from singing and chanting to reading aloud at 2am. I'm too much of a wimp to ask them to stop, really dont think it would make a difference anyway as they dont understand english very well. I managed about 1 hour last night and right now am so exhausted Im never going to make it through labour :( let alone more nights of this .... sorry for the rant...!

OP posts:

Chocolatecake12 · 22/03/2019 06:38

Earplugs?
Have you tried listening to calming music with headphones to drown her out?
Ask to be moved into a single room - yes they’re busy and might not have one but at least you can ask and if one becomes available they might accommodate you.

Thishatisnotmine · 22/03/2019 06:38

Oh, it's hell isn't it. You could ask if they have any earplugs or is there someone who could get some for you? DIY shops would have them. An eyemask would be useful for the light. Other than that, earphones with a white noise app playing on your phone?

Dueinnov19 · 22/03/2019 06:39

Have you got some headphones and a mp3 player or can someone bring you one. Also some really good earplugs. I got some amazing silicon ones in sainsburys in their travel bit.

If you let the nurses and midwives know you have something in they are good at gently waking you for obs or if they need a conversation.

Good luck op hope its not too long for you.

JuniperNarni · 22/03/2019 06:40

Can you ask your OH to bring in some ear plugs today?

seven201 · 22/03/2019 06:42

Earplugs and get a member of staff to keep Shusshing the woman

Original poster

dellabrew · 22/03/2019 06:54

Yes getting DH to bring in some earplugs...headphones and music just seem to keep me awake more so hopefully just some plugs will work. So annoying isnt it...pre pregnancy days if i couldnt sleep a big glass of whisky would always do the trick lol ...not sure the midwives would approve of that ;)

OP posts:

NinnieNouse · 22/03/2019 06:58

I had earphones and watched TV on my iPad until I fell asleep. It’s awful though.

thingtwoandthingone · 22/03/2019 07:00

Earplugs and an eye mask might help. Poor you

lljkk · 22/03/2019 07:04

It is hellish. I could only sleep when I was extremely ill.

SosigDog · 22/03/2019 07:08

I’d have been yelling SHUT UP! by now! Or singing badly at the top of my voice to prove we can all be twats and if they’re going to disturb me then I’m going to disturb them.

AmethystRaven · 22/03/2019 07:32

When I was in they gave me a sleeping tablet so I could get some rest on the noisy ward before labour started, it seemed like they did it as standard. Ask the midwife they might be able to give you something.

WhenZogateSuperworm · 22/03/2019 07:35

I stayed in 2 nights before having DD this weekend and it was tough even though I had my own room so must be hell for you. Talk to the midwives, you really don’t want to be going in to labour already shattered.

Oblomov19 · 22/03/2019 07:39

I hated this too. Hated it. Was awful.

mummabubs · 22/03/2019 08:01

On my induction ward there were 4 of us in our bay (but 20 on the ward in total and sound travels well through curtains!) and I got a grand total of 30 mins sleep all night before my own labour then kicked in. I lay awake listening to women screaming, vomiting after having drugs and the lady next to me repeatedly shouting for someone to kill her. As a quiet person, first time in labour and hoping for a calm birthing environment it was terrifying and traumatising for me. One family even brought KFC in at about 11:30pm and whilst I normally love it the smell made me feel so sick! Indiction wards are not calm or relaxing places OP, I really hope you've managed to get some sleep x

pootyisabadcat · 22/03/2019 08:04

Then they wonder why so many who are induced wind up with C-sections.

user1457017537 · 22/03/2019 08:05

Ask for your own room. There are normally one or two on every ward. If they can’t help then say but how can I rest with chanting and singing all night.

troubleswillbeoutofsight · 22/03/2019 08:09

I'd tell the staff what's going on. Chanting, singing and reading aloud isn't necessary in the culture of a ward. Should this woman have a need to do these things she needs to be guided to a chapel or single room. The staff have a responsibility to every woman
Hoping you can get some rest soon

Shelbybear · 22/03/2019 08:25

I feel for u! I did 5 nights post birth and it was worse than the long labour and emergency section!

I had Darth vadar next to me, babies crying all night, getting monitored every 2 hrs and woken up, putting lights on to show new mums how to feed in the middle of the night!

Get some ear plugs, tell the nurses how bad the other patient is ask to be moved. Repeat, repeat , repeat till they are fed up with u if ur too nice h won't get moved. U need ur energy for labour! Good luck

Bear2014 · 22/03/2019 08:32

Hell is other people. Never so true as on antenatal and postmatal wards.

Noise cancelling headphones with white noise probably better than earplugs. And an eyemask. Do you have any of your own pillows/pregnancy pillow?

Flamingosnbears · 22/03/2019 08:41

It's hard isn't it!... When I was induced with my first I had the same issue even had someone's partner pop his head round my curtain! The best thing you could do is have a polite word with the midwife.
To get your labour going ask for a pregnancy ball get bouncing on that and some juice to drink.

littlemissalwaystired · 22/03/2019 09:03

Ask the midwife to have a word with her. Some level of noise in a hospital is to be expected, but chanting, singing and reading aloud is not reasonable.

Hollowvictory · 22/03/2019 09:06

Ear plugs and eye mask are essential
You could request your own room if an amenity room becomes available and a higher needs person doesn't need it, may have to pay. I had an en suite room for a month after childbirth (free) but I was very ill

DeadWife · 22/03/2019 09:11

You don't have to listen to noisy energising things OP. Have you ever tried relaxing podcasts or meditation ones, through headphones? They were great for me in hospital last year. Lavender sprinkled on your pillow works wonders too. Good luck .

Original poster

dellabrew · 22/03/2019 12:57

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone...I'm predicting a happier night tonight :) and thankfully nature intervened and singing sally in the next bay has been moved to a delivery room, phew!!!! The staff were also getting pretty sick of them I wasnt the only one! And...I'm getting a few mild contractions which I'm really hoping it means things will be kicking off soon

OP posts:

ajandjjmum · 22/03/2019 13:00

Hope it goes well for you della!

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