Practical advice re sleep deprivation

[Daisy17]

I have suffered from bouts of depression all my life (family history, probable never-officially-diagnosed Aspergic traits) and things get particularly bad when I don't get enough sleep. Struggled a lot with first DC (not PND just my old problems) and took a while to come round to the idea of having a second. Now pregnant with DC2 (DC1 is nearly4) and most of the time I'm feeling very positive, the gap is manageable, I know myself a lot better from last time round, I won't get so wound up about how to bring up a baby etc. I am also in touch with a local NHS support group who deal in peri-natal mental health. So generally all good!

However, I'm having a bad day today, I'm really knackered (26 weeks, it goes in waves!) and got into bed early last night with my new Widgey pillow feeling confident of a good night's sleep. Then was woken about five times by my lovely but slightly at times inconsiderate young neighbour's music going on. Have woken up feeling dreadful and panicky and have already burst into tears twice over small things. Now I am having a major panic about OH MY GOD this is what it is going to be like ALL the time when the baby comes.....

What I'm looking for is practical advice from ladies who have been there about how to lessen the affect of sleep deprivation so that I can feel more in control and not panic about it. And a few hugs!

*effect

Try listening to delta and theta wave music before you want to sleep and if woken up in the night...downloadable from iTunes

My second DC hasn't been a great sleeper (she's now 2) and I've really struggled with the sleep deprivation.

The things that get me through the bad days are usually practical:

• do the bare minimum of housework; as long as the kids are fed and happy, the rest can wait a day or two.
• tea and biscuits make you feel so much better.
• get out for a bit of fresh air, even if it's just a stroll round the block; look up instead of down, it lifts your mood.
• ask for help from friends and family, even if it's for something small.
• take a good multivitamin, I find lack of sleep means my immunity drops and I catch everything going.
• be kind to yourself; I've found this hardest as I really want to get everything done in the day and if you're exhausted you just can't. Accept it's going to be a bit shit for a bit, but things do get better eventually.

You may be lucky and have a baby that sleeps through perfectly. I hope so

Me too, BlackBetty! But I won't be banking on it. Thank you both for excellent practical suggestions, just what I was looking for. My fab DP is also going to take advantage of the new parental leave rules and be at home for a whole luxurious month at the beginning which will be a godsend too and I know he will be fab about encouraging me out on those walks. And my gorgeous DS1 who was an atrocious sleeper is now a brilliant sleeper, which means there won't be two of them at it and I will also have a reason to be hopeful if DC2 starts badly.....!

Brilliant, Daisy, you sound so upbeat, hope you're feeling a bit better about it all.

Best wishes