sleeping issues

[wiosna]

anyone else in first trimester and can't sleep? I'm 12 weeks, exhausted and either lay awake for ages at night or wake up really really early. And what do you do about it? - it's not like you can pop a sleeping pill...

I've had this on and off throughout my pregnancy. I'm now 33 weeks. Third tri is alot worse than the first! Unless anyone on here knows better, I'm afraid there's not much you can do. Part and parcel of the joys of pregnancy!

As excitedmummy says, just wait till you hit the 3rd trimester!

I am nearly 31 weeks and I wake every hour and a half at the moment. I have to turn over as my hip and thigh ache. Even though I am sleeping on a folded up duvet for more padding.

You can't really do anything at your stage. I would normally say try some lavendar oil on your pillow but lavendar oil is not advised in the first trimester and I wouldn't even want to use it until I was close to the 3rd myself as it carries a risk of miscarriage (doesn't everything!).

Maybe you just have a lot on your mind. Try writing down any worries. Also, don't just lie in the dark trying to sleep as that can be so frustrating. Best to read or get up and move about for a bit.

Actually if things are really bad your GP might proscribe some sleeping tablets. I've been given them twice. The first time they helped, the second time, more recently they didn't really, so they may not be the miracle cure.

I also had some co-codamol which helped too as I was really uncomfortable. That makes me sound like a right pill popper! But I have had insomnia on and off through most of this pregnancy and it has made me feel terrible.

One thing that is help at the moment, paradoxically, is going to bed later. I was going to bed at about 9.30-10 and being wide awake from 3-6am. Now I go to bed about 12, I still toss and turn (due to discomfort) but manage (usually) to get back to sleep.

I really sympathise, it's awful. Do go to your GP if it is really bad. Are you working? If so try and speak to someone in Occ Health. My work were great and reduced my hours without reducing my pay for about 3 months. It made a massive difference.

I found the 1st tri horrible sleeping wise because I was permanently exhausted but kept waking at stupid o'clock each morning and unable to get back to sleep again. I think a lot of that was due to the stressing that everything was okay with pregnancy and constant fear it was all going to go wrong.

By the second tri, the tiredness goes a bit and I found I was stressing much less so I got much more sleep.

Third Tri. Euuuuuuggh. Only recommendation would be lots of pillows and seperate beds!

I'm 11+1 today and I know exactly what you mean. I really struggled to begin with especially as I ALWAYS sleep on my front and my boobs have just been too tender for this. I have taken to sleeping on my left hand side with a pillow between my legs. The first night I did this I slept much better. It's also good practice for later on as in the third trimester especially you are advised to sleep on your left.

A warm bath in the evening is a good way to wind down too.

I had the same thing in 1st trimester. If you are working discuss with your GP or work, might be worth getting signed off for a week so can try and get some energy reserves back.

Now 23+5 and now getting max of 2hrs sleep at a time.

Not any major tips but this is what I've done

-Gone to bed later
-Got up if can't get back to sleep and do something relaxing to take mind off - i.e boring tv show on low, very easy reading, making lists in my mind
-Slept in different room to OH, more room to move
-Slept on doubled up duvet and used more pillows
-Gotten up for brekkie and gone back to bed for an hour (seems odd but acutally that has worked)
-MW suggested not to worry about having naps through day, although often not recommended when can't sleep at night, pg is tiring on the body
-Try not to worry or be anxious that you aren't sleeping
-Get out in fresh air through day, even when don't feel like it. I have to as walk the dog, and it does make you feel better

On the postive I think it gets you ready for a newborn and sleepless nights!