Can't sleep

[chocolatestar]

I am 23 weeks and just not sleeping. Mainly because of back pain and indigestion. I am on meds for indegestion and have seen physio. I teach full time and just can not cope with work at the moment. Lack of sleep makes me feel sick. I am feeling very stressed as a result and just don't know what to do.

Didnt want your post to go unanswered. I fully sympathise, I'm sleeping really badly too and then either at work or running around after a perpetually energetic 2 year old. Its not easy. Can you see your GP and ask to be signed off for a while, if nothing else then just to catch up on some sleep.

Hi Chocolate, hope you're OK. I agree with bootus. I too am a teacher and know it is so hard to do when you are exhausted. You won't be performing to your usual standard as you are so tired. Have a few days off to sleep and re-charge your batteries. Hope you feel better soon.

I was teaching through my last pregnancy. I honestly think it is one of the worst jobs when preg. Always on feet, surrounded by demands at all times, can't even go to toilet when you want too. Try to look after yourself as much as you can and start maternity leave as soon as you can. It's really hard. Am pregnant again now, and finding it so much easier at home looking after another one, being preg than teaching! Good luck

bundlebelly, hope you don't mind me asking but when did you start your maternity leave with your 1st pregnancy? I'm 34 weeks now, off sick at the moment as I keep fainting and don't know whether to try to go back for the last 3 weeks or just call it a day now!

Hi chocolatestar, I totally sympathise with you. Am 32w and since about 27w have not slept through the night once (rarely get more than 2 hours at a go) due to back pain, SPD and indigestion. However, I found the following helps:

• Back pain/ SPD - Chiropractor. If you can find a good one with experience treating pregnant ladies worth it's weight in gold. My sleeping is so much better since going there (found it more beneficial/ quicker results than physio but crap that I had to pay for it). Also, a wedge under bump seems to take off a bit of back pressure at night, as well as pillows under knees and behind back to prop me up (almost sitting up position but sooo comfy!)

• Indigestion - they won't prescribe it for me at Drs but Gaviscon Extra Strength liquid is a God's send. Faster acting than the usual stuff.

Good luck, it's crap but actually after a few weeks of not sleeping great I've got used to it. Just try and nap when you can, even if it's just 20 mins. x

oh god, i'm only 18 weeks and haven't had a full night sleep since 5 weeks thought in 2nd trimester the weeing eased off?? not so it would appear am up at least once if not and more often twice for a pee between 11pm and 6am most annoying, and to think i got more and worse to come!!

Hi again,
Worried about you, you sound just like I was. I kept fainting too, and it was really awful for everyone. Really scary for the kids I was teaching too. I had a week or so off sick then eventually left official mat leave at 34 weeks. I was in a good postition though as I was on a temporary contract and not returning, so I didn't have to worry about the thing of the sooner you leave the sooner you have to return. Honestly, if I was you I would make full use of being off sick, DO NOT go to work if you aren't feeling ok to do so, it's just not worth it. Your health and your baby's health are more important than anything. The school will cope! and the kids will be better off being taught by someone who is physically and mentally 'present' and focussed on them. Really, if you carry on suffering and pushing yourself, one day (soon) you will just not believe you put yourself through it! Be kind to yourself. And talk to midwife about the fainting. (It turned out I had undiagnosed gesational diabetes.) Be kind to yourself and your little one.

Just realised I'm replying to different person and getting you mixed up! Baby brain! Good luck mascara and chocolate star too!

Thanks bundlebelly . Midwife took blood the other day and am back at docs tomorrow for results.

Thanks everyone. Went to bed at 7 last night and did manage to get some rest thankfully. I am finding work hard as it is so the days when I don't sleep it's unbearable. Yesterday was awful, felt really sick all day. I had a week and a half off due to a sinus infection just recently and I am the only person who teaches my subject so find it hard to be off. Just not sure how I will get through the next few months. Hate feelng like I am complaining all the time at work and feel bad for ds who is 2 and not getting much of me right now.

Hi
I totally empathise. I haven't slept for five nights in a row this week. Before that.. I had a month of not sleeping.

I'm exhausted and finding work really stressful, due to lack of sleep. It's such a vicious circle. I'm 33 weeks and go on mat leave in 2 weeks time, but I'm actually finding that it's the handover that's causing me such anxiety. Got so many big projects on the go, I'm worried I'll miss something when handing over...silly really, as most people wouldn't care less!

I hope everyone gets to catch up on their sleep this weekend.

I hear you about the handover! I am stressed about it already. I set the department up and the thought of someone else coming in is a big stress. I hope to go back part time so if I don't like them or something it will be horrible. I was spoiled in my first pregnancy because I didn't have to work and did not have a toddler. Much easier.

School is understaffed at the moment with all the cuts which makes things harder as I get taken for cover a lot which I find really stressful. One more week to go though and I get a week off for October break so going to try and survive until then.