Not sleeping during pregnancy

[jojodragonfly]

I'm six months pregnant and finding it harder and harder to sleep. I find myself awake half the night with lots of back and leg ache, I just can't seem to get comfortable.I even invested in a really posh pregnancy pillow, this only seemed to work for a couple of nights!Any thoughts on this?Is it my body preparing me for our newborn?

Hormones! I have pg insomnia every time (now 24 weeks with DC3). It is a killer. Yes, it gets you used to broken nights but insomnia is awful. I hesitate to say its worse than a newborn but its different. For me it starts practically before the pg test and comes and goes with varying severity throughout.

When I was on bed rest (but couldnt sleep!) in the hospital with DS I was given a herbal potion that slightly helped. I dont live in the UK so you probably cant get it so sadly I cant recommend. Ask your midwife/doctor if there is anything safe if you want.

Work out what works best for you and minimises your sleep loss. If Im really struggling to get back to sleep (I tend to wake 2-4/5am) I have to go and have a snack (some yogurt) and then move into the spare bed. Somehow the change of location makes it easier to get back to sleep. Sometimes I write a list of the things that are wizzing round my brain. I cant sleep without my big pillow either. Im dragging DH off to ikea this weekend to get a new (bigger) bed so I have more room.

The relief of a good night is incredible.
Good luck!

Thanks guys!!At least I don't feel alone now!!Will try the tea idea and will talk to midwife-I guess it's just part of pregnancy!I've also started to get pain in my tummy!

I am 34 weeks and have been feeling like you for the last couple of months.

I have experimented with all kinds of pillow formations trying to get comfortable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I have taken to sleeping when I am tired as opposed to when I 'should' be sleeping. So I am staying up later and having a bit of a lie in (8.30am instead of 6.30am and having a lie down later in the day.

Deep breathing helps me sometimes just to relax when I am tense and cannot sleep. I use the basic techniques I was shown at my NCT class.

A bit of lavendar on the pillow is nice too. Not sure if it actually helps me, but it smells nice!

I'm totally with you on the pregnancy insomnia. I find it very easy to get to sleep (usually at the ridiculous hour of something between 8.30 and 9.30!) then wake up anytime between 1 and 4 and am awake an hour or two.

It's usually needing the loo that wakes me and my mind springs to life as soon as I get out of bed and won't shut down again. Fortunately I've learned not to get stressed about it (it only adds to the sleeplessness!). I also get something to eat, retreat to the spare room and read for an hour or so. The most important thing is that I have a really good book on the go which distracts me from the insomnia!

So be reassured it's normal - albeit very annoying!

PS Am pg with DC3 and have had it with all three pregnancies.