Can anyone offer some sleep help?

[McSara]

Hi all,
I'm 33 weeks pregnant and am finding sleep a real problem. This is my 4th pregnancy. The main problem is that I find it difficult to take a deep enough breath. I think the baby may have turned and therefore is pressing against my diaphragm. Went to see the GP yesterday, and he reassured me that it's a purely mechanical problem.
So, has anyone else had this problem and what did you do about it? On Wednesday night I didn't fall asleep until 3.30am! And I've now taken to sleeping in the nursing chair as it's the only way I can be comfortable. The side effect of that, though, is not sleeping for very long and my lower legs are really swelling despite being on the foot stool. I feel so very jealous of my husband as he lies stretched out in bed. I would just love to lie down but no amount of pillows in various combinations seems to work.
Thanks for your help, ladies!

Hello! I'm 37 weeks and from about 33-34 weeks sleep became a real problem for me...due to various different reasons, mostly restlessness I just didn't sleep really for days and became very depressed and run down - I went to see midwife and talked it over, went to doc and got signed off work for a few days. My problems were to do with general pregnancy ailments, getting up for loo, heartburn, carpal tunnel syndrome, uncomfortable etc, but was mostly due to not being able to relax in bed at night. Once the pressure of work was off (I then had one more week in then maternity leave) I felt much more relaxed anyway and started listening to natal hypnotherapy cd to try and relax.

I'm not sure if what I did will help you as the reason your not sleeping is a bit different. I have to say though, the no sleep thing was a real nightmare for me and it's still very on and off - think that's just the way it'll be now! at least I can just sleep whenever I want at moment ow until LO arrives of course!! If you really are struggling to get enough sleep see someone about it again, it's a killer. Hope it improves! x

Hi,
Thanks so much for your reply.
The sleeplessness is now accompanied with panic attacks so went to GP and got something to help me sleep. Hope it works!
Good luck with your LO.

Hey your welcome! Really hope things improve for you. If your feeling really anxious and suffering panic attacks I really would recommend natal hypnotherapy cd, really easy to get off amazon and do at home and has helped me relax so much more and feel calmer and more in control. Good luck to you too x

I find I can't breathe as well on my right side (38 weeks) and have to tilt my head back further... Like you do when putting someone in the recovery position. Not a problem on my left. It did freak me out at first as I was quite wheezy.

Hope the stuff from the doctor helps.