Jet lag in pregnancy...

[Elastigrrrl]

...is rapidly sapping my will to live.

Has anyone else experienced jet lag in pregnancy that is far, far worse than the normal kind? Is there anything you can do about it? I'm 17 weeks and I left the UK a few days ago to visit my family on the west coast of the US, so I am currently 8 hours behind. I'm on my fourth night here, and each night I desperately want to go to bed at 530 pm. Generally I push myself to stay up till 9 or 10 pm in an effort to acclimate to the time difference, but it doesn't really work as I keep waking up at 330 am anyway! And go through the day vaguely tired until crash time.

Any bits of advice, or just tales of similar woe so I don't feel so whiny, are welcome.

I travelled a lot whilst pregnant (every 2 weeks or so longhaul - mostly UK - US) and did find the jet lag v v draining. The thing that helped me most was to invest in one of those SAD lamps (a portable one) and use it in the late afternoon when I started to flake out - I bought a lumie lamp and it enabled me to push through to 9-10pm.

Also, and paradoxically, making sure I had enough carbs seemed to help too - not sure why.

Thanks so much angel. I might start off by getting a lot more sun in the afternoon as it's in good supply round these parts, plus the carbs, and move to the lamp if needed.

yes get as much sunlight as possible.. outside in the morning and stay out! The melatonin is what helps your body flip into the correct time zone! Lots of water and eat plenty, small meals little and often..
Sympathies! I did quite a bit of long haul at that stage of pregnancy and it sucks! But doesn't go on forever..

Many thanks ladies :) great excuse for a good bask!

I found out I was pregnant when I was in Australia. The jet lag was pretty bad when I came back and lasted about a week. Sounds like you're nearly there if it's been 4 days now. Good luck! Just try and eat at normal times and that helps to reset yourself