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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Insomnia cure???

16 replies

junkfoodaddict · 30/10/2014 05:36

Currently 19 weeks pregnant and for the last 14 weeks I haven't slept properly. I am awake for anywhere between 2 and 5 hours every night.

My sick leave from work ends today and though I went sick for a lot of reasons (stress), insomnia certainly hasn't helped in how I deal with my workload!!!!

I managed 4 consecutive nights last week of 7 hours sleep but this week my insomnia returned and I have now (at 5:32am!) been up, out of bed, and awake for four hours.

I am due to be back at work on Monday and I know that I am not going to be in the best state due to lack of sleep. I want to go back to work (nervous and anxious about facing managment which probably isn't helping, but I know inomnia is not the main reason of my stress) but I am worried that after a few weeks, i find myself struggling to cope, mainly because I am sleep deprived.

Going to GPs this morning over other stuff but wondered what, if anything, anyone has ever taken/done to help them sleep.

OP posts:
blankfornames · 30/10/2014 08:08

Hi Junk, I totally empathise with your insomnia. It's incredibly frustrating. I've been awake since 4 this am.
I invested in a Theraline maternity pillow & this has definitely helped me. I still have nights where I don't sleep well but feel I can relax & rest better with this pillow. A fellow insomniac I met in yoga recommended it to me.
I've also cut down on the amount of liquids I take before I go to bed.
Best of luck going back to work.

eurochick · 30/10/2014 08:11

Birth I'm afraid. Hcg gives me insomnia so I had it from the ivf trigger shot to the end of pregnancy. And then my body wanted to sleep but I had a newborn.

BilboTheAlmighty · 30/10/2014 08:17

I, too, have seriously limited my fluid intake in the evenings. I also try really not to go to bed too early, even if I am shattered in the evening. Indeed at first I used to go to bed at 7pm but would wake up at 11pm and couldn't get back to sleep! Shock

But apart from that, nothing I'm afraid Sad

kulashaker · 30/10/2014 08:32

I feel your pain, i am suffering with this to :-( going to be at 10pm (takes me ages to fall asleep!) then waking up at 2pm for a wee, then awake from 4am and i have to get up at 6am for a 1.5 hour commute to work! I am 20 weeks pregnant and have been like this pretty much from the start!

I mentioned this to doctor, and they basically said there is nothing than can do! - not even herbal remedies. i have been googling (becuase i have been on the brink of tears most mornings from exhaustion!), and a couple of tips i have found were if you are laying there awake for more than half an hour get up and get yourself a warm milky drink. laying there clock watching will be worse!

Also if there is anything worrying you get up and write it down. you will feel better that it is off your chest, andyou can 'worry about it tomorrow'.

Sorry i cant offer anymore advice than that, but i do symphasise!

TriciaMcM · 30/10/2014 08:50

My obstetrician prescribed something for me for a few nights but I googled it when I got home & rang gp in alarm. Gp said he was reluctant to overrule the obstetricians advice but to try to do without it if possible. I tore up the prescription! So slightly wrecked all the time but risks seemed to high to me.

Original poster
junkfoodaddict · 30/10/2014 09:18

Apparently a colleague is taking something but as I am on sick leave, i can't ask what it is. I am reluctant to take pills and don't know what else to do! I don't drink caffeine after 4pm and my last drink is usually at 6pm with a meal although I may have a glass of milk or water if I am thirsty. I go to bed between 10pm and 10:45pm and no matter what time it is, I wake up at the same time. Wouldn't be as bad if i was able to drop off straight away, even if I woke again but waking around 2am and NOT getting back to sleep is slowly killing me. I'm out the door at 7am and not back til 6:30pm and even then have work to do at home so relaxtion and early nights are impossible without being behind with my work.

OP posts:
MsFrazzles · 30/10/2014 11:35

Sorry I don't have any good advice but just wanted to add my sympathy, as I am suffering with this too (am 27 weeks, this has been going on since about 16 weeks) and I'm really struggling. I get up at 6am for a long commute into London (and a long working day) and it's really tough when I've barely slept. I feel like I'm going slowly insane. I might try those pillows but they're so expensive!

blankfornames · 30/10/2014 11:52

MsFrazzles, I know they are expensive but you can use it for feeding/propping up baby afterwards. It is definitely working for me!

BilboTheAlmighty · 30/10/2014 13:34

One last thing that's helped me. I realised that I was far too hot while sleeping, despite not having the heating on. I now sleep with the window open and I'm more comfortable (but it means DH has to wear winter PJs!)

MsFrazzles · 31/10/2014 12:40

Thanks blankfornames, payday today so I've treated myself to a Theraline pillow from Amazon. Can't wait to give it a go!

Original poster
junkfoodaddict · 31/10/2014 14:39

GP signed me off for 4 weeks. My insomnia is stress related. I knew I had insomnia and I was off for acute stress as it was (work issues - long story!) but never connected the two. Last night, woke at my 'usual' time of 2am and immediately work issues were on my mind. I had been trying to block out my problems in order to focus on getting back to work. Text the boss but had no reply; quite obvious she is totally mad with me as I had indicated that I would be back.

OP posts:
blankfornames · 01/11/2014 07:16

Best of luck with your new pillow. My aches and pains have gone and although i still wake early, my overall sleep has definitely improved.
Be sure to report back to me!

blankfornames · 05/11/2014 08:30

MsFrazzles, any update on the pillow?! Hope it's working as well for you as it did for me!

TheBuggerlugs · 05/11/2014 08:32

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Eminybob · 05/11/2014 08:43

I have suffered with insomnia due to anxiety for years and have taken amitryptaline which seems to help.

I stopped taking it while TTC but when i was about 28 weeks pg the sleepless nights were just unbearable. I refused to go back on the meds even though the Dr said there were no known issues in pregnancy (but as they can't test on pregnant women we'll never know for sure). I was signed off for a month which did help a bit as its work that causes my anxiety but in the end the only way I could get back to work and back to normal was going back on the meds.

It did work, I stopped taking them as soon as I went on mat leave and DS is perfect, no issues at all.

I think the key thing with any medication in pregnancy is the Dr will only prescribe it to you if they feel that the benefit to you outweighs the risk to the baby.

MsFrazzles · 05/11/2014 10:01

blankfornames Still waiting for it to arrive! Getting impatient now... Knew I should have stumped up for next day delivery!
TheBuggerlugs Ooh, might have a look for Pukka Night Time. I really like their 3 Ginger one!

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