Early pregnancy insomnia

[ladydoc]

Just found out that I'm pregnant (v early, 4 weeks) and struggling with bad insomnia. It started before I did the test, last week. I normally sleep like a log even when stressed. Is this a common problem in early pregnancy? Is it just nerves (I am anxious as I had a mmc in jan) or could it be hormonal?? Any tips on stopping it? Normally I'd take a Piriton to re-set my sleep pattern but trying to avoid drugs now. Thanks in advance!

I think it is a symptom overall at any stage. I had it at about 23 weeks for a month or so. I tried to combat it with my yoga breathing techniques as I was getting rather stressy about it when I would wake. It then dissappeared. I think it can last different lengths with different people. Sorry my post isn't very helpful. Hope you manage to deal with it as best you can.

I have this too. I think it is hormonal as happened before I knew I was pregnant in both pregnancies (currently 19w with no2). I usually drop off to sleep OK then spend a few hours awake in the middle of the night before getting another couple of hours sleep in the morning.

Both times it has improved a bit during the 2nd trimester - still wake up in the middle of most nights but it's now rare that I'm awake for hours.

I have tried all the usual sleep hygiene etc but tbh the only thing that reliably helps me is medication. Nothing is licensed in pregnancy but out of desperation I have started using a really low dose of promethazine, just when I've had a few bad nights and am getting desperate! Guessing you might be a Dr from your username so you will know this, but it is a drug sometimes prescribed for severe morning sickness which also has the effect of causing sleepiness.

The only other things are making sure you are really tired before bedtime, so don't go to bed too early and try to stay active during the day. Exposure to bright sunlight during the early part of the day is supposed to help set your body clock properly. And during the first trimester I think hunger was sometimes contributing to my night waking so sometimes a bowl of weetabix helped me get back to sleep.

Good luck with it - I know how horrible insomnia is - hope it improves for you soon!

I had this too and I would usually rely on drugs to get me out of the cycle when not pregnant. I think it was a combo of hormones and anxiety about those early months. I started sleeping in the spare room, made the bed really comfy (bought new pillows) and downloaded audiobooks to listen to at bed time. I found the books took my mind off the worries and I would drift off eventually. Audible app has a sleep timer so will turn off after a set time so the book doesn't wake you up later. Ive found its gone in stages, so I'll have weeks of great sleep then weeks of very disturbed sleep. This week is a good week!

Thanks ladies! I'll try those ideas. It's one of those things that the more you try to fall asleep the more stressed you get! I've got a de-stress hypnotherapy cd which I am trying out. Fingers crossed it helps x

Oooh just remembered a midwife friend of mine recccomended mindfulness. Theres an app called Headspace which might help.

I used to sleep fine until the last couple of weeks - now I know why lol! This pregnancy is making me sleep oddly - I get really hot easily at night, have odd dreams and wake up a lot.

14 weeks here and have had on/off insomnia and sleeping difficulties since the start. No problems getting to sleep but often wake in the night or early hours in the morning. Doesn't help I need to wee! Jo advice other than try an earlier bedtime. A glass of milk helps me sometimes and I find it comes and goes. Was the same in my first pregnancy. Good luck op, it's hard going I know!