Insomnia at 33 weeks ???

[EL332]

I have 4 weeks left at work and today have called in sick and I can't see how I can function safely on so little sleep...

I've been awake from 2-6 am for the last 3/4 nights

Anyone else been suffering? Any helpful ideas or solutions? 😴😴😴😴

I had insomnia from about 16 weeks! Had to give up work early as I was like a zombie! It does help get you used to when baby is born though, and when you do sleep you'll sleep like a log

I'm now 39 weeks and sorry to say I've been the same as you from around that time. All I can say is just try to stay relaxed when you're wide awake as getting frustrated will just make you more awake! Try getting up, walking around the house, making a warm drink, listening to a podcast and then when you do get back into bed I find counting slowly helps or practising long breathing. Just have to take each night as it comes at this stage and as there's no quick fixes and like PP said your body is helping your prepare for having a newborn. It's hard when still trying to work but just listen to your body, I worked until 38 weeks and used to go to bed at 7pm as I found I slept well then for a good few hours.

@Instacrumb when did you stop working?

@Running365 maybe I just need to do that and change when I'm sleeping...

I just feel so overwhelmed and I've gotten myself into a panic in the early hours each day...

I might try and talk to my midwife at my appointment tomorrow and see what she suggests 🤷🏻‍♀️😴😣

I've been suffering on and off. My top tip is don't look at any mobile devices - if I succumb to this then it's game over on getting back to sleep. I find if I read a chapter or two of my book, this usually helps to tire my eyes and go back off. But mainly I just go to bed at 8.30pm so I know if my day starts at 3am, at least I've still had a god chunk of sleep!

I'm 36 weeks, I've found my insomnia comes and goes - last few nights I've been awake for hours. It's like a light switch goes on in my brain and I just can't sleep. I've found getting up and having some warm milk helps a bit, but not 100%. I've just started mat leave so hopefully can catch up on some naps!

Sadly this is normal. It’s partly why I find the “sleep while you have chance” comments hilarious. Between peeing every hour or two, struggling to get comfortable and insomnia, it’s just not going to happen. I don’t know why it happens, it’s thought to be hormonal but there’s not a lot that can be done.

The important things are to try avoiding screens an hour before bedtime, reduce the amount you drink just before bed so you’re not up quite as much through the night, try having a soak in the bath before bed if possible and read a book before going to sleep. When you wake in the night, avoid going on your phone as tempting as it is and try not to toss and turn. Literally lay there and stare at the wall if you have to , anything is better than screen time when you need to sleep.

You have my sympathies, I’m luckily a teacher so I’ve been off from about 25 weeks due to the summer holidays.

And just to add, I suffered with this much worse in my first pregnancy, I used to comment to people that I was looking forward to getting more sleep once the baby arrives, people laughed, but I really did get more sleep, yes it was broken sleep but I definitely got more!

You have my sympathies!

I have suffered for years with insomnia fairly frequently but since around 30 weeks it's been uncontrollably hellish!
I've tried horlicks, baths, massages, no liquids for 2 hours before bed, no screens etc etc etc.
I also have restless legs so unless I miraculously fall asleep within 20 mins then it's game over!

Manage to fall asleep sometime between 2&4 and up at 7:30. I get maybe 1 (or 2 if it's a lucky week!) night of 7 hours sleep between toilet trips.

I think it's something we just have to grit our teeth and get through knowing it won't last forever (hopefully!!)

Thank you everyone - I feel like it's probably anxiety induced at the moment ...

I'm already so worried about tonight's sleep and work tomorrow 😣

THis is so reassuring that my sister is not alone! She is really struggling.
Did anyone find anything that helped? Anything herbal you can take?