Pregnancy Insomnia

[Michela81]

Hi ladies, I'm nearly 18 weeks with my first child and since getting pregnant I haven't had one single good night sleep.
I fall asleep easily but I really struggle to stay asleep, I toss in bed all the time and stay awake for hours, like tonight.
I tried exercising, yoga, essential oils, the old hot milk, reflexology and taking magnesium supplements.
Nothing seems to work.

I work full time and I'm absolutely exhausted. People tell me that my body is preparing for later but I cannot think of not being able to sleep now and later, as if I don't rest up now when then?

Anyone in the same situation and any good tips I haven't tried yet? This is really testing me as I'm truly running out of batteries :(

Thanks so much x

Try the pregnancy series on the Headspace app, it's made a huge difference for me x

I’d like to tell you it gets better but it hasn’t for me unfortunately. I’m 33 weeks pregnant with twins, managed to sleep from 9pm - 1pm then awake until 4am. Eventually went downstairs to put the tv on, had 1.5 hours on the sofa & then back up at 6am.

This has been a regular pattern for weeks now 😔 luckily now I’m on maternity leave but I do sympathise with you working full time, it’s an absolute killer.

Hoping you see some improvement

This was exactly the same for me at around 18 weeks - morning sickness stopped and I felt great for about 3 days then the insomnia kicked in 😩 I was exhausted too working full time. Some things that helped me cope (apart from the things you’ve mentioned that haven’t worked!) but didn’t solve it (as I’m guessing it’s hormonal at this stage?):

• Working from home/flexibly if that’s an option with your work. Hopefully if they know you’re struggling they’ll make allowances for you?
• Pregnancy pillow - I got a massive U-shaped one and I found it just made me much comfier in bed even during the hours I was awake, and just generally felt a bit more “rested” when I got up.
• Baths -I found a warm bath before bed helped me wind down and while it didn’t totally solve the sleep deprivation it meant I was relaxing whilst I was at home.

I spoke to my midwife too - she was pretty useless and she tried to convince me I had restless leg syndrome?! I was too tired to argue with her.

Anyway it did get better for me at around 20 weeks...I really hope it does for you too. Good luck 🌟

I’m the same and I’m 20 weeks now. I just can’t get comfortable and have a maternity pillow! I sleep from 10-2 and the I’m awake until 5am! It’s a killer when I have to go work full time!

It’s so miserable 😩 I really hope it starts to ease off you too @Xyzzzzz It’s so weird as you’ve both said the exact same hours I was asleep for then awake from. It must be hormones being messed up at this stage...I also think a bit of worry or anxiety might have contributed to mine - until I started feeling kicks and then weirdly could sleep through those! I’m 35 weeks now and struggling with sleep but mainly being uncomfy and having to wee 3 times a night. This is way easier than that earlier insomnia though and I’m getting closer to finishing work so mentally a bit easier to cope with!

I am so shattered I’ve booked annual leave so I can have some rest over the next couple of days lol! Every time I get comfy I need the toilet 🙄