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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Sleep - top tips

27 replies

sarahloumadam · 31/08/2007 12:19

Only 28 weeks but finding it really hard to get comfy and have a good nights sleep - know it comes with the job description but any top tips?

Sarah (tired and haggard face)x

OP posts:
funnypeculiar · 31/08/2007 12:24

pillow between your legs .. in fact I still sleep like that sometimes (dd is 17 mths) as its soo comfy

RGPargy · 31/08/2007 12:24

No tips, but will watch this thread with great eagerness.......

ZZzzzzzz......

RG(also tired and haggard)Pargy (27+3)

RGPargy · 31/08/2007 12:25

I also do the pillow thing but it doesn't always cut the mustard!

doggiesayswoof · 31/08/2007 12:29

Do you get up when you can't sleep?
I was quite lucky in that I could settle again in bed if I'd been up for half an hour or so.
I was always starving during the night, so I would get up and have some toast or a scone and then go back up.

missbumpy · 31/08/2007 12:33

Like RGPargy, I haven't got any tips but I'm watching this thread eagerly. I bearly slept a wink last night and I'm feeling like a zombie today.

Actually I have got a few tips:
Chamomile tea in the evening
Warm bath before bed
Lavender oil on pillow
Pillow between legs

But they're obviously not very good tips since I must have slept for all of 3 hours last night .

The only thing that really ensures a good night's sleep for me is if dp stays out for the night or sleeps on the sofa

GoodGollyMissMolly · 31/08/2007 12:41

Hiya ladies,
I'm 29+4 today and had a really bad night last night. I can generally get comfy with a pillow between my legs. But for the last couple of weeks I have been having awful pain in my hips

So like Rg and missbumpy, I will be watching this thread for any more tips.

RGPargy · 31/08/2007 12:44

Oh i should add that i dont have a pillow BETWEEN my legs, but rather i lay on my side and then put the pillow under my top knee as it's normally out in front, IYSWIM.

I dont get up when i wake up but just lay there feeling tired and dozing off again. I think it's the constant waking up for a wee that does my head in more! Oh and i also wake up starving too, but try and fight it til morning!

Original poster
sarahloumadam · 31/08/2007 13:33

DH in another room would help - I was only saying to him last night that the king size bed doesn't seem as big as it used to and he said something very cheeky about my bump .

I did get up the other night and had some toast but then I ended up staying up until 3 in the morning reading and I felt poo at work the next day. I do use a pillow which helps.

I was thinking about maybe exercising more as that used to do the trick before I was pregnant.

Will have to try the lavender thing...

OP posts:
beller · 31/08/2007 13:44

Another small tip is not to have the alarm clock facing you if you have one? I used to be under a sleep clinic, and thats one thing i still do...stops you getting hung up on time? You are supposed to get up when you cant sleep as well..but I wasnt pregnant when i was doing all that, the thought of leaving my confy pit in the middle of the night isnt great!
Sweet dreams all xxxxxxx

LucyK1978 · 31/08/2007 14:25

Be careful with the lavendar oil... anything with lavendar in (especially bubble bath) gives me vivid nightmares!!

saffymum · 31/08/2007 14:31

wedge pillow from Mothercare for your bump so you can lie on your side and a pillow between knees. (I still sleep with this one under or between knees now to help my back).

missbumpy · 31/08/2007 14:39

Oh, and if you're feeling flush, I've been told those memory foam mattresses and mattress toppers are amazing.

Sadly, I can't afford a new pillow let alone a fancy new mattress

Original poster
sarahloumadam · 31/08/2007 15:04

I do fancy one of those mattress toppers but unfortunately I am not feeling v.flush - moving house as well as having a baby . Just seen this support pillow but £40! Will have to gaffer tape some of my pillows together !

Another website advised using a commode or potty during the night - RG?!

OP posts:
iris66 · 31/08/2007 15:09

Hiya saraloumamad - I've slept much better since DH has been away (feeling sivckeningly refreshed this morning - but guess you don't want to hear that!!). I agree with the pillow between the legs to help hips thing. I also have a pillow behind my back so I'm not sleeping right on my side. Reading in bed for an hour helps me get off & a milky drink before bed after a tepid bath (if it's hot it'll only make things worse!) HTH

iris66 · 31/08/2007 15:11

saraloumamad??!! - clearly better sleep does nothing for my finger control! iris (30+5)

Original poster
sarahloumadam · 31/08/2007 15:40

That's it - DH is moving into the spare room!

OP posts:
Original poster
sarahloumadam · 31/08/2007 15:43

Notice that no-one seems keen on the exercise idea

OP posts:
RGPargy · 31/08/2007 15:44

sarah - do they do commodes or potties that you can sleep with in bed???!

That sleep pillow thing does look nice and comfy but i never sleep in the position that woman is in!! I sleep with my top knee touching the bed (or pillow in my case).

missbumpy · 31/08/2007 15:52

Sadly I think banishing DP is the most effective solution. Mine is out with his mates tonight which means a blissful night's sleep for me

I think they do those support pillows for £25 at Mothercare. I was thinking about getting one but feeling too poor even for that. Ended up getting some extra pillows from a market stall for a couple of quid and now I regret it because they're lumpy and itchy and horrible. They feel like they're filled with human hair mixed with itching powder or something !

iris66 · 31/08/2007 16:01

The "V" cushions from argos aren't too pricey. 1/2 under bump/between boobs and the rest between knees?

froozykins · 31/08/2007 17:02

i can really, really, really recommend a memory foam topper, i got a single, 3in deep one for my side of the bed (we have a superking) for £99 from trusleep.com, a kingsize topper is £180.

i would also recommend getting wax earplugs, which you can get from boots for £2 for 5 pairs(i use one cut in half as they are huge, so the box lasts longer) i am a really light sleeper, even my husband breathing normally keeps me awake and since getting the topper and ear plugs i have slept like a dream every night.

vole3 · 31/08/2007 17:51

Catch up during the day with a nap when possible.

ccpink · 31/08/2007 18:20

naps help and memory foam is good but defo moving bed is the way to go - just not very romantic - hate to say it gets gradually worse as you get bigger - I'm 36+3 now. Sorry.

Original poster
sarahloumadam · 02/09/2007 11:07

Thank you for all your top tips! I had an early night last night and I feel great today and look slightly less haggard. Can't nap during the day yet because I am still at work but looking forward to a nap-fest when I am on maternity leave .

OP posts:
Alfie72 · 02/09/2007 12:03

Apparently if you can meditate rather than sleep in the day, you will sleep better at night a/c to our formerly pregnant yoga teacher. Maybe you can find a local class or find a book in your library to teach you some techniques.
I tried craniosacral therapy- it worked a treat.

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