Little to no sleep (31 weeks)

[maybae]

Hi all

Just looking for advice for anything that worked/ works for you to help you get a decent amount of sleep whilst pregnant. I’m 31 weeks this week and have really only started having big issues sleeping.

So far I have tried;

• sleeping on left side with pregnancy pillow or normal pillows supporting back and in between legs however I think the weight is causing my left hip to ache so much that I just feel so uncomfortable and want to move which wakes baby up every time!
• sleeping on right side with same set up, again wakes baby up when changing to this position however this is now triggering my vertigo so can’t do it that anymore.
• sitting almost upright in bed (haven’t managed to fall asleep this way yet)
• doubling up a duvet to add as padding, made bit of different initially but then left started to ache.

I’m still working full time and losing the will now with lack of sleep!

I sometimes just lie there for an hour or so because I can’t switch off back to sleep or feel so uncomfortable :-(

Has anyone used Benadryl to help them drift off and stay asleep?

I know this ain’t forever and it’s all for a good reason but it’s just becoming harder to deal with now.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

No advice except get a ridiculously early night. I use to wake up at 3 and could not get back to sleep for hours... at least if I’d gone to bed around 9, I knew I’d had 5.5hs or so. My sympathies; it’s awful.

I'm not sure if benadryl is drowsy anymore, I know the kids one definetly isn't to stop parents drugging their kids.

You have my sympathies, it awful not being able to get comfy. I just did things you are already doing and struggled through, good luck!

No help but you have my sympathies, i have had 6 hours sleep in 3 days :( 36 weeks here

I feel for you..know how you feel..sorry, no help, tried almost everything myself and unfortunately nothing works..I get about 2-3h of unbroken sleep every night and then I’m up for most of the night (for years now) ..constantly tired. Good luck.

I am going through a period of this around 24 weeks, I had it around 12-15 weeks as well with back pain. I am dying to lie/ sleep on my back 😭😭 I keep waking up around 2.30 then 5 and can't get back to sleep after 5. I know that's not half as bad as it could be.

I am going to follow advice on this thread and get a very early night just to get the hours in. I'm not desperate enough to pay for a pregnancy pillow yet as not sure what differenxe it will make.

Sorry I don't have much more advice but suffering in sympathy with you OP

Things that work for me:

If you can, get a proper pregnancy pillow. They are sturdier and shaped more comfortably than arranging pillows. I have one in a U shape which means if I turn over onto the other side, I don't have to spent time rearranging things. Your mattress shouldn't be too soft either, as that won't support your hips and can make them painful

Magnesium! There are lots of different kinds of magnesium supplement, magnesium chloride is perfectly safe in pregnancy. I now use magnesium gel as it's best absorbed through the skin rather than orally, and has added benefit of soothing sore muscles and joints. It naturally promotes sleep. I've had zero sleep issues since I've been using it.

Hypnobirthing. I listen to the same meditation track every night before sleep. It took a few weeks, but now I don't get past the first couple of minutes before I'm out... If you wake up in the night, you just put the track on again.

Hope they help!

I second magnesium, it really helps with sleep! White noise is a big help for me too.

Unfortunately, the pain & discomfort when sleeping in latter pregnancy is part of the course.. I wake up every flipping hour to switch sides as something hurts!

Re-the weight of your bump - try one of these wedge pillows (loads of different ones available, just an example). You shove it under your bump which then rests in a more pleasant position. I can’t sleep without mine!

www.amazon.co.uk/Pregnancy-Maternity-Large-Support-Cushion/dp/B01A74293E/ref=asc_df_B01A74293E/?hvlocphy=9046670&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=309920217525&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-450541461816&hvrand=7839317462398688058

Also a pregnancy pillow can be handy.. I got a giant one this time & it’s been a big help. I’m most comfortable on my back 😫 but the pregnancy pillow allows me to sleep ever so slightly rolled over (but not too much) bur wedges me from rolling back fully onto my back. You can pick them up second hand pretty cheap, they’ll have only be used a very short time, just make sure you can wash the pillow case so you know it’s nice & clean!

Thank you everyone! I appreciate your advice and support!!

I keep telling myself it’s all for a good reason and a special little person to come into the world.

I will definitely try your recommendations!

Xxx