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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

no sleep!!!!!!!!

61 replies

mellymooks · 14/09/2007 12:19

I am starting to lose the plot, have just had full week of rubbish sleep (I'm 28 wks with my first) I go off fine, but then wake up about 2am and just lie there, nothing I do seems to work I've tried lavender and pillows between my knees, baths, hot milk, music, getting up, not getting up, but I just seem to end up spiralling off in my mind, worry about everything and just get really frustrated that I'm not asleep!!!! I know that it's probabaly only gonna get worse when the baby actually arrives, and I'm so worried i won't be able to cope as I seem to be cracking after only a week of disrupted sleep.

OP posts:
ladymac · 14/09/2007 12:36

Poor you! I was like that all through my 4th pregnancy. It was like alarm went off at 2am.

I read loads of books because nothing really worked to get me back off to sleep.

Would recommend having a nap when you get home from work - even if I just put my feet up for 30 mins it helped.

Only good thing was that I was actually less tired after the baby was born - even with a newborn I was getting more sleep than I had during the pregnancy!

missbumpy · 14/09/2007 12:57

I'm 35 weeks and I'm having exactly the same problem. I go out like a light but then wake up in the night (usually DP snoring or me needing the toilet) and then can't go back to sleep until it's light and my alarm clock's about to go off

I don't have any magic solutions but I recently got a hypnobirthing book and cd. The CD makes me go to sleep within minutes. Worth a go?

beansprout · 14/09/2007 13:20

I'm 20 weeks and am having the same. Had it last time too and it's not good. You have my full sympathy.

You are also allowed to slap anyone who tells you, "it's good practice for when they are born". No jury would convict!

Original poster
mellymooks · 14/09/2007 13:28

Thank you!!!!! Such a comfort to know I'm not alone, as really do feel alone in the middle of the night even though my other half is fab, my head just spins a million scenarios and I find it near on impossible to rein it in.
I'm actualy going on a Hypnobirthing course it starts next wkd and runs over 2 wkds so I'm hoping that will help and give me some new ways to relax. I don't think I'll mind quite so much not sleeping once my maternity leave starts, but at the mo, I'm just lying there thinking, how am I gonna get through work when I have had no sleep??!!

OP posts:
ladymac · 14/09/2007 13:30

As soon as your maternity leave starts you must rest, rest, rest!

CatIsSleepy · 14/09/2007 13:33

this happened to me too when I was pregnant. Trouble is the more you worry about not sleeping the harder it is to actually sleep.
I used to go downstairs and watch property shows on BBC3, occasionally I would manage to fall asleep out of sheer boredom...

Original poster
mellymooks · 14/09/2007 13:33

I intend to! Only 2 weeks to go, I cannot wait to just be able to do things at my own pace and focus on the baby and me rather than work!

OP posts:
aikigypsy · 14/09/2007 14:01

I'm at 32 weeks almost and have been having the same problem on and off. I find that I sleep better when I'm in the bed alone, it's dark and quiet out, I have a big snack (like milk and toast or weetabix or something) right before bed so I don't get hungry, and when I've listened to the hypnobirthing relaxation tape at some point earlier in the day. It actually seems to work better when I listen to it in the afternoon or early evening, not right before bed.

missbumpy · 14/09/2007 14:34

I know what you mean Mellymooks. I've got my last day of work today and I'm just so looking forward to being on mat leave and being able to sleep during the day if I can't sleep at night. I plan to catch up on a lot of sleep over the next few weeks

Original poster
mellymooks · 14/09/2007 14:53

Our bed is so big we don't know each other are in it!! We just got it a few months ago and cause my partner is 6ft4 we decided to get the king size, it's also got some memory foam in it and is really comfy, which makes it more annoying that I can't seem to enjoy sleeping in it! (we got it from ikea - total bargain would recommend!)

Thanks for all the messages, this is the first time I've ever posted on a site and wish I had done it sooner, it's a great comfort.

We just moved to this area a week before I found out I was pregnant so we've kind of been on our own as all our friends are scattered round the uk and not here. Hoping to meet more people once I start mat.leave and can go to coffee mornings, yoga etc

OP posts:
Original poster
mellymooks · 15/09/2007 13:10

Ahhh actually slept a little better last night, I still woke up but managed to keep my trailing thoughts reined in and fell back to sleep, I just need a whole week of that now and I might just feel human!!! I'm sure it helped just talking about this yesterday as I don't feel so alone with it all now, so thanks everyone!

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missbumpy · 15/09/2007 14:09

Lucky you Melly

I had the most horrendous night's sleep. My problem is getting comfortable. I'd love to have a big bed and a comfy mattress but it's not really an option right now. I've been getting really sore hips and back at night. It's so bad that it wakes me up and I can't get comfortable in any position.

It's definitely better when I make DP sleep on the sofa just because I've got more room to stretch out and try to get comfy in different positions.

I spent half the night on all fours (not doing anything exciting unfortunately !) trying to alleviate the evil pains in my hips. I feel like such an old lady today. I'm not sure how I'm going to get through the next 4 weeks

susiemj · 15/09/2007 15:50

Hi Miss Bumpy. I've had sore hips too. You could try what I'm doing which helps me. An osteopath told me about it when I went to her for something else. I wasn't pregnant then but I don't think it would be risky. Get a tennis ball and, with it between your bum where it hurts and the wall, make little circles against the wall. Or just rub it a bit. It does hurt at first but it does ease the muscles.
I'm doing it with caution because of fear of slipping but it is helping. Hope it helps you too!

Original poster
mellymooks · 15/09/2007 18:39

Oh sorry to hear you had a rough night missbumpy you have my full sympathy. I read somewhere today that lots of women find sleeping half sitting up in late pregnancy helps and they end up getting more sleep, not sure this would help but worth a go....?
Hang in there honey and spoil yourself as much as you can now you've finished work.

OP posts:
j20baby · 15/09/2007 18:48

i'll join in for lack of sleep! i'm 37 wks and have been waking up at 3am normally till about 5am, horrible isn't it, no suggestions, just sympathy!

Hayleyandbaby · 15/09/2007 21:58

This thread really caught my
eye. I've always slept like a log, i can even sleep standing up, i'm sure. But since I've been pregnant I don't sleep at all!!! It's terrible. If my DP sleeps it really irritates me as well. I've no idea how to get round it!!!

Alfie72 · 16/09/2007 00:58

I feel your pain melly mooks !!
It's so frustrating not being able to take even herbal sleeping pills either !!
My DH snores like a so and so to add to the disturbance.
I was in the same state at 30 weeks and went for 2 sessions of craniosacral therapy in addition to my regular acuuncture and ante natal yoga classes ( my how I craved the relaxation at the end !!!) worked a treat !!
I was told to try and meditate rather than sleep in the day as it helps calm you down rather than disturb your sleep later.

PregnantGrrrl · 16/09/2007 02:27

Boiling, can't sleep, indigestion...

Sooooo tired.

shouldalistenedtomymum · 16/09/2007 03:18

OOOH I remember that so well, I had the same problems when carrying ds. up to the loo 5 times a night. aching hips & back. dh waking me up to complain i was snoring!

when people smirk & tell you it's good training for when you have your baby, feel free to hit them.

also, it's not true. when your baby has arrived at least you can sleep during the day when he sleeps. you don't have to get up & go to work, feel guilty about housework etc. i got more sleep after my ds was born.

Original poster
mellymooks · 16/09/2007 10:21

Wow! I started something with this thread!!! I wonder how many more of us there are out there.....probably millions! I've started getting eczema back around my eyes and eyelids now (haven't had it there for years) think it's from the sleep deprivation and rubbing my eyes so much from no sleep.
Alfie72 what is involved in the craniosacral therapy and is it really pricey? My midwife says I can get physio but I've never found it that useful, before I was pregnant I used to go for chiropractic treatments when I got achy but it's too invasive to have while pregnant.
I'm hoping yoga will help which I get to start in 2 weeks when i go on mat. leave.

OP posts:
Alfie72 · 16/09/2007 12:51

Mellymooks, I think that any holistic treatment is well worth the cash if it helps your health and well being., I only needed 2 x treatments. Some places may offer discounts too.
Here's a link to look at:www.craniosacral.co.uk/
Yoga will definately help too, it made me sleep like a baby !!

Alfie72 · 16/09/2007 12:53

By the by...my eczema flared up when I was run down too, I found after I got some help with my sleep and went on maternity leave that it really improved. Natural steroids kick in in the third trimester too which helps.
Hope you manage to get yourself sorted !!

miniandme · 16/09/2007 14:26

Melly i have been havign regular chiropractic appointments since finding out im havign twins trying to help my body keep its best to carry and deliver these babies.The treatment is adjusted accordingly for pregnant women.For sore hips i would adivse piling up pillows and lying on them on your hands and knees so that the bump is supported and the pressure isnt really on the knees,really helps the hips,well does for me
I have only just started sleeping at 20 weeks but my problem was jumpy legs,or restless leg syndrome.it was killing me and i spent every day in tears after having an average of 3-4 hrs sleep a night,i also have 3 other kids,2 of whom have special needs so can imagine how exhausted i was.Have found a homeopathic remedy which has worked for my legs pretty instantly sand i have had almost a wee of sleep so far .
BLISS!!!!!!!!

firstyme · 16/09/2007 18:22

Hello mellymooks
seems like you have summed up my prob exactly so i dont need to write it down again here....even our dates are prob the same...(im due early dec)
my sleeping prob has started suddenly about a week ago....
exactly at 1 am i wake up and then ....nothing but tossing and turning...
once i discovered i was hungry (had this gnawing pang in my stomach) so i ate somethign n propped my self high on 2 pillows and went to sleep in a sort of semi reclning position.
yesterday i went up and this time i tried beating the prob by going for a real hot shower in the middle of the night. guess it helped abit...but again i had to sleep ina semi upright position...

once i went to the living room n watched tv on my recliner n dozed off!!!
sometimes i wake my husband and ask for a massage/ rub my back ...this really helps me to doze off!!

there is a stange feeling in my muscles once i am awake which keeps me away from sleeping...its not exactly cramps but you can say a milder form of cramp....

how long do we have to endure this?????

Amy78 · 16/09/2007 18:55

Woo Hoo!! What a relief to know I'm not the only one who can't sleep.

I'm 18+1 and pre pregnancy slept not too badly. Haowever over the last few weeks I could probably count the hours of sleep I've had on one hand - am starting to feel very depressed - doctor was bugger all help . DH has ben kicked out of bed and is now sleeping in the spare room. I think if this carries on for another 20+ weeks a divorce could be in the offing!!

Fingers crossedfor some kip tonight xx