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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Pregnancy insomnia

9 replies

Jurassiclover · 09/12/2020 06:59

Hey guys

Does anyone have any tips on dealing with pregnancy insomnia? I'm only in 1st trimester but my sleep is terrible at the moment! I find it so difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep and I'm exhausted 😴

TIA

OP posts:
Smurf123 · 09/12/2020 07:21

I didn't know this was a thing but hi 🙂 also only 1st trimester and been awake most of the night since about 2am 🤨

Original poster
Jurassiclover · 09/12/2020 08:33

@Smurf123 ahh noo its horrible isnt it! Its been the same for a few nights for me now, I take forever to fall asleep then wake up loads

OP posts:
serialplanner · 09/12/2020 09:13

The mum police will be after me for this but I spoke to my GP (a medical professional rather than a keyboard warrior) and they prescribed some antihistamines which helped me sleep in the first trimester and stopped my body creating a habit. My job is very demanding and I can't not be alert really. Second trimester has been much better and have to get up to pee so much anyway so I haven't used them. They are safe up to 39 weeks but I would say it's disturbed sleep now rather than insomnia so I'm not taking them.

serialplanner · 09/12/2020 09:15

Fun fact if you have a way of seeing then it started (I checked work emails as I started working when I woke up to combat the inevitable crash) I started waking up at a silly hour right after conception. Our bodies fascinate me!

kingfisher657 · 09/12/2020 11:58

I've had trouble sleeping since I first suspected I was pregnant (4 weeks and a few days). I fall asleep fine, but then I wake up between 2 and 4 and stay awake for a few hours. Either my brain feels busy, or I'm hungry, or I feel sick, or I feel fine but just can't sleep! I'm now 11+2 and it seems to be easing off a bit. I still wake in the night but I fall asleep again more quickly.

My recommendation would be to buy some relaxing audiobooks and listen to them while you're lying awake. Close your eyes, put on the sleep timer, and even if you don't doze off you're still getting rest. The Harry Potter audiobooks narrated by Stephen Fry are an excellent choice!

I would also talk to your GP, as medication could be an option if you're struggling to cope. They will know what sleep aids are safe to prescribe, if you end up needing them.

TheBlueStocking · 09/12/2020 12:03

Make sure you are having enough magnesium. You might need a supplement before bedtime.

KylieKangaroo · 09/12/2020 14:52

I had this in the first trimester, it was AWFUL! I got into such a state that a few nights I didn't sleep at all, I thought I was going mad. I ended up taking some herbal nytol a few times as I needed to sleep so badly, I think I was chronically overtired by this point. I don't know if they are 100 percent safe but they helped me get back into a good sleep pattern, now in second trimester and I'm sleeping fine again, apart from waking up to wee which is expected. I hope it passes for you soon, it's really not what you need when you're already exhausted!

wheresmymargharita · 09/12/2020 14:55

For me acupuncture worked absolute wonders! My hospital offers it to pregnant women - maybe ask your midwife?

linerforlife · 09/12/2020 15:09

I had horrible insomnia during my pregnancy. I got a Contigo cup and put a milky hit chocolate in it before bed. When I woke in the early hours I would drink it and it would send me back to sleep. Third trimester I had a biscuit too Grin

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