Insomnia during pregnancy - GP won't give me anything

[Sylvvie]

I have suffered with insomnia for years on and off and keep getting fobbed off with Yoga/no caffeine/ meditation/white noise and none of it ever works. I've been trying these for 6 weeks now and yet again they aren't working. Nytol and Kalms give me awful restless legs because of the type of antihistamine in them and make trying to sleep worse so they are out.

Called the GP today who said there was no medication they could give me (this isn't due to my medical history, it's purely because I am pregnant). She didn't even mention promethazine and after looking desperately online I can see this is actually in the NICE guidelines as an option for pregnant women with insomnia.

I've requested another appointment, but I anticipate as she has already said no she or her colleagues will say no yet again. So does anyone have any recommendations for anything I could take that would help? I am looking at Melatonin and Valerian, but whether it's safe or not in pregnancy is very vague.

You could also ask about Doxylamine succinate.
I take this to help with anxiety but it's primary purpose is for insomnia. It is also really good for reducing nausea so win win!
It is category A for use in pregnancy (I.e. as safe as you can get)

Lavender oil or lavender pillow spray.

You can buy promethazine over the counter/online

Promethazine is an antihistamine.

You can take melatonin. I'm in the US, and the obstetricians recommend it if you're pregnant and they're very risk averse.

I had terrible pregnancy insomnia too and took it so I could get some rest.

@allfurcoatnoknickers I've looked at melatonin before as I have insomnia, it's difficult to get in the UK.

I sympathise OP. i had horrendous insomnia when I was pregnant. Ended getting signed off sick from about 5 months as I was hallucinating through lack of sleep. It instantly got better after I gave birth though.

I was told to buy promethazine under the brand name of Sominex by my perinatal nurse (she can't prescribe).

It worked a treat, and it suitable for over 12 weeks

You can buy Promethazine over the counter and it's definitely pregnancy safe, I was prescribed it for bad morning sickness

I have found doxylamine quite effective but it's another drowsy antihistamine so you might still get the restless legs problem (I get that if I take it too early in the evening and don't go to sleep straight away). It has a long half life too so you might also find you're still sleepy the next morning.