Pregnancy insomnia

[Merrow]

I was prepared for the sleepless nights after the birth, but insomnia hit me hard in the first trimester and now I'm 22 weeks and a zombie.

Does anyone have any solutions? At this stage I will try hopping on one leg while reciting baa baa black sheep backwards if it will help. I've never had insomnia before, and while I can see some connections to pregnancy (I can't do the high intensity exercise I'm used to, I'm uncomfortable in bed) I also should be at the stage that my body just collapses into an unconscious heap.

Initially I put it down to anxiety, and I was worrying about various things relating to the pregnancy, but now I genuinely don't think I am. Tests and scans (inc. 20 week) have all been fine, I can feel some movement, I'm not thinking of the pregnancy at night, but I'm just utterly wired. It's as if I've accidentally drank 8 cans of red bull as opposed to the measley one cup of coffee I've rationed myself to.

For me the solution was delivery. But then I had a newborn. You'll get a decent night's sleep again in a couple of years.

Oh it really really sucks, I didnt have this in my last pregnancy. I recommend eating a banana right before going to bed, try and avoid screen time and try not to stress about it. I don't have insomnia every night, maybe twice a week now, but it was worse for me in early pregnancy. I spoke to GPs and midwives but noone had any recommendations.
When you're able to, naps can help get you through the day x

No solutions but wanted to say I have this. Currently 9 weeks and hoping it'll disappear after 12!

I had this in the first trimester, left in the second trimester and it's back in all its glory in the third trimester.
I try and have a nap during the day if it's been a really bad night, but that can make it worse for waking up in the next night ahead.
Haven't found much else particularly helpful, other than trying not to stress about it when I am awake. Its frustrating isn't it 😔

It's not just anxiety, discomfort or lack of exercice, the pregnancy hormones also disrupt the wake/sleep hormones. I wouldn't be able to explain it but there's it's something about pregnancy itself that causes insomnia. There are some medications that are safe to take in pregnancy (unisom I think), you can ask your midwife about them. Exercice aussi helps, even if it is not high intensity.

I mean, in some ways I'm glad it's not in my control, but I was hoping for a magic solution!

I am going out for long walks daily, but it just doesn't have that mental cleansing effect I find I experience when I've really pushed myself. I'm going to try swimming next week and see if that works out better.

I’m experiencing it too…and don’t remember it from my first pregnancy. Currently week 24. For the last few nights I have just got up for an hour in the middle of the night rather than tossing and turning for several hours! Seemed to help to just ignore it for a while! Then I went back to bed! Trying to see it as practice for when the new one arrives!

I slept much better with a newborn than I did while pregnant

I’m 38+3 and it doesn’t get any better unfortunately. if you can, try and nap when you are able, in the day, after work etc.

I had this too but I didn't worry too much as I had so much energy during the day! You'll sleep better once the baby comes

Thanks everyone, at least the sleep will apparently be better after the birth by the sound of it! I'll try fitting in a nap - I'm certainly not full of energy in the day unfortunately.

Snap 22 weeks yesterday and waking up at 3 every morning- wide awake - thinking of everything I need to do before baba comes! Been awake 2 hours now - I’m hoping this doesn’t last for the rest of the pregnancy?! 🥱💤

I had this badly during both pregnancies. My doc said to take piriteze at night. Definitely helps but don't overdo it. Just take it if you're in a zombie state and need one night sleep to return to feeling human.