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Pregnancy

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

Terrible insomnia

2 replies

annepea · 26/03/2023 14:47

Just looking for support really if anyone else has experienced this... I know lots of people struggle with sleep when pregnant but most seem to have trouble waking in the night, and seems to be due to heartburn or other directly related pregnancy discomfort. My problem is actually falling asleep, I just cannot switch off and whatever I try I don't seem to be able to get past it. Since the second trimester I have had trouble falling asleep, originally due to a stuffy nose and dry mouth, and now since 28 weeks I have got to the point where if I manage to sleep at all it is only between 2-5am, and often I don't sleep at all for the entire night. It is absolute hell, I am mentally and physically exhausted and I don't know what to do because I can't go on like this. Originally when it got really bad I could take nytol for the odd night and it would get me off, but recently it has had no effect. I have been prescribed phenergan by the doctor for the next three nights only, but I'm aware this also will stop working quickly. I have never struggled with sleep before, normally I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow but this insomnia is relentless. I'm a zombie all day and I have two other children to cope with, also I never had anything like this in my other pregnancies. I'm hoping it's hormone related and will go after to birth, but I'm worried I've just got into a terrible stress cycle and this is going to become a chronic problem now. Has anyone else suffered insomnia like this during pregnancy that's magically disappeared with the birth? I'm so desperate now, I've tried all kinds of herbal teas, headspace sleepcasts, getting out of bed and reading a book after 20 minutes and nothing helps. Has anyone got any similar stories they can share?

OP posts:
Barelycopingmum · 26/03/2023 17:24

Oh I really feel you on this one! I've had insomnia with this pregnancy since about 18 weeks (I'm now almost 37 weeks) Its really rough. Plus I also have sleep apnoea so when I do get to sleep I don't have a good quality sleep then to top it all off I found out today my iron levels are low and I need iron tablets 😒 no wonder I'm exhausted all the time!!
I'm also really hoping it sorts itself out after baby is here. I've had insomnia with all my others (mum of 3 currently) but it only lasted a few weeks then went on its own - this is the longest. Try and get some Z's where you can and remember to not drive if you're feeling over tired (it's really not worth the risk)

Liveafr · 27/03/2023 09:56

Hi there, sorry you are experiencing terrible insomnia. I've always been an insomniac and it got pretty bad during pregnancy. Mine was mostly waking up around 3-4am and being unable to go back to sleep (and of course, leg cramps, hip pain, etc... made it worse). Well I'm 7 weeks postpartum and it had gotten better, I sleep better now with a newborn than in the last trimester of pregnancy before I started maternity leave! (but I have an 'easy' baby, a supportive partner and I'm still not working). It has been proven that the hormonal changes during pregnancy are to blame, so it's not just stress or pregnancy symptoms. Sorry I have no useful suggestions apart from the usual (magnesium supplements, exercise, sleep hygiene like you describe, etc...). The only thing that saved me was being signed off work around 35 weeks for other reasons, so I was less stressed and could nap during the day.
I read on the internet that many herbal teas are not recommended as they bring on uterine contractions. I ignored that advice and drank chamomille tea every night and gave birth at 39+6 weeks so I'd say that advice is rubbish.

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