Sleepless nights

[dazedandconfused]

Anyone else finding that they are suffering from insomnia, despite being exhausted? I sometimes have restless legs, and the rest of the time just can't get comfy. I'm due at the end of Jan, and the thought of 7 more weeks of tossing and turning does not appeal. With a toddler up at 6.30, there's not much chance of a lie-in, either!

Any tips for a restful night gratefully recieved!

Sympathies to you dac, the last few weeks are hard aren't they

Something I always find useful for restless legs is Clarins Lourdes Jambers (heavy legs fluid). I't fantastic, it's got menthol in it and you rub a bit on your legs and then they start to tingle and then feel cool and give very little trouble for the rest of the night.

It's a bit pricey, about 15 quid I think, but well worth it.

And your body is just preparing you for getting used to sleepless nights, mother nature is very clever you know

poor old you d&c, you have my sympathy. I'm only 22+ weeks pg, but have had sleeping problems more or less throughout, and know EXACTLY how knackered and insomniac feels! There was a thread about a week or so back (can't link it, not clever enough, sorry!), called something like "insomnia, help!", with lots of useful tips for you to try. Won't repeat them all here, but wish you lots of luck in getting some sleep before the babe appears (and yes, isn't it MADDENING when people just laugh and say "ho ho, good practice for when the baby arrives...!". grrr!)

suzy wong, just realised that that last bit might have looked like a dig at you, which it wasn't meant to be at all, no offence! Targets of my grrrr were really non pregnant people getting their 8+ hours sleep a night, making a hilarious observation.....

no offence taken. It is mother nature's little joke.
it is hell isn't it the last few months, the getting up to pee five times, the legs. And I used to get horrible nightmares, I dreamed my own funeral and another time that I was locked in a hotel room with Fred and Rose West.

poor you , i remember what it was like dazedandconfused. sometimes i slept better on the couch - dont know why. i managed to get a comfy position in bed by lying on my side both arms up around a pillow and 1 leg up like a 'running' position. this prob makes no sense.

i went to avon and bought some minty leg cool gel stuff and spray etc and this made the heavy leg feeling much better

hth

suzywong, i dreamt the other night that i could hear the baby crying whilst it was still inside my tummy.... (amazingly enough, even in my dream, I didn't think this should be the case!), and then it burst out, a la Alien..... still, not as bad as the lovely West couple (you poor thing!)

Thanks for all your advice-it's always so good to share a worry on mumsnet! BTW, I have tried the leg gel and it's fab. Can't believe it really works! The last few night have been much better, I'm glad to say.
Thanks again

i havent slept properly since start of this pgcy either. constantly turning over and over in bed to find a comfy spot. worried about lying on tum and squashing baby, worse as i get bigger now.due march. i've always preferred lying on my side but as soon i get into bed and do this baby becomes very active! dh doesnt get much sleep then cos im so restless. also get restless while sitting down. legs and feet get hot and restless.

know what you mean at 31 weeks i am on the couch more support for back and pillow btween legs trapped nerve in the back which leaves me with dead leg an shootin pains the joys of pregnancy !!!!!!!

ooh, i had a horrid dream last night, just like orangina's. the baby was howling so much i could hear it. then it rearranged itself so the spine was pushing out beyond my bump like some sort of spiky fin thing. ewww.
still, at least i was actually dreaming all this, rather than lying awake listening to awful radio phone-ins through an earpiece at 4am

baked potato, glad i'm not the only one! can't face the phone ins (i'm too nosy, would stay awake just to hear the next one...); i tend to allow myself to be sedated by the dulcet, secure and oh-so-soothing sounds of the (delightfully dull)world service!

My full sympathy as I had insomnia on and off throughout the pregnancy, and yes, lots of "oh just you wait" comments (I have more sleep now with my 7 week old ds than I did pregnant btw).
I had a huge "v-cushion" from John Lewis which did at least enable me to be comfortable.

Good luck though, I found this one of the THE hardest things about the pregnancy.

I know exactly how you felt dazedandconfused. I couldnt sleep properly from week 20of my recent preg due to a severe back prob, then as babe got bigger, it was either my hips or my ribs! I used to go to sleep with a pillow under my hips, bump and side plus a few more for good measure, then used to wake up every hour, to do the hippo rolling over in a river impression! when dd was bormn feltlike I was getting more sleep than had done for months! ( not easy with 4 kids!) what helped a bit was having a warm bath( or shower) and then sprinkling a bit of lavender oil on my pillows, its safe so long as you dont apply it to your skin.Avent do a nice range of future mother creams and massage oils and they are really lovely and do help with relaxation,they do a leg and foot cream which might help with the restless legs.

I'm only 24wks but have had pregnancy insomnia since the start and did last time, I think it's the hormones because I'm fortunate enough not to suffer too much physical discomfort - apart from having to get up to wee all night of course. It's usually after a trip to the loo that I have my longest period awake. DazedandConfused you have my sympathy with having to get up with your toddler, too!

I'm trying hypnobirthing this time and sometimes I practise the breathing during the wee hours. It's about the only time I remember to do any pelvic floor exercises too