Fed up ... not sleeping, blocked nose & bump support ...

[millie1]

Aaaargh! Am 24+5 and haven't had a night's sleep in weeks. Initially due to constantly blocked nose which causes me to wake every 1.5-2 hours with dry mouth etc etc and now my bump feels so big and needs support. So what's best for the bump support? Had one of those wedge pillows from Mothercare for previous pregs but can't find it and it was pretty hard. Any recommendations? Also, any ideas re the sleeping thing ... feel like I can't continue on how little sleep I'm getting - and I've got 13+ weeks to get through so if I keep this up I'll be like a zombie by the time these babies arrive.

TIA

I am 25 weeks and also have a bunged-up nose. I suffered terribly at new year cos I got a bad cold and now it is getting bad again I think I am getting a cold again. I am awake for about an hour and a half each night cos I can't get back to sleep.

Last night I put a few drops of Olbas oil on my pillow and slept quite well. I tried eucalyptus last time but that didn't seem to work so well. Some websites say Olbas oil and eucalyptus are not proven to be safe in pregnancy but they say a few drops on a tissue should be fine. Not proven to be safe is a lot different to dangerous so I think a few drops is fine.

I saw my GP this morning and she said Sudafed was no good cos it was linked to abdominal abnormalities in the baby. She said Vicks etc was not tested cos it wasn't pharmaceutical or something so she couldn't say whether that was OK. So my advice it try Olbas Oil!

Also when it is really bad I have been going to sleep sitting up, which sounds horrendous but actually hasn't been that bad. Any sleep was fine at that point!

As for the bump, I find that the smaller the cushion the better, something just to wedge under the bump that doesn't get in the way of your face or legs. A pillow is OK but I find it causes me to roll onto my back and also makes my arms stiff if I have to hug it or whatever.

Thanks NH101 ... I'll try Olbas but will also admit to using rather a lot of Vicks rub over the last monthor so - it's become an addiction and doesn't help that much!

Must have another hunt for the M/care bump wedge. Wonder whether anyone has used the long v shaped pillows like this www.bumpto3.com/product.aspx?DISPLAYCAT=bump&CAT=Products&CATGRY=pregnancy_birth&PID=KA102 ... yikes, have just noticed the price!!

I have a v shaped pillow but don't like it too much, it gets in the way - it's not as big as that one though! I have heard some people swear by the really long ones but for me it is smaller the better at the mo.

I found that a cushion either side of me works really well and one in between my thighs. So much more comfortable now and cos the cushions have come from the lounge, I didn't spend silly money at Mothercare buying one of theirs!

You could try this cushion www.mothercare.com/gp/product/B000TLUG4A/sr=1-9/qid=1203348668/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&m=A2LBKNDJ2KZUGQ&n =42764041&mcb=core. I use a V shaped one from Mothercare that I had from when I was pg with dd (now 4)- it's really soft and goes under my bump then between my knees- it's the only way I can sleep! It's kind of like this www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3761030/Trail/searchtext%3EPILLOW.htm or this www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&langId=-1&q=PILLOW&pp=20&c_1=1|cat_95 56510|Clearance%20baby%20and%20nursery|9576785. I also have one of those memory bolster cushions behind my back to give a bit of extra support. HTH

I've read Jools Olivers 'Minus Nine to One' - she suffered with the blocked up nose thing and recommends Breathe Right nasal strips, that you put across the bridge of your nose. I got on well with the cheese-wedge shaped bump support from mothercare.

Dear Millie1,
I have had intermitant insomnia from about 19 weeks, the following has helped me enormously. My heart goes out to you because I know how difficult sleepless nights can be, espcialy if you are working or looking after small children. This is how I have coped.

1. I have taken time off work (less stress to sleep at specific times has improved it enormously) Not knowing I have to get up is such a big factor. I am lucky in this because I am on my first pregnancy so have no worries about older children.
2. Talking to GP / midwife / family / Mumsnet re anxiety. I have got reasurance from the GP that there is medication for sleep if essential. (I have managed to get away without it, just knowing it is there helps)
3. Eating bananas / museli in the evening. (I read yesterday that the vivid dreams of pregnancy can be worsened by low sugar)
4. Stupid TV at night is my valium. I just relax into the most benign stuff, Eggheads, Extreme Dreams, Quiz Shows, Any reality TV show on offer.
5. I have loads of relaxing things around the bed. I was given a blue water fountatin which I have on most of the night. I know it might cost electrictity wise but I love the sound of running water and if I wake up I just watch it / listen. I also have the midwife's number by the bed, a picture by my niece, my favourite DVD's, like my favourite comedians. There is a telly and a radio in my room if necessary but I haven't needed them.
6. Knowing that in a few weeks I will have a much wanted and much loved baby. (I have waited 4 1/2 years for this pregnancy.)
7. A pillow that I grip with my knees.
8. I think the single thing that has helped me most with sleep is trying not to go to sleep but going to bed to relax and I have just drifted into a gentle sleep.

I hope these ideas help. Take care!

Awwww newishad.. can I hug you now?
xxx

I'm with you with the blocked nose and trouble sleeping - had a dream last night that DH decided to leave me cos he wasn't getting any sleep due to my wriggling and snuffly breathing .

Plastering my lips with vaseline/lip balm has helped a bit with the dry mouth (not sure why - maybe the incoming breath picks up moisture ).

this was a godsend for me from about the 25-week mark, for all-round support. Have slept pretty much fine since getting one ... good luck!

I have one of these
It's great, I ordered it and it came within two days, was cheap and is soft enough to be able to fold up into all sorts of positions.
For my nose I just coat myself in vicks.

Thanks everyone for all your links and advice ... Newishad, what a lovely post. You've clearly put up with the insomnia for a good many weeks and have a lovely, relaxing routine worked out. I keep remembering how a colleague at work told me when I was expecting DS1 that her midwife told her, even rest will do if sleep won't come.

Some of the pillows look lovely - like the look of the dreamgenni pillow but if I could find my mothercare wedge, that might do and then I won't feel guilty about buying a Eze 2 Nurse pillow for when the babies come (if that's the correct name for it!).

I'm off for a warm/hot bath now, into my pjs and a relaxing night infront of soaps!

Thanks again everyone!

I could have typed that! The other day when I had a whoops-I-got-plastered dream it actually took me about five minutes (of horrible misplaced guilt) to realise that my dry mouth wasn't due to a hangover. I have a total sandpaper tongue and throat every time I wake up, when I am lucky enough to have got to sleep. That and SPD and awful buzzing brain (I had this last time and I think it's just preparation for the, ahem, adjusted sleep schedule you get with a newborn) are contriving to get me no sleep at all. My advice would be similar:

1. get signed off work for a bit if poss - have been off for nearly two weeks now and feel SOOO much better - not sleeping that much more but the rest and not having to get to work are improving my mood and anxiety and I'm not having BH 80% of the time any more
2. Karvol/Olbas on the pillow has also worked well for me - I even woke up with my mouth shut once!
3. Water by bed (don't know why on earth this one took me so long - does wake me up much more when I drink water but I think I go back to sleep more soundly
4. I have hot milk before bed but currently researching diary and congestion for DD so not sure this is necessarily a good idea!
5. Stopped eating loads of delicious dark chocolate before bed (this may well not be applicable to you )

Love some of these ideas! Am signed off for the next month Scampmum ... felt really guilty this pm cos I told the children I was lying down for 5 mins cos my back was sore ... my eldest woke me up 45 mins later . Shall dig out some Karvol for tonight and yes, the water is a must ... I go through a glass each night ... and still wake up with the sandpaper mouth. Recommend Creme Eggs though

Dear Millie1,

I am glad you are getting things sorted. Great you've got the time off work...it's helped me enormously, I'm actually not going back until after the baby and I am 26 weeks tomorrow. At the end of the day I think it's about finding the right method for you, taking into acount all your commitments. After a few better sleeps it's amazing but you will begin to feel human again.
Good night and happy dreams!

Aaaw thanks Newbishad .. you're really thoughtful. I'm thinking along the same lines as you re work ... it's just too much sometimes. Keep resting yourself

Message withdrawn

Thanks Trolleydolly ... shall get some on my next chemist trip. Am willing to try anything!

Hi Millie1, I had the same blocked up nose thingy when I was pregnant with dd2. It was awful, weeks and weeks of no sleep, and it was awful during the day too. At first the dr said I couldn't have anything, then i went to a homeopath who said she could help, but in the end I couldn't wait for it to work (I was desperate!) so I went back to the dr and he said my nose was very inflamed and prescribed beconase which was safe at that stage (15+ wks?ish). It workedbrilliantly!

BTW, dd2 has a far few allergies, so maybe some of her allergies were being channeled through me IYSWIM!