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

Original poster

chronic insomnia - any ideas?!

11 replies

splodgesmum · 14/03/2008 04:55

Hi guys, I'm fairly new to mumsnet - now 26 weeks pg, but with a history of infertility and miscarriage it's taken me some time to pluck up the courage to join anything like this. Superstitious I suppose.

Anyway, wonder if I anyone can help. I've been having real problems sleeping beyond 2am for about 6 weeks now. I have developed SPD so it hurts to turn over in bed - I've addressed that with pillows in strategic places, but sleep continues to elude me. I'm still working full time, and it's becoming harder and harder for me to function at work on the lack of sleep (luckily I have a v understanding boss!).

I have suffered from bad insomnia over the last 5 years (how long it's taken to conceive), but this went away during the first 3 months of the pg cos I was just dog tired. But now the pg tiredness is not enough to keep me asleep.

I know insomnia in pg is common so wonder if anyone else has any great tips for getting a good night's sleep. Prepared to try (almost!) anything!

OP posts:
Tinkerisdead · 14/03/2008 08:24

ohh i will watch this one with interest. i was coming on here to post the same thing but im in early pregnancy. im exhausted but just cant sleep and wanted some tips. i even tried sleeping on the lounge floor as i was so desperate!

Original poster
splodgesmum · 14/03/2008 15:15

any got any tips for two desperate mums to be?!

OP posts:
Didylicious · 14/03/2008 16:30

Do not lie in bed "trying" to go back to sleep - get up and watch the telly for an hour or two, or read a book, THEN go back to bed.

This works better for me than just laying there doing nothing and "wishing" myself back to sleep.

Sounds like the insomania might have something to do with stress - so unless you find something to relax you (telly or a book) just laying there doesn't really get you back off to sleep!

Personally, as I like to knit - sometimes I read through the next knitting pattern I'll be trying to attempt - this requires some concentration for me - and has the effect of concentrating my mind on something other than whatever it was I was worrying about!

After a while I feel sleepy again and go back to sleep.

It's not perfect, becuase the night waking hasn't been stopped altogether, but it shortens the time I spend awake when I really need to be sleeping.

Good luck with your insomania!

fizzledizzle · 14/03/2008 16:34

i suffer from really bad insomnia. i was told to try making a list of something in my head (eg animals)and going through the alphabet thinging of all the animal that begin with a then b etc. i know it sounds a bit odd but i found it really works and i rarely get past e before falling asleep

Tinkerisdead · 14/03/2008 17:17

FD my mum does this and on the night before my wedding we ended up sharing a bed (cock up at hotel) i couldnt sleep and she started playing this game but with fruits. we got to H and she declared "Happy Apples" to which we ended up in a dispute as to whether she really had seen them in tesco! didnt help the insomnia!

My insomnia now is def due to my mind racing i try to switch off and cant and its so frustrating as evidently physically im exhausted. any other ideas from anyone. Dont know about you splodge but i dont knit

Tinkerisdead · 14/03/2008 17:18

FD my mum does this and on the night before my wedding we ended up sharing a bed (cock up at hotel) i couldnt sleep and she started playing this game but with fruits. we got to H and she declared "Happy Apples" to which we ended up in a dispute as to whether she really had seen them in tesco! didnt help the insomnia!

My insomnia now is def due to my mind racing i try to switch off and cant and its so frustrating as evidently physically im exhausted. any other ideas from anyone. Dont know about you splodge but i dont knit

newbishad · 14/03/2008 17:55

Splodgemum,

I am a fellow sufferer. I am 29 weeks pregnant after 2 ectopic pregnancies and 4 years of infertility. This is an IVF pregnancy. I have had severe insomnia since 19 weeks (as a result of anxiety) and really sympathise. Lots of hugs to you over cyber space.
I manage insomnia in a number of ways (small water fountain by the bed v. relaxing), eating bananas, drinks of milk at night, watching lots of stupid TV, arranging counselling and getting as much support as possible from family. I try and relax hours before bed if I can and I think to myself how worthwhile it will all be in the end (much wanted and loved baby.) I have been off work for weeks. My doctor has given me Piriton to take if I need it on occasion. It's an antihistamine with a drousey side effect and she told me it is as safe as paracetamol. It's widely used in the treatment of allergies in pregnancy but in my case it's being used to treat insomnia. Maybe you could ask your doctor?

Best of luck and have a good night

NS XXXX

Original poster
splodgesmum · 14/03/2008 19:22

Thank you everyone, and special cyber hugs to NS. Maybe this is anxiety, although I don't consciously feel anxious I suppose my sub-conscious could still be holding onto a lot of stress.

I will try all your tips and let you know which one works!

I'm having counselling, which is great. I do knit, so maybe doing some knitting might help!

Thanks again.

OP posts:
lou222 · 17/03/2008 16:48

13 weeks pregnant and wake up at 5.30 am every darn morning!!

then my mind is racing - usually over the stress my partner is giving me
i watch tv till my eyes get tired or listen to the radio so that i'm not thinking about anything else
if i just lay there in silence my mind is just thinking about everything

not much help but you have my sympathies
it's supposed to get us used to all those broken night we will be getting!!

EEC · 17/03/2008 17:00

Another insomniac here! Racing mind.
I find changing beds sometimes helps. I don't know if it's because it's psychologically like I'm going to bed for the first time again, or if it's because it's cooler. If you are lucky enough to have a spare room a midnight move might help. If not, sometimes turning pillow and duvet over helps.

It really is horrible isn't it? Have had it all my adult life, but somehow less able to cope with it during pregnancy as so exhausted. (23 weeks) Sympathetic hugs to all.

Original poster
splodgesmum · 17/03/2008 20:47

EEC, can totally relate to the fact it's worse in pregnancy. I've had insomnia for some time now, but when I wasn't pg it was manageable cos I would go for a run, go to the gym, etc and that all helped me tackle it. Now, being pg with SPD means I'm increasingly inactive + I'm still working full time so just permanently bloody exhausted!

Going to bring my mat leave forward a couple of weeks I think, then at least I can rest during the day.

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