Mental breakdown due to insomnia

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I’ve had a long history of insomnia and anxiety with periods of depression. All has been manageable for a couple of years and I’m currently pregnant with my second child.

I haven’t slept through since getting pregnant 6 months ago. I’m away between 1-6 every night and can’t function during the day. I’m broken. I have a toddler and a very demanding full time job.

Midwife suggested I speak to the gp, who said ‘many women suffer with insomnia during pregnancy but there isn’t anything we can do to help’.

needless to say I’ve tried all the sprays, sleep hygiene and meditation known to man. I’m definitely on the verge of a very bad mental episode. What can I do when the midwife and gp offer no support?

There should be an early intervention team for mental health in pregnancy. Different names in different trusts. Say you want to be referred to perinatal mental health. Goodluck,

What do you want them to do? Have they referred you to counselling? It won't get better when the baby is born it may get worse

You need to see your GP and get a few weeks off work. I had terrible pregnancy insomnia - it was so much better when I'd had the baby. It's really grim. Take some time off.

You need time off work. Have you had therapy? If you treat the underlying depression and anxiety it will help the insomnia as well as help you have the emotional resources to be the happiest and calmest mum you can be. Schema therapy is very good, as it integrates the past into your life now, without necessarily needing to revisit trauma. Pregnancy is a very good time to seek therapy as it brings feelings to the fore.

Do you snore? An osteopath may be able to help, it could be related to posture and breathing. I know pregnancy hormones are a cause too, but it could be many factors

Hey 👋 don’t know if it’s possible in the UK but I bought extra strength Melatonin online from iHerb (10mg) and they really knock me out. Maybe that’s worth a shot?

I'm in a similar boat and been suffering too, I'm now 28 weeks with a 21 month old. I have been a lot stricter with my prenatal vitamin recently and it does seem to have helped. I also took a max strength vitamin D tablet for a few days when I started getting ill, may have also helped.

The responses from your midwife and GP are disgusting to be honest.

Can you get signed off sick for a little bit so you can nap in the day when toddler isn't around? Or wfh and nap at lunchtime?

Hope you get some more sleep soon, sleep deprivation is so brutal 💕

I take magnesium bisglycinate before bed I understand this is safe in pregnancy (best to check) it works wonders for me. This is a tablet not a spray btw.

Hope you are sleeping better by now OP . I just wanted to say I take a floradix magnesium supplement from H& B which helps me sleep better , They also sell sleep gummies.

Try promethazine, ask at the chemist. I'd have a quarter or half pill first as it's strong, but you'll sleep and feel transformed (a drowsy antihistamine, which is safe in pregnancy) https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/promethazine/#:~:text=Promethazine%20and%20pregnancy,%2Ddrowsy%20antihistamine%20(loratadine).