Heavy bump making sleep impossible!

[Amberc]

I cannot sleep at night as my bump is so enormous and heavy that it makes my hip bones and legs hurt. I have to turn over to my other side about once an hour. Any tips?I already have a bolster pillow between legs and that makes no difference. I have already sent the most agressive email ever this morning as I'm so sleep deprived and grumpy and will probably get the sack if I don't sort it out soon!

I can give you a lot of sympathy, but no advice as I really don't think that there is a way to guarantee a good night's sleep when the bump is big. You're not just fighting the discomfort of the pregnancy, you're also fighting the hormones. Sorry.

Hiya, I get hip pains as well and have to turn around a lot in the night. I just wrap my legs around a normal pillow and that seems to help but you already do that...

Sorry, not sure what else to suggest!!

x

try proping urself up with a few pillows under ur head so ur back takes most of the weight but might not be really comfy but u may get a few hours sleep. i know how ur feeling ive been the same these last few weeks ive have no choice but to sleep like this as ive cracked my ribs and cant sleep well.take care x

i found a body pillow helped a bit.

You can get edge shaped pillows from mothercare that you wedge under your bump to help suuport it and take the weight off. Helped me a lot.

Second the wedge pillow for under the bump - currently on special offer at mothercare here

I had SPD through pregnancy and was recommended by my physio to sleep on top of a folded duvet to cushion pelvis/hips; didn't take the pain away entirely but did mean i had some sleep

I love the idea of a folded duvet - gonna try that (tried the bump wedge - didn't work for hips) am enormous for number of weeks (30 weeks measuring 35) so anticipate this being the tip of the iceberg!

Hi Amberc,

I have suffered from insomnia since I was 20 weeks. I am now 32 weeks. These methodshelp me.

1. I bought a pregnancy pillow from Mothercare. They are expensive but so comfortable. You can just wrap yourself up in them.
2. I am hugely excited about the pregnancy because it follows a long journey of infertility. I have developed a number of relaxation methods that work really well for me. Everyone has their own methods but these are mine. I have a small water fountain by the bed that helps me focus...I watch what I call valium TV which annoys my DP but I find it takes my mind off everything. All the reality shows and quiz programmes that I can find between 8.00am-10.00pm. I find that trying not to go to sleep but relaxing helps...the more relaxed I am the more likely I am to drift off. I took time off work because I felt the pregnancy was more important...knowing that I don't have to be up helps so much. (I am also lucky that this is my first pregnancy so I don't have to worry about other children. Might be harder for me to do next time.)
3. I have v. occasionally used Piriton (prescribed by my doctor for insomnia). Piriton is an antihistamine and I have been told as safe to take as paracetamol. It has a drosey effect so if you have a run of bad nights it can be helpful. You could go and talk to your doctor about insomnia. I'm forever mentioning it. Piriton can be bought over the counter but you'd probably want to ask a medic first. It's like taking travel pills.

Hope this helps. Good luck and good night.

NS XXXX

I am 34 weeks, also big bump and interfering with sleep. I did use a maternity pillow but as my bump grew it proved less useful. What has worked for me is this: I put two bed pillows under my head, and one soft bed pillow each on either side of the bump, which gives me a lot more support than my maternity pillow, and I can switch sides all night. DH is squeezed a bit, but doesn't seem to mind too much.

Amber, hope you got a better night's sleep - totally sympathise on the big bump; mine was a whopper too (and ds is still 98th centile five months out of the womb!) so be prepared to take lots of care of your back and hips once your lo is born, too.
i hung on to my duvet for a good while after ds was born, till dp pointed out that it would be nice if we were to sleep on the same level again, not with me a foot above him!

hello, I'm 31 wks now & measuring 34 so deep sympathies to you. I'm also starting to feel very tired, but that hip pain is a B**tard isn't it? I can't sleep for more than an hour without waking to turn, then I get stuck coz it feels like my hip has seized up. Then I'm wide awake & can't settle again. GRRR! Slept well last night by propping myself up with about 15 cushions into a semi sitting position, so that I could comfortably lie on my back & take some of the pressure off hips. Still woke a few times as I was trying to turn onto my side in my sleep, but I settled much quicker and felt much more rested this morning. Can't promise it'll work for you, but worth a try. Good luck

i seem to remember ending up with big squashy pillows all round me like a nest which seemed to help!

well I can sympathise too I am 39 weeks now and have not slept for 2/3 weeks my bump is 38 and I have bad pains in hips and pelvis seems to snap when I turn over. I use a normal pillow between knees bought one of the other long ones but found them useless. camomile tea get partner to massage your hips and lower back.

Empathy vibes coming your way

7monthsplus, do you have SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction)? i had it during my pregnancy and the "snapping" pelvis you describe is typical of this see this link for info
if it is, you can get help eg from a physio, who can advise ways to ease the pain and not overstretch your pelvis during labour.
massage is always a good idea!

Hi, It looks like I have chasingbutterflies
Yes. I am the sort of person that puts up with things and have not mentioned these symptoms to MW..However, Before pregnancy I was having chiropracter treatment(i was paying private) and he said I had reduced mobility through pelvis and I was seeing him for this pain. he never mentioned SPD I will see MW and GP thanks for this advice.

Another vote for a folded over double duvet underneath you in bed, it was a life saver for me during weeks 37-42. So comfortable!

Thanks for starting this thread Amberc. Silly me thinks we have to put up with these things. Have a watch on it to pick up everyones tips. Trying the duvet thing tonight as my back is bad today too.

Yes, folded over duvet, or big pile of flattish pillows and cushions to lie on, seems to absorb some of the pressure so you sink downwards when turning, IYSWIM, you have my sympathies...

I'm using eight feather pillows in various combinations throughout the night in order to support my 33 week bump. Haven't slept properly since about 20 weeks. It's a mare. Last night I went to sleep sitting bolt upright as my back is so sore.

7monthsplus, I have SPD too and have been kept awake for the last 7 or 8 weeks (I'm now nearly 29 weeks pg) with a 'cracking' pelvis - it hurts!!

Be warned that alot of GPs and/or MWs don't take this seriously at all and won't recommend doing anything about it ("just one of those things"). I pushed for a physio appt, and am also seeing an osteopath and doing ante-natal yoga with a teacher experienced in SPD. Your midwife and birthing partner needs to be aware of it for labour cos you don't want to make it worse.

I go off on mat leave in four weeks and I can't wait!

thanks spoldgesmum..I will tell mw partner for birth is DH what should he know? I start mat leave FRIDAY!!!!!!! yippee but due too soooooo...
I will push for help from gp and mw, baby is OP though so this wont help