Insomnia in pregnancy - any recommendations?

[Janus]

Having now been awake since 2.00am I have given up the thought of going back to sleep and have done a load of washing, unloaded dishwasher and now logging on here for some desperate pleading for help.
I am 28 weeks pregnant and for the past 3 weeks or so have been having terrible problems sleeping. I try to go to bed around 11pm and take a little time to nod off but I am waking again at least once and am finding it harder and harder to get back to sleep. I lay for 2 hours tonight before giving up, listening to partner snore and wanting to belt him!! Nothing in particular wakes me up, daughter sometimes wakes in the night, she did tonight but I was already awake. I usually don't need the loo, I just seem to wake from being a little uncomfortable with growing bump and then I can't get back to sleep. Any ideas?

Janus, what a shame, it's the one time in your life when you need your sleep as well. I can't offer much advice except towards the end with DS2 I found it easier not to go to bed until midnight/1am, and I would usually have hot chocolate late in the evening to help me to feel sleepy, didn't always work mind you, if you can try and catch up a bit during the day, if nothing else at least you are getting into the routine in advance of the new baby. It's not funny though

I found that listening to the radio helped. I've got a speaker that plugs into the earphone socket and slips under your pillow, so only you can hear it. If you can't get back to sleep there's usually something interesting on either the World Service or Radio 5!

Hi Janus, you have my sympathies, I'm 27 weeks pregnant and can't sleep very well. Do you find it's because you're uncomfortable or is your mind racing or something? With me it's a bit of both, one thing I have found quite helpful is wedging an extra pillow between my knees, pillow is known as "Eric" extra pillow! I read somewhere that it helps keep the spine in the correct alignment. Was telling my dh about this who suffers with his back and he has now nicked Eric for himself! I've resorted to using "Victor" V shaped pillow which works well too! Talk about pillows r us in our bed!! I find that reading just before I go to sleep helps as well, but not factual stuff, something light or amusing.
Anyway, hope some of this helps

Janus, I'm 28 wks this wk too..and find I suffer the same fate as you every now & then (not continuously thank goodness). I usually get up but don't do anything too active - ie News 24 or World Service gets tedious enough to send me off to sleep (on sofa, because the light/noise would wake up dh). I don't try going to bed later because I genuinely feel tired around 9.30/10pm. can you make up any sleep during the day? sometimes my dd has a nap on the 2 days I spend with her and I snooze then. I think it's the hormones and baby activity in general, kicking etc but it's a real pain.

Give birth! Seriously though, I had terrible insomnia all through both my pregnancies. I kept a book by the bed (make sure it's light reading) and just read with a very dim nightlight until I fell asleep again. It's important not to get too agitated about not sleeping, because it just makes you more awake. Also, try not to eat dinner within 4 hours or so of going to bed. I found the acid indigestion kept me awake too. Also, toward the end I had a little liqueur just before going to bed to help take the edge off my insomnia.

I had this problem too! (Now I have a 5 month old problem which keeps me awake for different reasons...)
Try a few drops of Lavendar Oil (Boots Botanic Range)in a warm bath every night, it really is relaxing & calming.
And if indigestion/heartburn is a problem, I found Gaviscon really helped.

Thank you everyone. I did catch up on my sleep yesterday when daughter went down and then fell asleep on the sofa by about 10pm! I think it is partly my mind racing with all sorts (how will I cope with new baby and also we are in the process of house hunting, etc) and also just getting uncomfortable. Last night I woke up but just kept trying to think of nothing rather than let my wind wander on to worries, etc, easier said than done sometimes! No heartburn YET but sure that's heading my way soon but I too lived on Gaviscon last time so must buy some in preparation. Good, or rather dull!, book must be found too and love the smell of lavender so must get some of that too.
Thanks again, that really helps.

Late pregnancy insomnia is a really cruel trick of nature. I had it in both my pregnancies and found it very difficult to cope with.
I think a healthy dose of fresh air in the afternoon helps, particularly at this time of year when it is tempting to stay indoors with the central heating on.
With my second pregnancy, I think not trying to fight it was what kept me sane in the end. I bought some really good books and when I woke up, instead of tossing and turning I went downstairs and read. Sometimes, I slept better on the sofa than I did in the bed.
I also think if you can avoid taking a nap during the day, you will sleep better at night. If your toddler still has a nap, put your feet up for a bit but try not to go to sleep.
You all have my sympathy and I wish you restful nights.

Janus,
I'm on my second pregnancy and seem to have woken up every night during it for varying lengths of time. I'm now at 36 weeks and was up for an hour last night - like you there is no obvious reason for it but I've become resigned to it and almost always put the hall light on (so as not to wake dh) and stay in bed and read until I drop off again. I could almost say I've begun to enjoy this time and am getting through so many books. I've also like you noticed how much dh snores!! Perhaps he's always done this but when I'm lying awake he seems determined to get louder as the night progresses. And yes, I too normally resort to belting him so he turns over and stops for a while!
Best wishes with the pregnancy.