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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Anybody else with pregnancy insomnia?

37 replies

naturalbornmum · 27/12/2008 00:47

I'm 28 weeks and have been suffering on and off throughout this pregnancy. Is anybody else experiencing this and have you got any suggestion that might help (please!

I have tried baths before bed, redbush tea, relaxing, not napping in the day etc.....

OP posts:
titmouse · 27/12/2008 06:40

Yes, I sympathise - I had it a lot early on and then it started returning this week (hence my 6.30 am reply lol) I am nearly 28 weeks and wondering if it is biological if you are also experiencing it.

I think the change in routine for Christmas hasn't helped at all, my eating pattern has got messed up, and my relaxation pattern too, and as a result the baby's awake/sleeping pattern has got all confused too.

I don't have any advice I'm afraid, but I am going to try very hard to get back to my pre-Christmas routine for the rest of the holidays as I am sure it will help!

hope you get more sleep soon xx

duchesse · 27/12/2008 06:41

Apparently so, even though I'm barely pregnant enough for it to count. Was wondering where everyone was...

titmouse · 27/12/2008 07:00

how pregnant are you duchesse? I started having sleep problems when I was about 3 weeks pg!

duchesse · 27/12/2008 07:02

Not exactly sure, but probably about 8 weeks.

titmouse · 27/12/2008 07:27

I didn't aleep hardly at all til about 14 weeks, then I did nothing BUT sleep for about 3 weeks - then it evened out til this week. I do hear though that some people sleep loads through the first trimester.

good luck with your pregnancy xx

Original poster
naturalbornmum · 27/12/2008 11:32

I got to sleep at 4am!!!! It does'nt help that I have a head cold. Luckily DH is great and I have'nt been up long.

OP posts:
WelliesAndPyjamas · 27/12/2008 12:52

More sympathies. I'm 30 weeks and the main feature of this pregnancy (No. 2) is the insomnia. Apparently, it isn't uncommon... whih is scant reassurance in the early hours as I lie awake...

chockywocky · 27/12/2008 13:03

i had it with both pregnancies, with the first i also suffered terrible itchiness (not liver related) and took piriton (from gp very safe in pregnancy) to ease itching and also helped me sleep...

2nd pregnancy no itching but insomnia so i took piriton a few times just to get a good nights sleep

both dc are fine as am i so if you get desperate maybe worth a go...

AlexandraPeppernose · 27/12/2008 18:51

I'm 27 weeks and haven't slept properly for weeks. feel absolutely exhausted.

I didn't suffer with it at all in my first 2 pregnancies.

I find if I go to bed ages before dh I can fall asleep easily but wake at about 4.

If I go to bed at the same time or after him I don't get to sleep till 3 so its a no win situation really

Original poster
naturalbornmum · 28/12/2008 00:30

Chocky

I will look into that. Thanks.

I'm sorry to hear that it is not just me - I have heard that is not uncommon. Thank goodness for MN - here we go again.

OP posts:
lamda · 28/12/2008 08:07

hm. I'm only 5 weeks, and can get to sleep okay (although a little later than usual - around 1am) but then keep waking up at around 4.45 and not being able to get back to sleep. Not great, considering my ability to sleep through anything has always been one of my strong points. That said, so has been my great digestion system, and that seems to be up the pole too, if you know what I mean (and I think you do).

meep · 28/12/2008 08:12

someone told me that a wake up at around 4am co-incides with when your baby might need to feed so your body wakes itself up copmpletely and you can't get back to sleep. ! Not sure if it's true but I do remember dd always waking at around 4am for a feed!

I've had it through both pregnancies (am currently 28 weeks) and tend to fall asleep fine then wake at 4am and toss and turn until around 6am when it is either time to get up for work or dd wants to get up - exhausting.

Any tiny bit of stress doesn't help either - I have been better since i am off work for 2 weeks and seem to be catching up now with all the sleep I've lost!

Original poster
naturalbornmum · 28/12/2008 09:46

I'm sending DH out to get pirition today. I got to sleep at 5am and was up at 8.30!!! I don't want to carry on like this.

OP posts:
fgpl · 28/12/2008 09:49

I have total sympathy for you all. I am 33 weeks and also having awful nights.
waking several times then cant get comfy, have indigestion, too hot etc. Poor dh is doing his best to be understanding but I get so cross with myself am waking him with all ythe huffing and puffing, gulping gaviscon, getting up for a wee etc.
Unfortunately the piriton isnt doing the trick anymore either.
Just want this baby here.
Had son at 37 weeks so holding the thought that this will be the same. The thouhgt of another 7 + weeks is unbearable.
Feel like an ungrateful moaning minnie but the exhaustion is really getting me down.
There. Moaning again.

jasperc163 · 28/12/2008 10:47

Just posted on this too before i saw this thread. Got to find a solution or I am going to end up in hospital as its just killing my immune system :-(

Whats the deal with piriton?

WorzselMummage · 28/12/2008 10:50

Piriton does work wonders

Nemostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 28/12/2008 10:51

ohh yes have had it bad this time and had it bad with ds..strangely with both the dds it wasnt too bad

iwantitnow · 28/12/2008 11:15

warning piriton can have the opposite impact on some people - it keeps me awake.

tinkisabigpinksparklybauble · 28/12/2008 12:15

i have had trouble sleeping for a while i am 38 weeks on thursday.
i started going to bed later than normal which has really helped i am much tired,

ElectraInExcelsis · 28/12/2008 12:27

Yes, I have noticed this - I'm nearly 25 weeks and have had it for a week or two.

moosemama · 28/12/2008 12:48

Hi tink! (waves)

Me too, have had intermittent periods of really bad insomnia all the way through with this pregnancy (am now 39+1) has been so bad over the past week or so I have been known to just sit on the side of the bed and sob with exhaustion.

Worst thing is how useless it makes me in the day, am literally too tired to do anything and I have so much to get done!

I have been told that if you stick to the same wind down routine every night eventually your body starts to recognise it and gets used to when to sleep. Unfortunately this doesn't help with the middle of the night waking which is probably the worst part.

DH remembered last night that I had this with DS1 as well and was so bad that the GP prescribed sleeping pills as I was literally going round the twist. Thing is, I refused to take the pills and continued to suffer until he was born!

Sorry, no suggestions here, just lots and lots of sympathy.

Guitargirl · 28/12/2008 12:49

Yes, me too! I am 35 weeks and haven't slept well throughout the pregnancy. It was really bad about 6 weeks ago when I started dreading going to bed at night and now it seems to be getting bad again. Seems to be worse if I drink juice or something fizzy in the evening as I end up with heartburn then as well. Had strong Braxton Hicks last night and started getting excited that this baby could come early. Went to 42 weeks with DD and was barely sleeping at night by then.

Original poster
naturalbornmum · 28/12/2008 13:06

God it is awful isn't it. I'm am too knackered today to do much so far. I also feel sick and have a dodgy stomach - think I'm just really tired. DH has bought me pirition and I'm going to try and get in to a routine tonight.

Can I ask - what do you do when you can't sleep? Do you get up and do things or watch tv etc? I usually lie in bed for ages and then get up and go on MN/watch tv but last night I did some tidying - not sure if that is why I was up even longer.

OP posts:
moosemama · 28/12/2008 14:19

I try to avoid the tv or internet as it tends to stimulate the brain making it even harder to sleep afterwards.

I tend to go for a walk around the house, make myself a warm drink, try lying on the sofa for a bit then go back to bed when I find myself dropping off on the sofa.

Not much of a recommendation though as I haven't really found a solution that works. At least DH gets some sleep though.

mrsgboring · 28/12/2008 14:32

I'm suffering too, though i think mine is more to do with the stress of this pg than just a pg symptom. I've also got a night waking 3yoDS.

If I am on my own, I do turn the light on and read in bed, which works for me (have always been a bit insomniac). If I'm pinned in with DH and DS one thing that helps a bit - oddly - is trying to keep your eyes open. It's very very boring trying to make yourself look at the vague outline of the lampshade on the ceiling. If you shut your eyes, your mind races more and it emphasises the fact you're not asleep.

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