Pregnancy insomnia

[Collinsky]

Title kind of covers it...I'm really suffering here. I can generally fall asleep without too much trouble, unless my toddler fights sleep past a certain point - in which case, I'm still exhausted but can't fall asleep. The main issue is night-waking means not going back to sleep, for the most part. So if my toddler keeps me up until midnight (we're working on it, but he's been fighting sleep lately - a phase my 5 yo went through and she's now my deepest, easiest sleeper) and then I wake up at 2:30 AM, either to pee, or because my 3 yo has a nightmare, or because one of the girls comes back into the bed, or because I'm so horribly itchy, or for some reason I can't figure out, there is a 90% chance that I will NOT be able to fall back to sleep, and not because I'm done sleeping. It is making for a really rough time around here.

I took some Calmes Forte last night at around 3... no effect at all. At 7 AM I was still awake, and by that time, bawling. There isn't much worse than being so tired you can't keep your eyes open or think straight, but not being able to actually fall asleep. I'm increasing magnesium to help with the restless legs aspect, can't figure out anything to do about the all-over itching, can't figure out what to do about the racing thoughts (not an issue when I'm not pregnant, you'd think that just not thinking would be a good plan... ), am planning to drink more earlier in the day and less in the evenings to reduce nighttime need to pee, and can't figure out what to do about just plain not being able to be comfortable for absolutely no discernible reason. I'm sleeping so lightly that the smallest thing wakes me, stuff that wouldn't wake me normally AT ALL. Lavender isn't working too well so far.

Any ideas? I don't remember the insomnia being quite this pronounced in my prior pregnancies...

[twead]

I'm right there with ya. I've been taking unisom, but I hate sharing it with this little bean. I can't imagine taking it for another 6mo. Would love to hear something else that works.

[jenfl]

I'm having on and off sleep problems, too, but not nearly as bad as yours!

The Unisom is a great option. Women in Canada are prescribed a drug that's Unisom + B6 for morning sickness, and a lot of women in the US use it (including me, for 3 months!). It's a class A drug, which means there have been studies showing that it's not harmful in pregnancy.

[gardenmommy]

Well, I don't have any solutions to the problem, but here is how I deal with it, lol. When I wake up and have trouble falling back to sleep, I look at that as an opportunity to pray for those people who come to my mind. I always have someone I'm thinking about it, so it isn't hard to find someone to pray for. I also try to literally count/remember all the ways I am blessed, all the things for which I am thankful, etc. Even if I can't sleep for a long time, I have decided that it is still beneficial for my body to lie quietly in the dark and rest. I may not be sleeping, but the fact that I am just lying down has to be good for me, and it is peaceful, at least. Anyway, I wish I knew how to solve the problem, because I could sure use some extra sleep. If you figure it out, please post back here!

[craft_media_hero]

Originally Posted by gardenmommy

Well, I don't have any solutions to the problem, but here is how I deal with it, lol. When I wake up and have trouble falling back to sleep, I look at that as an opportunity to pray for those people who come to my mind. I always have someone I'm thinking about it, so it isn't hard to find someone to pray for. I also try to literally count/remember all the ways I am blessed, all the things for which I am thankful, etc. Even if I can't sleep for a long time, I have decided that it is still beneficial for my body to lie quietly in the dark and rest. I may not be sleeping, but the fact that I am just lying down has to be good for me, and it is peaceful, at least. Anyway, I wish I knew how to solve the problem, because I could sure use some extra sleep. If you figure it out, please post back here!

Ah, that is nice to hear gardenmommy!

I have been suffering the insomnia the last few nights, too, and last night was exceptionally bad. I was very frustrated and on the verge of tears, too. Plus, when it gets into the wee hours and I'm awake, my morning sickness kicks in. It's a drag. Then even when I fall asleep, I wake up as soon as the first light comes in the window.

Today, I made sure to get an afternoon nap. That saved me! I may not be able to sleep tonight, but I did get some solid rest from that nap. I figure, if I'm having difficulty sleeping at night but am able to get restful sleep during the day, then I have to take advantage of that.

[gardenmommy]

Yeah, and what is really frustrating me at the moment, like I don't even feel like being pleasant to ANYONE this morning, is that I finally went back to sleep, and was woken at 6 AM this morning!! For a totally ridiculous reason. I am not feeling super hospitable right now. I hope you mamas all slept better than me!

[jsh7809]

No advice here, unfortunately, other than deep breaths and trying to remain patient with yourself. But I just wanted to say that I feel your pain! I'm up at 5:30 after being awakened by cats/ husband/ pregnancy at 1, 2, and 4:30... not as bad as your situation but I've been there! I'm only 25 weeks and am disheartened to already be sleeping so poorly again (I had bad insomnia my first few months of pregnancy).
I'm also getting bad restless legs - I found out I'm slightly anemic this week, so I'm hoping iron supplements will help. But all of it stinks, and I already yelled at my husband this morning (for waking me up at 4:30 when that is the hour of wide-staring-awake for me anyway)...
I have tried Benadryl when I had nights of just absolutely zero sleep, but it kind of wrecks me for the rest of the day, and gives me nightmares... so I try to look at it like I am not supposed to be sleeping if I just can't. But it sure is horrible when you are so tired! I can't imagine doing what you do with your 3 year old and pregnancy on no sleep... here's hoping it will get much better very soon!

[cinderella08]

It's 1:18am and I'm awake. HORRIBLE insomnia already.... I typically go to bed around 3-4am and my 1yr old is awake by 6:30, eats, and goes back to sleep until 8. NOT good for an exhausted mama!

[aloya]

Whenever I can't sleep, I do 3x3 digit multiplication in my head until I forget the sets of numbers I'm supposed to be remembering, and that allows the rest of my brain fall asleep.

Lately I've added a twist to this and have been calculating the time left to when the baby comes, and then counting backward to figure out how far back that amount of time is. Ex: now, I'm 34w6d, so I have 5w1d to go, so I figure out which date was 5w1d ago (that would be...some time mid-November? don't know yet, will let you know later tonight...).

I know this sounds like borderline behavior, but complicated stuff like this helps me let go of my "awake" brain. Kind of like counting sheep. Plus, it gets me excited about how soon the baby is coming! Though lately, finding a comfortable position that doesn't hurt my hip has been more of a challenge.

To be honest, though, I think the "grateful list" or "prayer list" suggested by others may bring a little more to world harmony...

[Hilarigh]

I'm in the same boat. I always heard that pg women had sleeping problems and figured it was bc they were uncomfortable but my sleep problems are because I can't turn my brain off. I think it's especially bad right now bc there's so much going on with the holidays. I keep thinking about all the stuff I still have left to do.

I remember it was really bad the month or so leading up to my wedding. I just didn't sleep I guess I'll ask my midwife about what I can take to help with sleep although I feel weird about taking a sleep aid.

Do you guys know how/if insomnia affects the babies? Are my kids going to be sucky sleepers bc momma is???

[cinderella08]

2:48 and STILL awake...

[Elecampane]

Subbing...I've had it bad lately, too. Usually I average three hours of sleep a night. I can fall asleep with no problems but wake up about three hours later and then lie awake all night. I'm a zombie. I even took a benadryl once out of desperation and all I got was a lousy additional hour of sleep then felt like crap the rest of the day. Hugs to all of my fellow sufferers!

[october]

I went through a really bad couple of weeks with severe insomnia -- I'd sleep some one night and every other night I wouldn't sleep at all! Occasionally I'd sleep an hour or half an hour on my off nights but it was still rough. I think that it started at 23 weeks..

I felt like I was on the verge of losing my mind, and I don't even have any other children! I sympathize very much with those of you who have other children and suffering from this. I finally saw a nurse practitioner who gave me samples of Lunesta, and then a prescription for it when I told her they were working for me. It's a category C drug, but my midwives agree that the benefits outweigh the risks.

I actually cut up the Lunesta into quarters, and only take a quarter if I haven't fallen asleep by midnightish. So far, it's been working really well and I find comfort in knowing I'm only taking a quarter.

I have also found that keeping immensely busy throughout the day helps, with at least three 20 minute periods of exercise. I walk twice a day, and do prenatal yoga. Since it's the hormones that are causing most of our insomnia, the more you exercise, the more your body processes the hormones and moves them through you so they don't stay stagnant and build up.

I also think that skullcap tincture would be worth trying.. it didn't work for me but other mamas on this forum swear by it! The midwives say it's totally safe, and it also aids in digestion. When I tried it I felt a very clean, unclouded feeling of wellbeing. Nice and relaxed.

Lastly, I found that the nights where I didn't sleep even for a second were the hardest. That's why if I only sleep even for an hour or two, I feel incredibly grateful. Having that break in consciousness prevents me from losing it. I feel physically unwell, but I have my mind, and that is something to be grateful for! I have decided that we are not, any of us, entitled to enjoy every meal or sleep every night. That is why having gratitude for the good moments is so important. Thank you thank you thank you for that break in consciousness....

[texasfarmom]

I don't have much to add the pp haven't said, but I have been taking Tylenal PM every once in a while when I feel like I might have a restless night. It seems to help a little bit, but does not completely cure the problem.

I also try to take naps during the day and get even more frustrated during the day when I'm exhausted and can't sleep. I so tired I can't do anything else productive so why can't I sleep?!

[october]

It's weird because I haven't been able to fall asleep during the day either -- even if I didn't sleep a wink the night before. I get so wired on sleeplessness.... :/

[Snapdragon]

I can sleep pretty great in the morning when I can sleep in. So, like to 11 no problem. So that is how I have been getting my sleep. Because at night- forget it! It just doesn't happen easily these days. So I have taken to just staying up late and then even when I get into bed I just lie there not sleeping for a while and eventually sleep.
I am happy that right now I am able to sleep in so it means I am not tired all the time. But at night- it is not for being uncomfortable either,- or getting up to pee or anything. It is more that my mind and body just don't fall asleep!

[kimkim]

me too. i think i reached a point where i was so exhausted i finally slept through the night two nights ago. but that's the first time in over a week. i'm tired and in a haze all day and go to bed early only to wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling asleep. i have no advice to offer yet. i've stopped drinking so much water at night. i read that oat straw helps with nervousness and tension and i've been making a tea to drink with that and red rasp leaf and peppermint. i like to think that helps because i'm able to go back to sleep the past few nights after my pee break.

[Peace+Hope]

i'm up at 4 right now, heh. yawning at 9, asleep by 10, up at 2. neeeeeeed to go back to sleep.

my cat sleeping on my lap taunts me....

i got a scrip from my acupuncturist for a chinese herbal remedy she often gives to pregnant women. when i remember to call that in, i'll check back here and report!

[Collinsky]

While I hate that so many aren't sleeping (at a time when we need it MORE!), it for some reason helps to hear it. It's reassuring on some level!

[NataliaD]

I am in my first year of law school & listen to boring class lectures on my iphone which puts me to sleep within an hour or less. May be you can listen to something boring too. Also, the headphones are GREAT for blocking my snoring husband which is super annoying when you have insomnia Dont even get me started on a snorring issue!!!