When is insomnia an issue?

[annettemarie]

And what do you do about it?

I haven't slept more than 2 hours in a row since Thursday night. I had this happen with my first child, but he was my first so I could just nap whenever. Now I have 4 children, and this just isn't a solution.

[happythistle]

I have also had bad insomnia with this pg. Yoga has worked to teach my body relaxation. Also, I bought a scented eye pillow that I use throughout the night to block the light that often keeps me awake. Sometimes nothing works though and it's very frustrating!
Good luck

[MaerynPearl]

Insomnia itself is not an issue... whats an issue is what is causing it. When you treat that, usually the insomnia stops too (having had sleeping disorders for years, my doctors have beat that into my brain very well)

Currently, my insomnia is caused by nerves and anxiety. I cure it with sleepy-time tea and calms forte with a lavender/vanilla scented bath now and then to kick the other two into high gear. It works REALLY well, better than I expected it to! And this is coming from someone who, even when not pregnant, can end up staying up for days in a row due to the insomnia... even taking prescription pills.

If it is due to being uncomfortable/hurting, a warm bath could help that too (to relax your muscles)

[~Adorkable~]

I would generally agree with looking at your emotional and physical surrounding and seeing what you can do

I also will add that long bouts of lack of sleep can certainly be an issue, it raises stress hormones in the system and reduces frontal lobe functioning so it is not something to pass off as just an annoying symptom. There has been many studies done about reduced reasoning skills connected to lack of sleep.

I suffer from bouts that last 4 days or so and here is what I find works for me

Eyemask and earplugs, I have a nice eyepatches that does not hit my lashes and super soft earplugs I got at a safety store, they are low blocking but way softer, I can still hear just more peaceful.

No bright lights right near bedtime, that means no last minute computer or smartphone checking, that light shining in my face gives me crossed signals.

When push totally comes to shove I take a antihistamine. I happen to have a very light rx one that works wonders, but even benidryl works to take the end off. Not sure how I feel about that while preggo I have not looked into it yet.

The cooling off of the body helps to trigger sleep, that's is why a hot bath works because you cool off afterward. Something I found helped me was lowering the temp in our house a hour before bedtime rather than at bedtime. This seems even more important in the summer time.

Good luck I really know what a drag this is.