Insomnia during pregnancy help - melatonin and noise machine not really working

[Ophelia]

Wasn't sure where to post this.  Is there something else pregnancy-safe that I can try?  Have been taking 3mg a night of Melatonin for just over 2 weeks now, and have tried using a noise machine for longer.  I have been consistently losing 2-4 hours of sleep each night and getting tired of it!  Yesterday I was awake from 2:30am to 8:30pm.  Extremely hard for me to nap during the day.

I don't think this is pregnancy related so much, as I have always had insomnia problems off/on.  I don't feel I am uncomfortable at night or that baby is waking me up.  DS does bedshare, but I wake up regardless of whether or not he is there (like if he is sleeping with DH for the night).

Thanks!

[Brownie~]

I have struggled with insomnia this whole pregnancy. I would say try a calcium magnesium supplement at night. I have also used Calms Forte (homeopathic). You can take a Benadryl, too, but I feel like they don't work very consistently for me, so I don't use them. It's so individual. I also use a fan for white noise and wear an eye mask. I put lavender oil drops on it before I go to bed. I'm sorry--it sucks.

[EllisH]

Just on the melatonin: small amounts are more effective than large amounts (my dh reported this to me - he read some studies on it).  250 micrograms (1/4 of a gram) should suffice.  Apparently, some company has a patent on this size...  You might want to try cutting down.  Also search this forum for insomnia, there have been some threads with good tips recently.  

[lillymonster]

I have horrible insomnia. I eat a lot of protein, take cal/mag supplements, drink a lot of water, keep a cool room, no caffeine at all, etc. I need sleep because I get PPD depression and anxiety while pregnant and sleep is what makes it tolerable. On bad nights I take 1/2 unisom.

[Oregonicmama]

I was taking melatonin but didn't find it very helpful.  My midwife suggested trying 5-HTP.  I think it helps somewhat, but I still have insomnia, so not really sure.  Have you tried earplugs and an eye mask?  Sometimes using those can help me fall asleep. 

[danipoppins]

are you supposed to take melatonin or 5HTP while pregnant?  I didn't think they were "safe" for pregnancy.  

I've found that eating a protein/carb snack not long before bed helps a ton with sleep.  It started becoming a problem this last trimester and I stumbled on the solution accidentally when I was trying to deal with heartburn.  Also, trying not to drink too much water right before bed and throughout the night.  

Hope you get some sleep soon!

[spatulagirl]

I just posted a thread about this. I have been suffering as well and can't nap during the day (non napping homeschooled kids at home).

I started taking a cal-mag supplement before bed and downloaded some meditations that actually got me a bit more sleep last night. And today I had acupuncture done which is supposed to help. I may start taking B vitamin supplements if I need to as well.

The acupuncture is supposed to work really well. I'll post an update here tomorrow :)