Sleep aids?

[mrs rockstar]

I can't sleep. It's getting ridiculous. I've been having my standard awful pregnancy headaches and now I can't sleep on top of that which makes the headaches worse because they act up when I'm tired so it's a horrid cycle. Is there anything I can take safely while pregnant? I mean, unisom is used for morning sickness so it stands to reason that I'd be able to take it for actual sleep problems, yeah? Anyone know if Calms Forte is safe? I've been googling but all I'm finding is the standard relax, drink tea and let me tell you, not helping!! Help! Mama is tired!!!

[JunebugsMom]

I'm pretty sure unisom and benadryl are fine.

[so_blessed]

My midwives said benadryl and unisom were safe. In fact, my daughter's pediatrician is pregnant and she recommended unisom for morning sickness...it helped her sleep at night even when she was nauseas.

[MollyKenzie]

My midwife gave me some Calms Forte but she said it was for more restless sleep, like my crazy mind not letting me get back to sleep once I have woken up because I cant stop worring about the babies, my ds, money, my job, the dirty house...and well, you get the picture.

[Mom2Lex&Cay]

I'm getting desperate to try something! How is it you can be completely exhausted and NOT sleep?!

I'm up at 12am, 2am, 4am...and by then I barely get back to sleep before I have to get up at 6am. Ugh! I have no idea why all of the sudden I'm getting no sleep. I'm totally wiped by 9am.

I feel like I'm turning into such a complainer this pregnancy.

[veganf]

Try half a Unisom. I used it for morning sickness with #3. It's got the same ingredients as Diclectin prescribed in Canada and has been proven quite safe.

[tabitha]

here is something that works for our whole family- and is safe, pg or bfing or children-

skullkap tincture, or pills, but take pills sooner (30 min before you want to fall asleep). skullkap help me fall asleep and helps me fall back asleep in the night. as it happens, it also helps with headache.

i just bought, from half.com, a few herb books and they are really useful. no more looking online in the night or calling my herbalist friend to bug her! i got susun weed's childbearing year book and anne mcintyre's herbal for mother & child.

[pazerific]

to all the sleepless mamas! i was seriously thinking about posting a very similar thread yesterday at about 5am (after i had been up since 3:30am). i'll be watching this thread and taking notes! here's to hoping we all catch some zzzz's!

[catnap70]

You could also try some lavender essential oil, just a couple of drops, in a warm bath before bed. Roman Chamomile is good too for sleeping, again just a couple of drops. Make sure you use pure essential oil, not fragrance oil. But, they might just help you get to sleep, they might not help you stay there.

[SeekingSerenity]

Not to sound too mainstream, but I take Benadryl. My MW said it's okay as long as it's occasional and not every night. (It gives me stomach problems if I do it every night anyway.)

I have tried a few drops of essential lavender oil in a warm, soothing bath with a cup of hot chamomile tea... and after my two-year old jumps in the tub with me and my four-year old steals the tea, it's off to the medicine cabinet for some Benadryl. Sometimes that's just what it takes.

[mrs rockstar]

I tried the Calms Forte last night. I fell asleep quicker definitely but still woke up a few times. Granted this might have had a lot to do with my youngest wacking me and clawing at my chest with her too long fingernails. Thanks for the responses guys, this sleepless thing stinks. I was hoping to be able to stop napping with the girls during the second trimester but that's apparently not going to happen any time soon.

[rootsandwings]

has anyone tried magnesium? there is a powder called calm that is loads of magnesium with some calcium. there is ine formulated especialaly for pregnant women. it is wonderful. lots of times your body is reactingto a vitamin deficiency.

[Khourtniey]

Stay away from stuff like benadryl if you are nursing.

[mrs rockstar]

Originally Posted by rootsandwings

has anyone tried magnesium? there is a powder called calm that is loads of magnesium with some calcium. there is ine formulated especialaly for pregnant women. it is wonderful. lots of times your body is reactingto a vitamin deficiency.

That's interesting actually, I'm already taking magnesium to help my headaches.
And yup, still nursing so no benadryl for me.

[catnap70]

As I was foraging for my before bed snack last night, it occurred to me that more protein might help too. My Bradley instructor in my last pg recommended a hard boiled egg before bed time. I can't stomach that just before bed, but some other kind of protein meal/snack might help too. I went for my stand by, a scoop of peanut butter and a glass of o.j., last night and I think I could have used just a bit more protein myself as I was up twice in the night.

[SeekingSerenity]

Originally Posted by Khourtniey

Stay away from stuff like benadryl if you are nursing.

Very true, thanks for catching that. I am not nursing right now, but I never took that when I was. So disregard my suggestion since you're a nursing mama.

[vickjul]

My nurse midwife suggested Unisom. That said, I haven't noticed it having any appreciable affect on my sleep, but it does help with nausea.