Can't sleep - really uncomfortable at 19 wks

[RosesToys]

I am 19 1/2 weeks pregnant now and I can't sleep. It is getting bad. It has taken me between an hour and three hours to get to sleep every night for the past week or so. I am dying right now because I couldn't get to sleep last night until 3-4 am and then I woke up around 6 am when dh got up and he kept waking me up. We've got 3 electricians here today working on our house - they arrived at 7 am yawn - so I will not be napping until late afternoon due to all of the noise probably. :(

I am really uncomfortable sleeping now which is part of the problem. I am used to sleeping on my belly. I was able to keep doing that until about a week ago, which may be part of the problem now that I think about it. I'm probably having trouble giving up my favorite sleeping position. :( I have back problems, so I sleep with a pillow between my legs when I am my side and I've got a small wedge pillow to put under my belly. I think I need to go buy a body pillow to put behind my back, so I tried to improvise last night by using a large stuffed teddy bear (2 1/2 feet long or longer) as a back pillow. I think it helped a bit, but not that much.

I am a little clueless about why I am having so much trouble getting comfortable in bed - and I'm not even 20 weeks yet! I am not going to survive this pregnancy if I can't solve this!

I really don't remember having nearly this much trouble this early when I was pregnant with my 4 1/2 year old dd. It's been so long though that I can't think of what else I can do to sleep more comfortably.

Please help!

[sw1ssm1ss]

I'm sorry you're uncomfortable! I'm 21 weeks and I think around this time is when our bodies really start to change shape and make life more complicated. When I sleep, I try to have a pillow between my knees, a small pillow, wedge pillow, or even folded towel supporting my belly, and a pillow supporting my back. I think the pillow behind my back makes more difference than the one behind my knees--I use one for nursing dd and I've used one to sleep (whether nursing or not) since dd was born.

Do you think it's mainly feeling uncomfortable that is keeping you up or are there other things, like feeling too awake, stress, etc.?

[Becken]

:( Sorry about your discomfort - I know how hard it is!

I would highly recommend investing in a body pillow and I have two suggestions.

1. The Big V (http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=75&catid=10&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D10). This one is the best I've seen for allowing you to rest on your stomach. It's filled with these little microbeads and you can create a solid little donut for your tummy to go into. Plus, you can use it as a regular side-lying body pillow as well. Our doula sells them at cost to her childbirth class and a lot of the mamas in my group swear by them.

2. The Back 'n Belly Pillow (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002E7DIQ/104-9021324-9111922?v=glance). This is the one I have and it has totally helped me since I was in your position at about 16 weeks. I love it because when I turn in the night, I don't have to haul the body pillow with me. It does take up room on the bed, so if you're sleeping with someone who likes their space, they might be out of luck! I sleep with a snuggler and he complains that he hasn't been able to touch me at night for months. I say, a small price to pay for actually being able to sleep! I have made the little tummy nest with this pillow, too, but since it is softer that position is more of a novelty than a long term (over night) possibility.

Good luck with the aches and pains. I truly believe that my body pillow has saved my sanity so far and consider the $60-ish I paid for it a completely worthwhile investment. I hope that you can find a solution that works for you! :thumb

[shoefairy3]

I found sleeping on the couch was the best thing...then i could use the back of the couch to "supprt" my back. I also put a pillow between my knees...helped a ton :thumb

[AmieV]

I have a body pillow behind my back, a regular bed pillow between my legs/under my belly, and my feet up on a regular pillow. the pillow under my feet helps a lot. Or I can cuddle up with the body pillow and *almost* get on my belly. I have a snoogle but honestly haven't been thrilled with it. It's kind of hot and I don't like how it comes up to my head...I'd rather use my own pillow under my face. BUT, it definitely "works"...if my back hurts and I sleep with it for a night the pain goes away.

for falling asleep have you tried chamomile tea? I drink that when I'm having a hard time falling asleep and it always knocks me right out. Also there are yoga positions like child's pose that are very relaxing and might help.

[OMama]

I was having trouble sleeping too, and of course, the right pillows and whatnot make a big difference. But what has really helped me lately is taking calcium-magnesium before bed. It is supposed to relax your muscles and it has somewhat of a sleeping effect. My M/W told me about it and then I've been seeing this great ND and she gave me a powdered form that you add to water which is supposed to work even better. I really feel like it has helped me a lot! Good luck! I do know how you feel -- I hate it when I can't sleep. It is sooooo miserable.