Lack of Sleep While Pregnant!

Hi D., I'm not pregnant, but i used to have really bad sleep issues, but I started using aromatheropy lavender oil, one little mist on my pillow and I sleep like a baby, no more waking up through the night. We got it at Henry's health food store, and we use it a a small glass spray bottle one squirt and I have a good night sleep. J.

Well, I happened to think this is nature's way of getting you ready for your sleepless nights to come.

Just kidding, but ... Could it be? That's what thought, and then I happened to have the best baby in the world. YES, WORLD. He's 21 now, and still my baby.

I'm 26 weeks pregnant, and I have the same problem. I've always been a bit of an insomniac, though, so this is nothing new to me.

The one thing I would suggest is that you try not to get out of bed when you wake up. I think getting up, getting something to eat, and watching TV is too much stimulation and activity for the middle of the night. You're programming your circadian rhythms to expect that you'll be awake at that time. I had once heard that keeping the room relatively dark is best so that your body still knows that it's nighttime. What I usually do is just turn on a small light and read until I'm tired. I realize that this may not be logistically possible if you share a bedroom with your husband. (Mine is temporarily exiled to the guest bedroom.)

Another thing that I find helps me is going to bed later at night. Then I'm usually so tired that if/when I do wake up in the middle of the night, it's easier for me to go right back to sleep. I have to take naps in the middle of the day, but it's a lot less frustrating than being up in the middle of the night.

Also, the standard advice of getting more exercise during the day, drinking warm milk before bed, doing only relaxing activities before going to bed couldn't hurt.

Good luck.

When I was pregnant, I was exhausted all the time. I'd come home from work, have a snack, take a nap until my husband got home. Have dinner, try to cool my feet down (they were always so hot - I kept damp wash cloths in the fridge to help with this) and went back to sleep. In 4 or 5 hours I'd have to use the bathroom, need a snack, cool off the feet again, go back to sleep. And STILL wake up tired in the morning (and hungry and get out of my way to the bathroom). Pretty much for the whole nine months I just wanted to eat, pee and sleep as much as possible. Keep small snacks next to your bed. Grab sleep when ever you can get it (you'll have a harder time doing this once baby comes along, but at least your kidneys and body temperature will be your own again.). Every pregnancy is different.

don't watch tv. that can keep you awake longer.
a snack with turkey might help - what with the tritopham (sp?) in it.
if you have to do something - read a really BORING book, nothing with action or adventure to keep your mind working.
or you could try yoga breathing exercises.

it may have nothing to do with hard facts, but a delivery nurse once told me that when YOU sleep your BABY is awake and vice versa. your night wakings may be a good indication of the baby who will sleep through the night from the get go. on the personal note - if AP did not bring dramatic results - try different modalities - homeopathy is my favorite. works for everything. as long as you find right homeopath. don't ask your acupuncturist for homeopathic remedy though - you may as well just pick it yourself from Homeopathy for pregnancy and birth books.
Good Luck
V.

I have frequently had the same problem, waking after 5-6 hours of sleep and unable to get back to sleep. I don't remember if this started when I was pregnant (I'm not pregnant now). I know I had some trouble sleeping later in pregnancy but that was mainly due to being uncomfortable. The trouble for me is that (I think) my mind won't settle when I awake in the middle of the night. Sometimes I wake because I need to go to the bathroom, then I can't get back to sleep. I have really tried to watch my fluid intake later in the day, and I try to drink a lot early on so I am getting enough, and that helps at least with that. I also tried keeping a pen and paper next to the bed so if there was something particular that my mind was dwelling on, I could write it down and hopefully leave it for later. That didn't really help me so much because the act of writing caused me to wake up to the point that I could not get back to sleep.

I don't know if I really know of a possible solution for you, I just know how agonizing it is! I'm thinking that a little exercise might help. If you can squeeze in a 30-45 minute walk at some point in the day, that may help you. And when I do wake in the night, I try to keep everything out of my mind. I really fight to not start thinking. (hard to do). In relaxation techniques, they tell you to focus on your breath. Sometimes that works, sometimes not. What has helped me the most is that if I feel myself waking, I try to fight it. That's hard to describe because I'm half-asleep at the time, but somehow it seems to work. Anything that I do that forces me to wake up (like going to the bathroom or writing) makes it harder to get back to sleep. So for you, I would suggest not getting out of bed too soon. I know how miserable it is to lay in bed forever when you can't sleep, but maybe if you try to get back to sleep without getting up, it may work for you (?)

I know I'm not much help, but I feel your pain and I hope you find a solution!

I have also had lots of problems sleeping. I really sympathize with you! Have you tried going to bed later? Also have you tried pillows on either side of you while you are sleeping or between your legs. Also sleeping on your side is better than on your back.

It sounds like you're doing everything right! Hang in there. My baby girl is now 4.5 months. I had trouble sleeping during my last trimester. I had a harmless but annoying pregnancy related rash (PUPPPs) that caused me to wake up scratching. Or I would get up to use the bathroom and then realize I was hungry. I would usually eat watermelon or pineapple (a great healthy and hydrating snack during the summer months) and read a magazine. I tried to avoid TV because it can sometimes keep me up. I become too interested in whatever I'm watching and have a hard time shutting down. Reading usually does the trick. Exercise, a bath (also great for the rash), warm milk, tea, etc. before bedtime all helped keep me relaxed. Also, my job allowed me to start my day later so I could sleep in later. Really I think it just comes with the being pregnant. Try to remain peaceful and make up for the lack of sleep (if you can) by sleeping in later and with naps during the day. Good luck!

I agree that it may be your body's way of preparing you for lack of sleep when your second baby is born. Have you tried yoga or guided relaxations??

I didn't read your responses but are you very active? If you aren't getting enough physical activity you may be sabatoging your sleep. Also, take your calcium supplements at night because it will help you stay asleep, and if you need something for heartburn take it at night instead of throughout the day. Calcium blocks the absorption of iron into the body, and iron is very important for clotting and energy levels! Use some pineapple-papaya enzyme tablets throughout the day (I get mine from Trader Joes for a couple bucks).

Good luck!

This is totally normal. I had this problem and so did all of my friends. You're lucky you didn't have it the first time around! I figured it was just something I had to live with until after the baby was born. I think you're doing all the right things to help you relax... you may just have to go with it and hope it gets better.

Good luck!

try bananas... they have tryptophan in them.

Hi :)

If you send me your address, I'd be happy to send you the CD that all of my clients use when they have that problem :) It's about 15 minutes long and most of my clients have never heard the whole thing because they're asleep before it ends!

T. H., CD(DONA)
B*E*S*T Doula Service
www.bestdoulas.com