Sleep!! - Orlando,FL

A.,

The only way I got sleep was 1/2 sitting, I relied on my husbands recliner, but the couch might work too!

The only way I got half way sleep was to prop myself up on the couch. So I slept sitting up for weeks!

Hi A., The pregnancy pillow is working for me too. I'm 29 weeks pregnant. Also a cup of warm milk. Some friends have told me not to eat anything too close to bedtime as it wakes the baby but I'm not sure. It seems my baby is up all night these days LOL! Here's a link to some different kinds of pillows.

http://store.babycenter.com/p2p/searchResults.do?method=v...

I personally have the grow to sleep pillow. The only downside is I have to use a separate blanket to put on top of me instead of getting under my covers due to the fact that you'll probably have to adjust the pillow and/or turn yourself a few times at night. Hopefully you'll get some rest! me too ;-)

Try using your pillows to help position you comfortably. I used one pillow between my legs with the edge under my belly to prop my belly up just a bit. I usually kept my bottom leg bent, with my top leg almost straight over the other leg. Just getting comfortable helped me sleep better. There are also pillows called snoogle pillows that are suppose to be really good.

If you are having trouble relaxing or clearing your mind you could try some quiet soothing music, like nature sounds, enya, or any other sleepy music. Maybe try a bath, with relaxing aromas, bubbles, and candles to help you wind down. Or you could try reading until you fall asleep (reading almost always puts me to sleep) if that works for you.

Hey A., I went through the same problem when I was pregnant, the body pillow worked great for me but I also had some peanut butter toast and a cup of chamomile tea before bed, that seemed to do the trick. Are you waking up do to any charley horses, that was the culprit for most night with me. I also took a potassium pill before bedtime right along with my prenatals and it never bothered me again. Good luck and congrats! My dauther is 7m old and I am LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!

The only thing that saved me when I was pregnant was my Tempurpedic Bed (the memory foam bed). Obviously, buying a new mattress would be a bit extreme, but maybe you could buy one of those memory foam mattress pads? The extra cushioning and support will feel soooo much better. Also, my doctor recommended Tylenol PM for those nights when nothing helped. I had a decent amount of success with that as well. Good luck!

Take naps during the day if you can... I would take one around lunchtime for 20 minutes or so, another when I came home from work, and I'd usually fall asleep on the couch after dinner while my DH watched tv (Of course, this was when I was pg with #1). The naps help balance out the lack of sleep that is inevitable during your pregnancy... and beyond! My DD is almost 15 months old and even if she sleeps through the night, I still don't!
I had a small squishy travel pillow and a body pillow I would position between my legs and under my belly. That's also very helpful to alleviate stress/weight of baby.
I never took Tylenol PM or any other sleep meds. Tylenol only for severe headaches!
Best of luck and sweet dreams!

I slept right up against my husband, with my belly pressing against his back! It was the most comfy way for me to sleep! I don't know about for him though....lol. Good Luck!

I received a Snoogle body pillow for my first pregnany- and I wouldn't trade that thing for anything in the world! It is a large shaped firm full body pillow that can double as a nursing pillow after your baby is born. I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with twins and as soon as I found out I was pregnant this time, I pulled out the snoogle. I swear it's the only way I can get and stay comfortable at night. Babies R Us and Baby Depot @ Burlington sell them for about $50- a little pricey, but worth EVERY PENNY if you ask me! I also try to have a light snack and glass of milk about 30 minutes before bed time (otherwise I wake up hungry around 3am!) and I try to go for an afternoon or evening walk to get a little fresh air and exercise toward the end of the day. I also practice yoga and try to do 15-20 minutes of relaxation and gentle stretching about an hour before bedtime a few nights a week (Yoga Mama is a good prenatal yoga DVD for all levels). Best of luck to you!

What helped me sleep was a body pillow. They are great, when you get bigger it helps to lay on your side with your stomach on it. Some doctors say it is ok to take benadryl on occasion. I would ask your doctor before doing so.

Not sure how I slept a wink through my 1st two pregnancies without it-- for my 3rd pregnancy I discovered that C shaped full length pregnancy pillow. I forget what it's called, but Babies R Us has it and it's worth every single penny!! Also, they say that TV actually stimulates your brain (that includes a computer monitor) and it's bad to watch right before bed, so try some sort of soothing ritual (whatever works for you- reading, bubble bath, chatting on the phone) BEFORE you lay down and try to get some shut eye

I have four I know it is sometimes impossible to get comfortable. Try a long pillow that seemed to help.

C.
Mom to Danielle, Nicole, Amanda & Joe-Joe
Helping Moms work from home
http://colleend.stayinhomeandlovinit.com

I always thought that my body was getting me ready for the baby being up all hours. IT's your HORMONES!!!!

Taking a relaxing bath, if your still allowed, though not to hot. Having hubby give you back massage, helps tremendously. Also, warm milk, with honey and a touch of REAL vailla extract. Right before bed. I also had to nap alot. I really believe that your body is preparing you for when the baby get's here and that's the only option you have. So take lots of naps, and sleep when you can. If you can't go to sleep, don't stress about it. it actually just makes it worse. I slept on the couch a lot right before I gave birth. I would watch tv and not want to wake my husband. As -seen-on-tv ads have a sleep-inducing quality. Either that, or you become an avid QVC shopper.

try the milk. it helps. also find a way to cut off your mind.

I haven't read any other responses, so sorry if this is a repeat! During my (3) pregnancies I could NOT sleep without my body pillow! It's like a regular pillow but it's like 4 feet long. I also keep extra pillows behind my back and made hubby stay on the far sde of the bed!! lol Also a warm (not too hot! I forget why) shower right before I laid down was relaxing. You can get the pillows at Wal-Mart, they're not too expensive.

When I was pregnant, from about 32 weeks on I had to sleep on the couch! That was the only place that I could get comfortable. Of course I had to sleep on my side, but having the couch supporting my back made me as comfortable as I could have gotten at the time. Good Luck :)

just your body preparing you for no sleep after you have the baby! my doctor said i could take 1 tylenol pm. Let me tell you, i had much better sleep, though not a full night. But at least i felt rested. And i only took it like every 3rd night for a few weeks, or whenever i felt like i really needed it. Ask your doctor.

Hi A.! Congrats! The only way I was able to sleep was with one of those long S-shaped pillows. I'm not sure what they are called as I borrowed one from a friend. I think you can find them at Babies R Us...

Good luck!
M.

Sorry chica, I worked up until 36 weeks as a server and bartender. Long exhausting 8-10 hour shifts, and I couldn't sleep at all. The couch helped a little though. It was firmer than my bed so I got a little better rest. I hear it's one of the common joys of pregnancy. Isn't your baby keeping you up all night moving around? My guy had parties every night. Good luck!!