Insomnia

[Rhubarb5]

I'm 34 weeks and struggling with insomnia, usually getting 3-4 hours of broken sleep a night. I had chronic insomnia during ivf and pregnancy loss and sleep is always the first thing to go for me. I practice good seep hygiene and have not been too worried about it up until now but the tiredness has really hit me today. Now I'm worried how it will affect my labour and baby.

[PenguinBlue]

Hello, I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling with insomnia - I have the same - I had it in first trimester and then it came back with a vengeance in my third trimester (almost 38 weeks now). I try and nap in the day where I can to catch up because otherwise I’m up from about 4:30 each day and it’s a struggle. Not sure if you’re still working but if you are, is it a possibility to take a nap in the day or start later etc to manage how you feel?I wasn’t great at napping when working from home but I would lie down for 15 min each day before I picked up my little one from nursery just to recharge my batteries a little. But would def nap on weekends and days off to help me catch up. Warm showers (not ideal in this weather though!) helped and also pregnancy massages to just relieve any tension might be something to consider.

Pls don’t worry about it impacting your baby - your little one is safe in there and tbh I like to feel her kicking and moving around me in those early hours as I know she’s well - even though I’d also like to sleep too! Same with labour too, I was awake for around 3 days until my son was born and the thought of meeting him powered me through even though I was knackered!

You’re nearly at the end and you our little one will be in your arms so soon - you’ll be fab!!

[Rhubarb5 in reply to PenguinBlue]

Thank you for your reply and for sharing your experience. Yes I have been trying to nap when I can which does help, or as you suggest, just have a lie down. Think it just really hit me the other day but I am feeling better now. And yes, great to feel baby moving around, even if it is in the middle of the night! Good to know about finding the strength to get through labour, I hope I can do the same. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and not long until you meet your little one! xx

[minnesota_girl]

Hi rhubarb I just wanted to say that I'm there with you, had it hit around 28 weeks and I find it ebbs and flows - every so often I'll have a couple of terrible nights in a row and then some less bad ones but at max I'm getting about 5-6 hours of sleep, at worst 2-3! I'm nearly 35 weeks now. I have decided to catch my sleep whenever and wherever I can and I'm not afraid to call in sick to work if I have a terrible night. I find that if I can get in a couple more hours at some point in the morning it sets me better for the rest of the day and I have a chance at not having the next night be quite as bad.

But I do empathise. It's not a fun symptom at all! But I do believe it's relatively common.

[minnesota_girl in reply to minnesota_girl]

The other thing I've tried to do is accept that I'm often up from 3-5 in the morning. I find that with that acceptance it's easier for me to fall back at 5 and get another couple of hours. x

[Rhubarb5 in reply to minnesota_girl]

Hello! Thank you for replying and sharing your experience. Good idea about just accepting it. I've been trying to get up and do some yoga or meditation instead of just lying there for hours. And some nights are better than others. All the best for your pregnancy, not long to go! xx