Insomnia in 2ww

[Kittygoo]

I am 8 days past my frozen embryo transfer. We had 2 5 day blasts transferred. It was the most magical and nerve wracking experience! I am trying my best to relax until otd on 1st Nov. I am too scared to test early. I find since the transfer I am suffering really badly with Insomnia. I am tired in the evenings and get off to sleep no problem but like clockwork wake every night between 2 and 3 and find it very hard to get back to sleep. Anyone else have this problem? Any tips greatly appreciated! 😣

[Niag]

Hi kittygoo

I also experienced terrible insomnia after ET. I went to bed and my heart would race due to anxiety.

I found lavender under my pillow would work, playing some relaxing music and avoiding tv, mobile and iPads etc an hour before bed.

Good luck with everything xxx

[Kittygoo in reply to Niag]

Ah thank you so much for replying. Thanks for the tips xxx

[Lynnr54]

I feel you so much. Exactly the same thing happened to me, from about 2-3 days post transfer. I believe it’s due to hormones. I got BFP and had the exact same thing for the vast majority of pregnancy - when I asked the midwife she said it was possibly my body preparing for what was to come. Whether or not the IVF drugs caused the start of it I don’t know so I don’t know whether I would have had it if I didn’t get BFP but I’d take it as a positive sign.

I tried various things to get through it. The official advice is don’t spend too long laying there - if you can’t get back to sleep in 30 mins then get up and do a chore or read a book before trying again a bit later. You’re also not meant to use phones/computers an hr before bed, not keep them in your room and definitely not use them after you wake up and are trying to get back to sleep. I did try all that. I also tried getting up and getting hot milk, using the various breathing techniques that are recommended, listening to one of those apps that is meant to send you to sleep, playing relaxing music etc and none of it worked. So I essentially ignored all the guidance and just went with it. I went to bed about 9ish (sometimes earlier), when I woke up laid there for a bit and when it became clear I wasn’t going straight back to sleep played on my phone for a while. Most nights at some point (usually around the 4-5 mark) I’d start to get tired and manage to get back to sleep for an hr or 2. I’m lucky that I can work flexibly so no one batted an eyelid when I waked into work late and then worked a bit later in the evening to make up for it. But I’m probably the example of what you shouldn’t do! 🙈 If you find any ways of getting through it and back to sleep then please let me know as I still struggle to get back to sleep these days if I’m woken early (not uncommon as my hubby works shifts and is often up at 4:30). I really hope this is a sign you have a BFP. Good luck!

[Kittygoo in reply to Lynnr54]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'll try to take it as a positive sign! I have flexible hours in work myself thankfully but by the end of the week I feel like I've been hit by a bus! Doesn't help that my other half is snoring away beside me I feel like jabbing him in the ribs 😂. So delighted you got a bfp xxIf I come across any magic solutions I'll let you know

[bumpkin]

Hey Hun, it's such a difficult time when the mind wonders! I listen to the mindful ivf app if I wake up! I just pop my earphones in and fall asleep within 5 minutes! He has some specific ones for 2WW but you have to pay but if you go to the sound cloud he has a free one!

Hope it helps!! Best of luck x

[Kittygoo in reply to bumpkin]

Thanks for replying. ☺I use the mindful ivf app alright and it does help a lot

[Hidden]

Try not to look at the clock when you wake up as you condition yourself to keep waking up at that time otherwise. If you don't know what time it is then you won't get so stressed.

I also use breathing exercises, breathe in for 4, hold for 7 & out for 8. Quite often I fall back to sleep while doing this but sometimes I will do it up to 10 times.

Also, the Calm app is good, there are a couple of free sleep stories on there that send me off to sleep. There are also sleep meditations if you subscribe.

It's probably the excitement/nerves as well as the hormones!! Good luck!! Xx

[Kittygoo in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the tips 😊 I know it is the nerves as well when I am busy in work during the day I can keep my mind occupied but it seems to come alive at night. Thank you!! xxx

[Dream32]

Hi. My insomia was really bad in 2ww, I can't offer any tips I'm sorry because nothing worked for me. I literally didn't sleep for a week nor could I nap in the day. Good luck with the rest of your 2ww x

[Kittygoo in reply to Dream32]

Ah thank you xxx

[Blondyboo]

I’m 11dp5dt and keep waking at about 4.30am for the loo and struggle to get back to sleep I put ear plugs in (other half snores!) x

[Kittygoo in reply to Blondyboo]

I feel your pain my other half slept in the spare room the other night and I could still here him through the wall 😣Good luck with your 2ww bfps all round!! xx PS good job I checked this before posting bfps defaulted to baps!! 😂😂

[Filmgirl101]

Those lovely hormones you’re taking causes fatigue and insomnia! Absolute nightmare!!! Sorry!

[Kittygoo in reply to Filmgirl101]

Ah thanks I definitely feel the 2ww has been the hardest part so far!!

[Hidden]

Yeah I have been the same. I find reading before bed and doing a headspace for sleep helps. You could also try kalms, it's quite good and natural x

[Kittygoo]

Thanks for the tips 😊I got some lavender pillow spray and camomile tea to have before bed so hopefully they help. If I'm honest though I think I will have to put up with it til otd.