Problems sleeping

[sarahharas]

Good morning,

Since before I found out that I am pregnant I have really troubles sleeping. I do fall asleep fairly easy but then usually at 2am I wake up and I can hardly go back to sleep. I always feel the urge to move my legs and I wake up my husband.

I think this is mostly psychological, because I have my viability scan tomorrow (I am 7+1 today). And when I force myself to deep yoga breath and good thoughts I do fall asleep.

I am really exhausted, I am so tired also because of the pregnancy.

I am.sure I am not alone, is there anybidy who could give me some suggestions what to do?

xx

[Hidden]

Hi Sarah,you are not alone, I'm currently 5+ 5 and I wake up about 4 every morn and can't go back to sleep,I'm really struggling at work due to lack of sleep! I'll be interested in seeing your comments,other than that how are you feeling? Bet tomorrow can't come quickly enough xx

[sarahharas in reply to Hidden]

I have read that a lack of sleep can very much be caused by hormones, so besides the struggles we have, it might be a good sign I have just bought valerian and lavender tea which is save in pregnancy and is supposed to help sleeping.

Physically I am totally fine, I have the odd pregnancy symptom but I am not suffering from bad nausea (just a little). I did not have any cramps or bleeding, so I should be quite happy, but I am just really scared. In 24 hrs I know already more and I just keep myself busy with work until then.

Hope you are doing OK as well

xx

[HopeTTC18]

I’m having the same issue. I’m 6 weeks + 2 and haven’t been able to sleep through the night for nearly 3 weeks now. I wake up between 3am-5am and either can’t go back to sleep or if I do it’s hours later and then I have to get up for work.

I’m exhausted. I have been hoping it’s caused by the steroids. Have tried taking steroids at all times of day but it doesn’t make a difference really.

I was hoping when I’m off the steroids in another 6 weeks it would get better but since you ladies say you’re experiencing it too I’m not so sure!

[Hidden]

Congratulations on your pregnancy❤️

It’s hard being pregnant after a tough journey, it’s not that we are not grateful it’s all the anxiety of it going wrong. Google doesn’t help either does it!

I struggled with anxiety throughout my whole pregnancy I could not relax until my baby arrived safely- even in labour I was asking if she would be okay. I kept thinking it was too good, I got scared we’d have a load of baby stuff with no baby it was completely irrational! I wish I could’ve enjoyed it more I feared every scan ( I had growth scans as well) & frightened each time midwife checked baby’s heartbeat. I wish I could give you “tips” to help calm anxiety but I never managed it.

Hormones will be playing havoc & pregnancy is physically hard on the body. My best advice is to rest up whenever you get the opportunity to- if possible have day naps even if it’s just half an hour. Really look after yourself you take it easier I know us ladies like to be super heroes!!!

I hope the scan goes well & can give you some reassurance xoxo

[sarahharas in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I have heard that from so many people with the background story of what we have, that you cannot really enjoy your pregnancy but are always worried. But it is good to hear all these positive outcomes to give me some hope.

Most of the days I am actually fine, but in the last 2 or 3 days I started to freak out. This is a "natural" (I still have all the injection needles at home in my sharps bin reminding me that it was clearly not natural) pregnancy, so I did not even have my hCG tested. Sometimes I think that I am not pregnant but thta it is just in my head. I am mostly scared that I am having an empty sac. My pregnancy has never been clinically confirmed, besides the countless tests including the clearblue digital ones. At this stage I dont even feel pregnant (whatever that means). These are the longest 3 weeks of my life.

I really hope that tomorrow I will feel better after my scan.

Thank you and I hope that you and your baby are OK xxx

[Meditationconvert]

Hi absolutely not alone, I'm waking at 4.30am on the button every night! So hard getting back to sleep. My issue is really bad acid reflux so I take a glass of milk and gaviscon just before bed but it's only giving me to 4.30am. I'm then having to get up and take more milk and sit up straight for an hour before lying down again. It's brutal 🙄

This has been such a long journey and I'm trying really hard not to moan but man it's hard when you're knackered and feel lousy 😊 I'm currently 8 weeks and hoping it settles down over the next 4 weeks.

Good luck with rest of your pregnancy x

[Hidden]

Gosh it's so hard, i had similar sleep issues waking at 4/5am after my miscarriage reflux, and palpations. I had insomnia many years back and mild sleep issues on and off so all I do now is say to myself this is just a phase, this will pass it helps reduce the anxiety about lack of sleep a bit. Also I do 5,4,3,2,1 mindfulness exercise. List 5 things I can see (even at night in the dark I just describe shapes) 4 things I feel/touch, 3 hear, 2 taste,1smell ( I don't know if it matters what order the senses are in) I sometimes do it a few times. It's helps a bit... XXX

[Kempton]

Ah pregnancy insomnia. I've had it at various points with both of mine. It's all the hormones racing and yoir thoughts are probably all over the place! Try and get rest whenever you can during the day, even if it's just a little sit down here and there. Hopefully it'll pass soon!

[Hidden]

I'm in the same boat for sure!! Although I am managing to get back to sleep! Normally I have to get up to go to the toilet!! Having disturbed sleep is the norm when you have your baby so I think it's our bodies trying to get used to the inevitable future!! Good luck!

[Lynnr54]

Hi, just wanted to say that you’re definitely not alone in this. With my first pregnancy I was exactly the same from very early in (during the 2ww). The insomnia got a little better during the second trimester but didn’t go entirely and then came back worse than ever in the third trimester. My midwife said it was my body’s way of preparing for a baby keeping me up all night (a cruel trick of nature if you ask me - surely the body should be sleeping as much as it can at this point!). I found that I did eventually go back to sleep but it took some time. All I can suggest is early nights and if your work schedule is flexible then start a bit later on a morning to have a bit of a lie in once you finally have got back to sleep. Also take a middle of the day nap on days when you’re not working. I also found it easier to get back to sleep if I didn’t stress about it whilst I was awake. You said yoga breathing helps so keep doing this and you can also get some great mindfulness apps which I know some people swear by to help them sleep. You will learn to live with the tiredness but I know it would be nicer if you could get some rest! Good luck!

[sarahharas in reply to Lynnr54]

THank you for your reply. I now just try to see it from the good side, it is a pregnancy symptom and shows me that everything seems to be normal