Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone has some advise for me..

My sleep has recently become disrupted. I am usually a great sleeper and have never had any problems until November last year, after we found out we will need ICSI IVF to concieve (we are commencing our first cycle in a few weeks).

Now it's become the norm for me to have trouble sleeping. I have had a couple of times when I have had very limited sleep for up to four nights straight. It's kind of settled into a pattern of every second night. My trouble is that I struggle to go to sleep, even when I'm very tired. I have now realised too that my anxiety over going to sleep is making it worse...and I have no control over it. Sometimes, even though I am so tired I feel my body anticipating any sound or movement that will keep me awake. And I often drop off only for my body/mind (?) to jolt me awake again - just when I'm falling asleep. My DH snores slightly, and when I sleep well it doesn't bother me at all, but when I'm having trouble it's like I am waiting for the first sign of him snoring.

Usually valerian or sleepy tea has helped in the past, but now even these don't. When I have a bad night, I usually end up falling asleep about 2 or 3am, and have to wake up at 6am for work.

I know it's because I'm stressed and anxious. So far I have come up with some ideas and have banned myself from TV, internet, phone, and other stimulating things (including interesting books can you believe) in the evening as I am finding the slightest bit of "excitement" (gosh can you even call that stuff excitement?) tends to stimulate me! I have even declined evening out with friends as I have found that the excitement of that keeps me up~! Even then, I am still having trouble every second night.

I have gone to speak with a doctor, however she was so useless, and suggested sleeping tablets or anti-depressants to help me sleep, but then said it's not good to do if you're about to start IVF.

I don't know what to do or what I can do treatment wise because we are about to start IVF, and I want to give it the best chance to work, seeing that it's the source of my stress. It would be nice if I could just sleep in in the morning however I can't. I have a busy job which isn't very forgiving if you come to work after having no sleep.

Has anyone else experienced insomnia due to stress/anxiety around ttc? What should I do???? Do the counsellors at the fertility clinics help with this stuff?

thanks for your time!