thread: Insomnia anyone???

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Aug 2009
    Western Australia
    361

    Insomnia anyone???

    Is anyone else out there like me? I just can't seem to fall asleep at the moment. I'm so so tired, and yet can't sleep. Then once I fall asleep I wake up every hour or two and struggle to fall back asleep for at least another hour! I also suffer awful heartburn which sometimes wakes me up with vomit in my throat, so nice hey?

    At least DH is on holidays now & I got to sleep in til 8am yesterday and 9am today! Talk about a miracle, especially with our 2 young boys running around!

    Does anyone have any tips on falling asleep? I've tried a hot milo (can't do plain milk), warm showers, making DH massage my feet, relaxation exercise (tensing then relaxing muscles from toes slowly up to the face)... nothing helps. HELP?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    May 2008
    North Queensland
    26

    I am going through the same thing at the moment, I cannot sleep for more than 2-3 hours, it is impossible, and quite frankly getting a little irritating. I honestly can't give you any suggestions sorry because nothing is working for me either. I am 37 1/2 weeks and afraid that I'll go into labour and just not have the physical strength to get through it on my own. I have sleeps during the day, I know it sounds stupid because then your less tired for night, but I found my sleeping at night is ruined regardless. I sleep for about 2 hours in the afternoon, do what I can at night (which is quite often less then 5 hours) and then that gives me enough energy to struggle through to the next afternoon.
    It sucks - I can only sympathise with you sorry. I wish I knew what to do about it. But you're not alone if that is any comfort!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Hi

    Wouldn't quite say that I've had insomnia however have had several nights where I've just laid there feeling really really tired but mind in the state that means you just can't fall back to sleep. So far have resisted actually getting out of bed just lying there - on the basis that resting must be better than nothing .

    Friend of mine suffered from the same and she used to get up watch some TV and then come back to bed as she felt the brain tiredness return.

    Only other thing I could suggest would be listening to some very relaxing music on ipod which might help lull you to sleep perhaps?

    I guess as the birth approaches our brains have some much they are trying to process dealing with concerns regarding how the birth will go, how we will be as mothers etc it can be working overtime - even though we may not be aware of it.

    Hope the music suggestion works.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Add ElleJay on Facebook Follow ElleJay On Twitter

    Jun 2007
    Western Australia
    6,587

    I'm going through something similar - I find it easy to fall asleep, but I'm awake around every 45minutes to 2 hours, and struggle to get back to sleep for about 15 minutes, then it happens all over again!
    I hope things work out for you

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Aug 2009
    Western Australia
    361

    Music idea sounds good... I'll give that a try tonight. I used to think that this was my body's way of preparing me for those first few mad weeks of newborn life where you're up every 2-3hrs for an hour or so... but having two little ones at home, it's just exhausting - really, do I need the practice?

    Ok... only 3 more nights to go anyway!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Northern Beaches Sydney
    533

    Hope it works .... best of luck for the 21st

  7. #7
    Registered User

    May 2009
    S.E 'burbs, Melb
    46

    This is going to sound totally left of centre but I read about it once when I was going through a bout of insomnia, gave it a try and it worked a treat, so I now use it every time I get a bout of it, which isnt that often these days!!

    Using the tip of your tongue, press it as hard as you can against the back of your top teeth, and hold it there for about 30secs to a minute (for as long as you can bear it because, like tensing up any other muscle, it does tend to hurt a little), but I have found that it does tend to make you sleepy.....if you need to repeat it then do it, but I have found that once is usually enough.

    I dunno the mechanics of it, or how it causes sleepiness, but I find it does work and feedback Ive had from others Ive suggested it to seems to be that it works for them...give it a shot and see how you go.

    Theres also lavender, popping a little lavender oil near where you sleep can help (I wouldnt put it straight onto your pillow though because it can be a bit overwhelming, plus I have found that it does stain)....also warm milk.....apparently when it is warmed it changes its constitution and has a sedative effect, which is why its recommended for insomnia.

    Good luck and I hope you get a good nights rest soon

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Sydney, Australia
    53

    yep.. i'm not sleeping either.. well not at night anyways. I have never been a great sleeper, but in this last trimester i can't get to sleep or stay asleep.. i reckon i am averaging 3 hours per night and am looking forward to quitting work next week so that i can relax more during the day. Another thing is the nightmares.. i have had the worst nightmares that are so realistic i actually have to call people in the morning to find out if these things really happened because i can't distinguish between the dream and reality... maybe anxiety is playing a big part?

    i figure it is probably just my body getting into a routine for night feeds?! maybe that is me just trying to rationalise it.

    i do find that i can sleep for 1-2 hours in the late morning if i have a day off, and again in the late arvo around 5 pm.

    i can't really suggest any great tips though... everything sounds good like lavendar oil, warm milk, sleeping on a few extra pillows to reduce heartburn, reading a book to tire you out etc i just find none of it works. i just try not to work myself up about not being able to sleep.. so even if i am just 'resting' it is better than nothing.

    hope u find a solution to your sleepless nights and please, let me know if you do.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Cowra, NSW
    409

    my fiance suffers from insomnia, its really bad, i usually hit the pillow and im out like a light, He has suggested trying sleeping pills, but im not sure if these are safe for you being pregnant...maybe see ur doc

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Add ~Serenity~ on Facebook

    Dec 2008
    Perth
    2,030

    I've been having this problem for about a month now and if it's not me waking up on my own it's one/two of three kids or the pain from spd when I move as I tend to move alot...gonna try that young thing I have noticed that milk has been giving me a bad tummy

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Newcastle, NSW
    347

    I'm a bit the same and it is awful - how are we meant to function when we aren't getting any sleep? How are we meant to grow big healthy babies when we aren't getting any sleep! I find that I am sleeping much lighter these days so I tend to hear everything, and DH snores so listening to that all night while I can't sleep is really not good for our relationship!!

    When the insomnia is really bad I find there is nothing I can do but I try to prevent it by sleeping in the spare room where there are less noises and no snoring DH next to me! Usually i sleep better on my own these days but at the same time I don't particularly enjoying not sleeping with my DH..... what do you do?!! We recently went away and stayed in a hotel - only one bed! I had to take ear plugs!! It is so depressing.

    I hope your insomnia eases soon. I too worry that if it keeps up I wont have the energy for labour but I'm hoping adrenalin takes over to get me through.

    Fi

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    south brisbane
    234

    im with you girls here.. this is sooo rare for me to be experience this as i usually hit the sack straight away no probs last nit i barel had 4 hrs straight and yep im buggered no nap for me though... kids...

    almost like i cant sleep cause of things running around my head,,, keeping me awake , oh and the uncomfortable feelings ... arent a help

    im extremely worried how im going to get through the birth feeling this tired...

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Nov 2006
    Melbourne
    832

    It's like you are in my mind - it's exactly what is happening and soooo frustrating!!

    Last night I stayed up cleaning, having a bath and reading so I could be REALLY tired (I was already dead tired) and I still couldn't sleep for another 1 1/2 hours! Grrrr

    I have NO solutions but lots of sympathy!

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Apr 2009
    Cowra, NSW
    409

    Ive been having a terrible sleep lately, keep waking up every hour, or laying there wide awake listening to every sound i hear.
    And to top it all off, now we have a massive rat in our roof.....JOY