Severe Insomnia from pregnancy after long term TTC

[Lauz]

For the last 8 weeks I have been suffering from severe insomnia. I avg only 3 hours sleep a night.
I am pregnant after IVF and should be really happy and feeling in control of my life. However, I am not! The insomia has been caused by a MC I had Oct last year. The MC was from the very last frozen embryo we had in storage.
The insomnia started out from this but is now more a case of I am thinking I won't sleep and therefore I don't.
I have a 2.5 year old DD and am finding it hard to cope with looking after her.
I have tried CBT and behavioural therapy and I believe it made it worse. I am now trying hypnosis but is only at the early stages and has not made a difference yet.
My DH has been so good to us. He has been taking lots of time off work to drive me to places as I can't drive and has been very supportive.
We have decided to pack up everything and travel around Australia in a month camping.

I just needed to share my story with people as it may make me feel better.
I am also asking if there is anyone else out there who has experienced the same kind of thing and can tell me strategies they used to cope and if they were eventually cured.

Thanks

[toomanyshoes]

I can definitely relate, after having some m/c's I'm petrified when I see a BFP.

It's hard enough getting pregnant that you should be able to relax and enjoy it once it finally happens but instead you end up making yourself sick with worry.

I haven't found a way to cope yet but just wanted to give you a and let you know you aren't alone.

[Lauz]

Thanks toomanyshoes At least I know I am not alone. It is somewhat comforting.

[Lenny]

Pregnant after LTTTC is not the 'walk-in-the-park' that some people might think it is. "you should be happy" - you say that to yourself, but there are those niggles and fears and being pregnant doesn't make them go away. Now you aren't struggling with TTC of IVF and all the emotions and pain that brings, you realise that you have to redefine your journey now. You/DH/friends/family can all sympathise with your TTC struggles, but no-one seems to understand your lack of 'jumping for joy' now that you are pg.

But we get it. I've been there. I cried and bawled and struggled to be happy when i was pg with DS1 (i'd lost his twin at 8wks). I found some great comfort and advice from other pregnant after LTTTCers. You aren't alone and it's very very normal/common to feel like this.

I am glad your DH is helping and I hope the camping helps. Is there any sleeping medication that can be prescribed short term?

Take care of yourself

[BellyBelly]

Acupuncture is brilliant for insomnia.

[MummaSue]

Pregnant after LTTTC is not the 'walk-in-the-park' that some people might think it is. "you should be happy" - you say that to yourself, but there are those niggles and fears and being pregnant doesn't make them go away.

I agree. From the moment I got my IVF BFP my sleep went to the dogs. I was waking hourly and stressing in the middle of the night about things I couldn't do anything about, unfortunately that didn't go away and I actually get more sleep now that my DD is here and she still wakes 2 hourly!

Acupuncture is brilliant for insomnia.

I was going to suggest this actually, have you thought about acupuncture?? I got acupuncture all the way through my pregnancy and it certainly helped keep me calm.

Hugs

[Lauz]

Thanks Ladies
Yes I have tried acupuncture previously and it didn't really help much. This is why I am trying hypnosis now. I wish I could use the 2 in conjunction with each other however it is too expensive!

[JBM]

i had trouble sleeping while TTC and magnesium supplement prescribed by my naturopath helped. it takes a few days to build up in your system so i was on 2 a night for a week . it helped me to sleep but it was tough at first. good luck to you. x sticky vibes for this baby. good luck.