Sleep

g8rmama_16

Has anyone been dealing with sleep issues? I usually fall asleep fine, but I often wake up a bunch in the night and then wake up for good at around 3 or 4. 
Also, when does our sleep position start to matter? For those who have done this before, do you sleep on your left side all the time? Or do you wait until your belly dictates how you sleep?

beforeyou

I fall asleep fine too but like you said I wake up a couple times a night and I've been having really crazy dreams so I feel like I'm restless when I wake up. I also can't sleep in anymore. Its a struggle to go back to sleep once I'm awake. 
I'm not sure when the position matters... I thought I read around 20 weeks at one point, but don't quote me on that. I'm trying to get use to sleeping on my side but I am more comfortable starting on my back and ending up on my stomach. I'm a little nervous for my future comfort once I get to the point where neither of those are options anymore. 

MrsDho11

I've been falling asleep easily and sleeping hard (both are unusual), but I usually wake up twice to pee, don't sleep well after the second wake up, and am up for good after 6-7 hours.  I usually require 8.5-9.5 hours of sleep, so I think this is contributing to the exhaustion.  I usually manage a nap though, which helps some.

g8rmama_16

See, when I nap, I have issues falling asleep at night. The last time I took a nap I was up until after midnight and then still woke up at 4. 

aquasocks

@HeyBooHey to answer your last question, last time I just slept however I could get comfortable, which was usually on my side and with (no joke) 5 pillows. One for my head, one for my belly, one between my knees, one wedged behind my back, and one to smack my snoring husband. 

yosemite2018

I normally sleep on my left side anyway, but sometimes on my back. I read that when you have a big bump you wouldn't even be able to roll over on your stomach so as long as you go to sleep on your side you should be fine. Also I plan to get a pregnancy pillow. I've been having trouble falling back asleep once I wake up (SO goes to the gym at 5am most days and I always wake up right before he leaves) which I am sure contributes to my exhaustion.

LikeICantEven

I used this one last time, it was a total game changer. It also transitioned into having a newborn and nursing/easing the pain of a sore  back, hips, supporting the big belly. Removable slip cover to wash.

You're welcome. 
Link: https://amzn.com/B018TU324I

MrsDho11

Oh yeah, @HeyBooHey - sleeping positions is a question I plan to ask at my first appointment, but I'm 90% sure it isn't for a while yet.  I'm pretty sure the issue is cutting off blood flow because baby is too big pressing on a vein, and baby is nowhere near that big yet.

NatashaSprout

My hands and feet keep falling asleep while I am sleeping and I keep waking up tingling. It's awful. No matter how I sleep. For the first 2 kids when sleep became a chore I started sleeping sitting up on the couch. 

hellopartyof5

I'm having major insomnia. I can't fall asleep. For your last question though, your body will wake you up if the position your in isn't good, so you don't really have to worry. Just sleep how you can. 

doraleigh35

I can fall right asleep, but I'm up multiple times a night between having to pee and crazy dreams. I'm a stomach sleeper and have been trying to get comfortable with sleeping on my side.

MissAmeliaPond

MrsDho11 said:

Oh yeah, @HeyBooHey - sleeping positions is a question I plan to ask at my first appointment, but I'm 90% sure it isn't for a while yet.  I'm pretty sure the issue is cutting off blood flow because baby is too big pressing on a vein, and baby is nowhere near that big yet.

The dad book DH is currently reading says at 4 months you need to switch to a side sleeping position (if you're a back sleeper) to get the weight off that vein (the name of the vein escapes me at the moment). 

NatashaSprout

MissAmeliaPond said:

MrsDho11 said:

Oh yeah, @HeyBooHey - sleeping positions is a question I plan to ask at my first appointment, but I'm 90% sure it isn't for a while yet.  I'm pretty sure the issue is cutting off blood flow because baby is too big pressing on a vein, and baby is nowhere near that big yet.

The dad book DH is currently reading says at 4 months you need to switch to a side sleeping position (if you're a back sleeper) to get the weight off that vein (the name of the vein escapes me at the moment). 

Inferior vena cava

virginiaham

2nd trimester is kindof the general guideline for ceasing flat back-lying.  If back is just more comfortable, it's ok to prop a pillow under one side of you so you're tilted, as long as you aren't having any symptoms.  We used foam wedges for our pregnant moms in the hospital.  It's the inferior vena cava that gets squished by the weight of the baby/uterus.  Blood goes through that and then directly to the heart, and if it's get cut off or decreased the heart has less to pump forward.

I'm never a back sleeper but that's the most comfortable position right now.  Back=nothing touching my boobs haha.  And I wake up SO sore when I'm laying on my side, mostly along my pelvic bones.  I can barely stand the pressure of anything remotely high-waisted around those bones.  I'm also waking up to pee now, and unless it's super early I have a hard time falling back asleep.  Yours truly is also in the 9ish hours requirement camp.  Naps have been a blessing!  H is figuring out stuff to do while I'm sleeping.

MrsDepo

I heard you can sleep however you want for the first trimester. I've been waking up in the middle of the night hungry, aching, and having to pee! Plus I'm sleeping many more hours than I usually need. 

hollowway

I'm a belly sleeper, so I sleep on my belly until I physically can't do it anymore... Then I'll sleep on my side. Right now I'm exhausted no matter how much sleep I get... and waking in the middle of the night to pee is really cutting into my sleep time. First tri is always exhausting... 

GreenEyedUnicorn

What is "sleep"?

g8rmama_16

GreenEyedUnicorn said:

What is "sleep"?

njmama722

Basically what everyone else says. Back sleeping is more of an issue in the late 2nd and 3rd trimesters and stomach sleeping is basically dictated by when you are no longer comfortable. I'm with you on the middle of the night waking and peeing a lot. I don't remember this being a problem for me until much later with DD! 

MrsDramaK

I have a hard time falling asleep at night since I ditched my Melatonin (studies haven't been done on it's effects on pregnancy, so better safe then sorry) and I'm trying to stay away from the sleepy time tea until I get my OBs OK, it takes me over an hour to fall asleep, however, I've been staying asleep ok so fingers crossed.

josiebegosie2002

What's sleep? I seem to remember something I did at night... Now I toss and turn 

BmcD2016

I'm a stomach sleeper so with my previous pregnancies, I'd end up in some half tummy- half left side sleeping position. We survived. 

this pregnancy I hope to get one of those body pillows as I remember my hips hurting so bad while sleeping. If I got too uncomfortable, I'd go lay in the recliner. 

abradetich

Ugh - I am with you! I'm exhausted all day, can't wait to go to bed, and then I toss and turn the whole night. I've tried melatonin and Tylenol PM. Nothing helps!  

njmama722

I get mixed opinions on Tylenol pm. Is it ok to take?

comealongponds

@njmama722 I'd think Tylenol PM would be fine...its just Tylenol + Benadryl. Always check with your OB/MD/midwife to be certain though. 

virginiaham

@njmama722 Tylenol and Benadryl (the ingredients in Tylenol PM) are usually allowed during pregnancy.  Both are pregnancy category B-no risks have been found in humans.  I would definitely consult your OB or midwife if you anticipate needing it any more frequently than every once in a while, especially if you're needing to take it every night.  I hope that helps and that you can get some sleep!

lilwonder

I have a super hard time falling asleep AND staying asleep in my first tri. I talked (at length) with my OB and she said I can take low-dose melatonin (I got the 1mg tabs from Whole Foods and I take 2 of them, max), or Benadryl. She didn't say that I couldn't take them every day, but for my own conscience, I've taken something maybe 2-3 times a week... it helps and we all need our rest while these little babies are growing! Our bodies are putting in some serious work! I'd talk to your OB and see what they say!

Jmccabe12210

More of the same here. Hard time falling asleep. Pregnancy pillow already purchased and on its way!! 

aquasocks

If you are taking Tylenol pm for sleep, it's better to just take Benadryl. The Acetaminophen isn't good for your liver and should only be taken when needed regardless of pregnancy or not. 

g8rmama_16

I am in a sleep death spiral...I couldn't sleep last night and today I took a MASSIVE nap on accident. Now I am screwed for tonight. Ugh.

mrsjlang

I just caved and bought a body pillow. Hoping for a successful night tonight. Fingers crossed. 

minipinky871

I'm 7 weeks tomorrow.  This is not my first rodeo. My symptoms are so exaggerated from before.  Maybe it's because I'm 28 and no longer 20.  As for sleep,  haha, whats that? I always sleep fabulous.Now,  I can't sleep on my stomach bc my boobs are too painful.  I can't get comfortable.  I drank a glass of water with dinner and I even peed before bed and I was up 5 times in the night to pee. I am constantly out of breath,  even in bed so I roll over and try to catch my breath. I am not that out of shape. I have such bad heartburn I wake up to take care of it,  ewwww and my sniffer wakes me up any time there is a funky smell in the night. I told my dh if this isn't twins then Idk I've done this twice before,  this is something else.  I just want sleep. 

rchef21

I was having issues sleeping and staying asleep as well.  My Dr. said I could take 1-2 tablets of Unisom.  It seems to help.... Something to ask your Dr. about.

CRJones1978

I'm trying to stay up later so that maybe I'll sleep through the night. NOPE. I'm getting up at least twice to pee and then I have trouble falling asleep again. I have to work all day so no napping here. You don't know how bad I want to close my door and take a 15 minute nap. I'm so tired I could sign out, go to my car and take a nap...before our afternoon meeting. WHY!!!! 

rooftop

I'm trying to keep on my back/stomach as long as possible this time around since when it starts to matter (when baby is big enough to put pressure on the vena cava) I would get dizzy and throw up when I was laid back. I had to switch it up because my hip would start to feel bruised on one side if I stayed on it too long.

Katemr1146

I completely forgot about the having to get up 5-6x a night to pee thing from last time. With a toddler up at 4:30...I'm too tired for this shit. 

Justpeachier13

Tylenol pm is on the approved list from my OB but I took 2 and no help! Unisom works better for me but I have more vivid dreams and night sweats when I take it. I ve taken ambien for a while but stopped with BFP. 

maggmagoo21

With my last pregnancy I had major insomnia through the first trimester.  I found it helped me to go out to our couch and basically cocoon myself with blankets and the couch cushions.  I would put on a movie I've seen a million times so I wouldn't have to pay attention to it and that helped me at least feel rested, even if I didn't get a lot of sleep.
Once my belly started to get bigger, I tried a pregnancy pillow and hated it. I just used an extra pillow we had an put it under by belly and between my legs.  I've become more of a back sleeper lately so am a bit worried about how that will go later on with this one.
I hope you're all able to find something that works for you and allows you to rest/sleep well and comfortably!

mrs_hoyahoo

Every night at 8:00:

g8rmama_16

I woke up like 12 times last night. Not to pee or anything, just because. 

whaat

Last night I went to bed at 8 but can never get a good night's sleep because my nightmare cat is always running around and screaming. We have a car door so they can go outside, but only the normal one goes outside to run around. The nightmare does it on the perimeter of our bed.