Night owls: how to deal with insomnia? HELP.

new_ivf

So...I feel like the total anomaly here, but I cannot fall asleep until 2am these days.   Frustrating part is, i am actually really tired/exhausted during the day (especially afternoons) but I don't allow myself to nap, because it becomes even more impossible to fall asleep by 11pm. I get up at 8:30am and can't get myself out of bed earlier than that (not a morning person!) I exercise daily (walking/gym).

Prior to becoming pregnant, I had insomnia issues and would usually take a Sleep Support herbal remedy (combo of Valerian, Melatonin, Hops, Passionflower, Camomile) about 1 hour before bedtime - or if desperate, 1-2mgs of Lorazepam. These cannot be taken in pregnancy.

I've tried drinking several Camomile and Sleepytime herbal tea every evening and wind down with Yoga stretches, deep breathing, hypnosis recordings and this has not helped!! I also have warm milk sometimes...only 6 weeks along, and i can't take this for another 8 months!

GinnyJ2012

Try 1/2 of a unison tablet. It's safe during pregnancy and helps me a lot. 

lickastick

The supplement "calm" (magnesium) can help with sleep as well as "calm forte." Insomnia has been my worst pregnancy symptom by far. You can't expect them to replace lorazepam, but they help. I also love yoga nidra guided meditations, you listen to them in bed to help you get to sleep. Good luck. 

pettycrocker

I take Unisom and melatonin. I have severe insomnia when I'm not pregnant which I normally take prescriptions for, it gets worse when I'm pregnant, but Drs prefer I take OTC meds for it. 

splsmama2016

Ask your dr about low dose melatonin. There are some mess that when taken at a lower dose, they're ok.

new_ivf

Thanks all. I'll see what my doctor can recommend. Dr said to stay away from all melatonin (even lowest dose) because over time it disrupts your hormone levels.

splsmama2016

Just a heads up. Lol insomnia gets worse at the end. I do most of my posting here on TB at 2am lol.
Talk with your dr, or get a second opinion on your options. 

poetryandoceans

I've been having a ton of sleep issues too. Trouble falling asleep has always been a problem for me, and now my brain seems to think that 1 am is the perfect time to debate the merits of cloth diapering... But now my hormones seem to wake me up at 5 am, no matter when I fall asleep. My eyes spring open and I'm wide awake with the very first birds of the morning. Even though I'm exhausted. So frustrating! I think I need to just roll with the early morning waking, because I don't think melatonin or unisom will help that, but I need to find a way to fall asleep earlier!