Community› The Bump Month Clubs› January 2016 Moms
January 2016 Moms
New Discussion

Melatonin and pregnancy?

BethP321BethP321 member
edited July 2015 in January 2016 Moms
My boyfriend and I are now on the same sleeping schedule because of our jobs and he goes to bed at 8pm with the help of taking melatonin. I have been avoiding taking anything, even Tylenol in this pregnancy, so I don't feel the need to start now. He says that I should take it, even though I have refused many many times and I know it's a naturally occurring hormone produced in our bodies, but I am a first time mom and I don't feel how I feel about it. How many moms have taken melatonin during their pregnancies and delivered healthy babies? I want to ask my OB but I do not have my next appointment until end of July. Thank you
Report Reply to Post

Re: Melatonin and pregnancy?

  • emzie54emzie54 member
    I've read that 3mg or less is fine. I have taken it occasionally during this pregnancy. I think it is a great sleep aid!
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • kissmeimirish317kissmeimirish317 member
    My doctor told me it was fine. I take 3 mg.
    Report Reply
  • fghmama6701fghmama6701 member
    Shamelessly lurking from July '15... but if you're not comfortable taking melatonin, try dramamine. It's safe during pregnancy and helps me when I need a nudge to sleep :)
    Report Reply
  • BethP321BethP321 member
    Last night sucked.. falling asleep at 11pm and waking up at 4:30am. When I was younger I was perfectly fine on five hours of sleep, but I feel like a zombie. Hopefully I can survive until my next appointment before taking anything, but one small mg won't hurt. Thanks everyone.
    Report Reply
  • mrhargrmrhargr member
    You can always call your doctor and ask of you don't want to wait until your appointment.
    image
    Report Reply
  • jnconstantinjnconstantin member
    I am also a shameless lurker from Feb16 because I'm due so early in February that I think it could go either way... Anyhow, I am a FTM and this pregnancy was a complete surprise but a blessing none the less. I suffer from anxiety and panic disorder and was prescribed a small dose of anxiety medicine for the previous three years. Of course as soon as I found I was pregnant I contacted my doctor and began a taper immediately. He suggested taking melatonin at night to help me sleep and to help with my anxiety (since it mimics the body's natural calming chemicals) and after a few restless nights I took his advice. I even consulted my pharmacist when buying them. After taking it for a couple of nights, my fiancee woke me up panicking because he read in bold letters "DO NOT TAKE WHILE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING" on the back label of the bottle. After a sleepless night of worry and guilt, I spoke to my perinatalogist who told me it was "most likely safe" as no medicine or supplement is 100% safe during pregnancy. Am I still using melatonin as needed? Yes, But I am definitely more aware and usually seek more than one medical opinion about what to do and not to do during my pregnancy. This whole pregnancy thing is so confusing!
    Report Reply
  • mcrane8mcrane8 member
    I agree, I know a lot of people taking melatonin and Dramamine for sleep.  But your doctor may have additional suggestions.  Personally, warm water with honey and lemon helps chill me out.   
    Report Reply
  • daisiemay22daisiemay22 member
    I was told not to take melatonin but to take benadryl
    Report Reply
  • BethP321BethP321 member
    I read somewhere they only put the disclaimer on the bottle to avoid a lawsuit... but you can't believe everything you read on the internet. My doctor is not in the office like 3/5 weekdays so I can never get a hold of her on the phone.
    Report Reply
  • babybluubabybluu member
    edited July 2015
    I took Unisom which isn't as natural but that helped a lot

    Report Reply
  • jessielynn1jessielynn1 member
    I was also told not to take melatonin while pregnant. It is true that a lot of meds say don't take while pregnant or breastfeeding because no studies are done to prove wether it's safe or not. Reason being only way to find out what's safe from what's harmful is to get a whole lot of pregnant women to take it and see if it has an effect on the baby. And I'm sure no pregnant woman would want to be part of those studies.
    Report Reply
  • aleigh553aleigh553 member
    I called my doc last month to ask about taking melatonin to help me rest during a cross country red eye flight. My OB said he has several patients that take up to 9mg EVERY night to help them sleep. My usual pre-pregnancy dose was 3mg but I took only occasionally as I am on call for work often and can't afford to be groggy.

    Call your practitioner to see what their opinion is. Mine said there is just not enough reputable research to say it is safe or unsafe but feels that it is more than likely okay due to it being a hormone that naturally is produced in our bodies. Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • TinyDancer51510TinyDancer51510 member
    The pharmacist I asked said it was fine but check with your doc.
    Report Reply
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"