Any tips on how to get sleep

rachelparlberg · August 2015

31 weeks and having so much trouble sleeping. If it's not getting up to use the bathroom every 30 min it's heartburn and cramping.

Any helpful tips ? I'm desperate to get some sleep

alinic916 · August 2015

If you find any, let the rest of us know!! We are all right there with you with lack of sleep. It's miserable!!

kathyxoxo · August 2015

Yes we are all there

blsav23 · August 2015

I actually dread bedtime right now bc I know it'll be nothing but tossing, turning & worrying about not sleeping. I have found that Benadryl helps a bit but I try to not take it too often. Also, I invested in a Posturpedic cooling pillow from Kohl's that seems to help with the reflux (it keeps my head a little higher).

elmann1 · August 2015

I"ve already accepted that I wont be getting any sleep before baby comes and definitely not after. But to make it manageable, firstly you just have to accept it. Then, I found that when I read in bed, I can read for an hour to so but eventually it makes my eyes droopy and I always manage to sleep afterwards. But then I get up to wee and I have to start over lol but reading knocks me out for sure. Probably not for everyone but the main thing is to accept that you wont be well rested.

McRad · August 2015

The only relief I've found with reflux at bedtime is proping myself up more. I've also started taking baths at night to help me calm down and relax.
They don't really ever do the trick of pre pregnancy sleep but I've noticed the baths just help me calm down and not have to carry the weight for a short period of time.
Almost there. Sleepless nights now to help us all care for baby at night. But it is tiresome. Very tiresome. And then the tears start rolling cause you're so tired and emotional. Or is that just me....?

alisalmieri · August 2015

I listen to a sleep meditation (on YouTube) before I go to sleep or use a sound machine on some nights. Although sleep is really uncomfortable at this stage it helps my mind to relax.

alinic916 · August 2015

I second @elmann1. Reading before bed helps a lot. My biggest problem is when I wake up during the night I have such a hard time getting comfortable again and falling back asleep. My eyes are usually so sleepy that it's hard to read at 2 am, but I just can't fall back asleep!

Knottie16288692 · August 2015

I hear a lot about sleep deprivation but really haven't had a rough go at that part yet! I'll have to get up and pee at 1 am every night but other then that... I try not to drink or eat anything after 8. I take a bath in lavender scented Epsom salt mostly to relax my hips from sitting in a desk chair all day. The lavender has a calming effect and my eyes get really droopy after a while lol I try to keep my meals light at night so that I don't have that full tummy feeling that makes lying down miserable. If I eat something with any seasoning I'll take a Zantac thirty minutes before and I wont have heart burn. I sleep with a body pillow between my knees and under my belly. I limit nap times and I'll usually relax with Netflix or a book before I take my bath to clear my head. Once I'm asleep there is no waking me up! A friend of mines doctor prescribed her something to sleep while she was pregnant because she had bad anxiety... its worth mentioning to your ob if you want to get a good solids nights rest.

Littlehummingbird · August 2015

I got a prescription for Zantac from my midwife and it's a lifesaver! I read before bed and sleep with a bumpnest. Those help, but I still have some restless nights.

MamaOwl15 · August 2015

Here's my tip:
Have the baby. You'll sleep soo much better, even in 2-hour increments.

Actually, when I was pregnant with DS and had really bad reflux, I slept on the couch with pillows under my back and under my legs and feet, so my body was in a "V." This helped with my swelling some, too.

This time around, it's less physical pain and more my brain not letting me fall asleep again between bathroom trips, so I'm at a loss.

leighann1 · August 2015

I've been sleeping much better since I finally broke down and bought a Snoogle. I make sure not to eat too much within an hour or so before bed, because then I just lay there feeling like food is stuck in my throat.

Benadryl/Unisom is safe to take during pregnancy, unless you have any risk factors I would imagine. It's on the safe list from my doctor, though They both have the same active ingredients. I've done that a few times. A small glass of milk or chamomile tea helps me sometimes too.

With heartburn, propping up as others have said. If it's really bad, you should start taking something like Tums or Zantac.

mommy_wife_nurse · August 2015

Try a bath every night, it has helped tremendously! And weekly chiropractor adjustments... Lavender, Balance, and Serenity oil from dōTERRA to relax... Digestzen or peppermint oil to help with the reflux and heartburn. Good luck mamas!

If you try nothing else, please see your chiropractor, it will make a world of a difference.

bucher1s · August 2015

I take Tylenol PM per my doctors reassurance it's ok

Sweet Sadie Mae · August 2015

Here's my routine that's worked so far (I still wake up to pee but only three times a night compared to every hour). Drink a ton of water throughout the day. Try to eat and drink less after seven pm. I'll still have some water and maybe some fruit if I'm hungry. I tale cal/mag to help with my restless legs and one benadryl if I'm itching really bad. I pour a warm bath with Epsom salts and lavendar essential oil and soak for about 30 mins. I try to go right to bed after that so no iPad or TV. I use a snoogle to prop my pregnant self and I've been sleeping much more blissfully than with my first.

sdnyc99 · August 2015

I have no problem falling asleep. My problem is with staying asleep, especially since I'm uncomfortable sleeping on my sides or too flat on my back. So I flip between my right & left sides, and of course rolling over is a huge production nowadays and I wake up. Add to that the fact that I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands now, so they go tingly eventually numb when I'm on my sides. I do have a snoogle, which helps some but not a ton.

My best sleep comes when I give up and go sleep in the rocker-recliner in the living room.

EllieB82 · August 2015

I haven't slep in our bed for almost 2 weeks now. Between low back pain or heartburn I'm most comfortable in the recliner. I miss my bed but I would only be in there for an hour before something would interrupt my sleep - then I worry about waking up hubby with my turning!

maiatene · August 2015

I recommend ginger tea (ginger anything really) for heartburn. It used to feel like my chest was on fire but I drink 2 cups a day and now I feel nothing.

Can't really help with sleep... even when I get up to pee every hour I manage to go back rather quickly. I don't turn on any lights, try to make it as fast and uneventful as possible, and lay back into the position I woke up in. Nothing scientific but it works for me *kanye shrug*

jennifer479 · August 2015

@McRad, not just you. I also cry sometimes due to hormones and exhaustion when I can't get back to sleep at night (like now- 530am!) yesterday I got the pertussis shot and it hurts to lay on my left side/arm so my usual tossing and turning from side to side isn't working. Not sure how fresh I'll be for our all day newborn care/birth prep class tomorrow (today), ha

christina4436 · August 2015

Wait 3 years :-p sorry had to

kim1228 · August 2015

My dr recommended Unisom...I take it every night its the best!

ameares721 · August 2015

Tart cherry juice! I'm surprise no one mentioned this natural remedy yet!

https://www.prevention.com/health/sleep-energy/tart-cherry-juice-increases-sleep-time

LATXwoman · August 2015

A magnesium supplement is another natural remedy comes highly recommended from a few ladies in my prenatal yoga class, but I have yet to try as I just got on insomnia train a few nights ago. Magnesium is important for your baby, so you're not going to hurt anything by taking an additional supplement for sleeping (unless you have an addiction to pumpkin seeds or another high-magnesium food!). Bonus: it helps with leg cramps, restless leg syndrome and braxton-hicks. You can take an OTC supplement about an hour before bed. But don't take my word for it! Ask your OBGYN office their opinion. I will say the women I know who take one swear by it.

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