Having Trouble Sleeping, Need Advice

Updated on January 01, 2009
W.H. asks from Scurry, TX
18 answers

I am a little over 8 months pregnant and I've been having a very hard time sleeping. It is not a medical problem just the usual, baby taking all the room and I can't breath (lungs are crowded) and I am up peeing every 30 minutes all night long. Has anyone ever used the wedged shaped pillow under their tummy, and did it help with comfort at all? I've got a snuggly that wraps around and that helped out great with my first child, but it just isn't working good this time around. I have a coming 3 year old adorable little boy and I can't nap much during the day, so I've got to find some way to get my sleep at night. Any suggestions would be wonderful!!!!! Thank you very much

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I didn't use the wedge shaped pillow but did just use a regular pillow or a body pillow (which is a really long pillow) and just stuck it under my belly. This helped tremendously. Hope you get some sleep in the next few months...you'll need it.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.T.

answers from Dallas on

When I was 8 months pregnant with my second son a year ago I couldn't sleep either. My baby ended up weighing 9lbs. 13 oz. Maybe you have a big baby in there. I really don't have any advice except wait until he/she is born. Good luck and congrats!!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from Dallas on

I have no advice. Nothing helped me sleep towards the end. I had a 3 year old, when I was pregnant with my daughter and I worked full time. So sleep didn't exist with me. (Still doesn't) I just slept when I could. When my son naped on the weekends I would nap with him.
Congrats on your new baby!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.H.

answers from Dallas on

hahaha...i bought the wedge but my husband ended up using more than i did (between his legs)! i didn't sleep well, either...and it was really hard just trying to fall asleep in the first place. i'm not sure if there is much that you can do, but just know that there's only a month left and once your baby arrives you'll be sleeping all the time for at least the first week or two!! just remember to sleep when baby sleeps. :)

oh yeah...OCCASSIONALLY i would have a small glass of red wine before bed and it would sometimes help. and it's ok for baby, too...especially this late in pregnancy.

good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi W.. I am 9 months pregnant and having the same issue. I sleep maybe 2-3 hours on a good night. My mom is a retired OB nurse and she said insomnia is very common in the third trimester. There is little you can do other than some Tylenol PM but you don't really want to do that every night. You can try the traditional insomnia hints such as a hot bath before bed, tea and not napping during the day. I doubt with a 2 1/2 you do anyway because I have a 2 1/2 yr. old son also and I rarely nap in the day. I wish I had better advice but with having the same issue I don't. Good luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.A.

answers from Dallas on

W. you are far enough along that your doctor might prescribe you something? Mine did and so did my best friends doctor. The last month is awful and you are not comfortable at all. I know some moms will not agree that taking a sleep aid while pregnant is safe or even ok but sometimes the doctors knows just what to put you on to help? good luck!

K.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had problems with both of my pregnancies. Especially my second. I had an almost 3 year old at the time and was pregnant with twins. I was also working full time and helping take care of my mother who had been hospitalized with a heart problem and my father was out of the country. The only way that I could sleep for any amount of time was sitting in our recliner or proping myself up in our bed as if I was in a recliner. It was just easier to get out of the recliner than the bed. I figured this was a way to get me use to sleepless nights after the babies would be born. Congrats on your upcoming bundle of joy. I hope that you are able to find some relief before she arrives.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Dallas on

I had one of those little wedge pillows, and absolutely loved it. I was still up to use the bathroom half a dozen times a night, but at least I felt a little more comfortable while I was in bed. I tried putting a pillow between my knees too, but that just made my lower leg go numb. I also found that the more I moved (exercised.....elliptical machine, swimming, walking) during the day, the better I slept at night. I hope you are able to find some relief, and that hopefully you don't have too much longer left before you get to meet the little angel who is causing you so much grief now.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.N.

answers from Dallas on

Hi W.. I used the pregnancy wedge and it definitely helped. It is worth the $15!

Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Dallas on

I used a ton of pillows when I was pregnant. I used one between my knees, one under my belly, one to "hug" and one under my head. With my last pregnancy, I used the pillow that is shaped like a "C" and hugged and put it between my knees and under my belly and that helped. As for the peeing, that's just part of pregnancy.

With my 1st pregnancy, I used the breath right strips b/c I felt like I couldn't breathe well and that helped a TON!

I remember getting nervous towards the end thinking "If I can't sleep now,I know I won't be able to sleep after the baby comes!" Hang in there!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Dallas on

I'm very short waisted and I had to sleep in a recliner months 8 & 9 because my son was horizontal, right below my chest cavity. He weighed 8lbs 8oz at birth so he didn't have much room to play with (sort of speaking).

My suggestions would be 1) a recliner or 2) try elevating yourself by propping pillows all around your upper body in bed.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Dallas on

It sounds weird but try sitting up...in a sort of reclining position. I had a really hard time breathing with my 1st pregnancy and it would get worse when I laid down (apparently when I stretched out he stretched out LOL). I found that a more sitting position helped. Otherwise the wedge can't hurt!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I used pillows on my front, back and between my legs and wrist braces on my hands because of pregnancy induced carpal tunnel. Make a comfy place that supports every part of you that is uncomfortable. It's really hard to breathe sometimes... I know I had a 10/2 baby and an 8/12 baby. Try stretching up with your arms and deeply breathing with slow breaths before going to bed. That seemed to help sometimes too.

Try the best nutritional supplements around www.foley.usana.com My family uses them and they are in medical PDR so your doctor can check them out....

Congratulations on your new baby!!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from Lubbock on

Tylenol Pm is wonderful!!!I didnt know I could take it until I told my doctor that I was having trouble sleeping and that is what he reccomended to me.he sais it was completly safe for the baby.of course I would still call your doc and make sure it is in your stiuation.i just took one instead of two so that I wouldnt be completly zonked if I needed to get up for something.It was just enought to get me right off to sleep.Other than that nothing really helped me becuase I was so uncomfortable and even when i wasnt i couldnt turn off my mind.Good luck and just remeber it wont be very much longer until you have that precious baby in your arms and out of your belly!!In the words of Dory the fish just keep swiming, just keep swiming!!LOL!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Dallas on

I used the little wedge pillow when I was pregnant with our son and it worked!!! I couldn't have slept without it.

I also put a pillow between my legs and it helped ease the pain in my back.

Congratulations! It won't be long now!! :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.T.

answers from Lubbock on

Hi W.,

I used a body pillow between my legs. I would sleep on my side and change sides when I got up to go to the bathroom. I looked at the lack of sleep as God's way of preparing me for being up all hours with a new born.

As far as napping with a little one home too. Do you have family in town or a good friend who can take your son while you take a nap during the day. I would put in a movie and tell my little one "Mommy is tired but you can watch a video while Mommy rests". I stayed in the room but locked the doors so my little one could not roam the house.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Dallas on

I also found that I was more comfortable in a recliner. My doctor said to take a warm bath and drink a small glass of wine. That would help you relax and sleep better. He preferred wine to medications. I didn't do it every night, but the nights I did, it really helped.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.C.

answers from Dallas on

I didn't use a wedge when I was pregnant, but a long "green bean" as I liked to call it. It was a body pillow that was as long as my body. It was the only thing that could help me sleep. Although, there were some nights the "green bean" didn't even help. I think my best recommendation (this is what I did with my second pregnancy) is to enlist someone to take your little boy for two weekends in a row; or a few days in a row. I had my mom take my daughter whow was 17 months (I was 8 months pregnant) for two weekends so that I could get some rest before the baby was born (and do some things around the house). I was so happy that I did that!!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches