Insomnia While Pregnant! PLEASE HELP!

Updated on June 26, 2010
A.C. asks from Atlanta, GA
7 answers

I have suffered from insomnia for years, but never has it been so uncontrollable as lately. I am about 30 weeks pregnant with my second, my first is nearly 17-months old. I spend all day chasing him around, and I'm exhausted. And I can't sleep. I can't sleep at night, I can't sleep during his naptime, and if by some miracle, I do get to sleep, anything that wakes me (including the baby, the dogs, or needing to pee) starts the cycle all over again. I am not being kept awake by anything - I don't feel stressed, the baby kicking doesn't bother me, but no matter how deeply I try to relax, I am unable to sink into sleep. I am going on over a week now without any improvement.

I have tried herbal tea, hot milk, a hot bath, a hot shower, reading before bed (and not), watching TV before bed (and not), meditation, listening to soothing music, Tylenol PM, and straight Benadryl. I spoke to my doctor, and she recommended I take Melatonin (which is how I cope with the insomnia when I am not pregnant), but I am very hesitant because my previous OB had said absolutely not, the bottle itself reads "Do not take while pregnant or breastfeeding" (instead of the usual, "consult a physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding"), and the Mayo Clinic also recommends against it. I am becoming snappish and weepy, and my already not-so-clean house is falling apart as every spare minute is spent trying to sleep. I also am not playing with my son as much as I would like because I cannot muster the patience and energy. This is starting to get in the way of my life. HELP!

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P.C.

answers from Spartanburg on

Lay in the bed and count from 300 back to zero. Repeat, if needed. Changes brain usage.
Sunshine, find a warm sunny place, like a cat or a dog would. It works.
Get your spouse to take your oldest to play somewhere for a long time.
Relax your inner guardian.
Go to your Mom's house and crawl in their bed. Or borrow her pillow. Scent can help relax.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

I've not been able to sleep well in years either.

The only thing my OB was comfortable with while pregnant was either Tylenol PM or Unisom - both of which have diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as the active ingredient.

I'd previously been on Ambien.

Here are the available Rx sleep aids and their corresponding pregnancy category designations from the FDA (B=OK, C=use with caution, X=do not use)
Ambien/Ambien CR: C
Sonata: C
Lunesta:
Rozerem: C

Some people swear by melatonin to help reset your circadian rhythms - I've had physicians (used to be a pharmaceutical representative, so I encountered many on a weekly basis) go both pro and con regarding its use and the OTC products available.
Here's an article from Massachusetts General Hospital regarding melatonin and insomnia during pregnancy:
http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/posts/melatonin-in-preg...

Do you think something like yoga would help? I've not personally tried it, but I know pregnancy yoga classes were really popular 3 years ago during my last pregnancy and may help you learn techniques to quiet your mind enough to get a little bit of decent sleep.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Albany on

I do NOT know if this is safe or not so it is absolutely something you need to talk to your OB about, but my cousin in law had the same trouble and her OB gave her a low dose of Ambien to take at night. If she didn't have it, she couldn't sleep. Now I mentioned that to a friend who is a sonographer and she was very surprised the doctor did that. Like I said, I have NO idea what pregnancy class the drug is but you could ask the doctor.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from New York on

When I was pregnant, when I had to get up to pee, i would try to walk almost with my eyes closed and wouldn't turn any lights on because if I woke up, I would not get back to sleep. (Prior to being preggo, I almost never had to get up to pee in the middle of the night)

One thing that used to work for me with insomnia (pregnant or not) was something I thought of as "shutting my inner eyelids or closing my eyes twice". It's hard to describe, but when you just lightly close your eyes, like you normally would to go to sleep, you're still very aware of all outside stimuli and your brain is still firing away. When I would more completely close my eyes, it seemed to block out more of the light (even in a fairly dark room), and to close some of my runaway thoughts as well, even if, like you, I had no stress or worry that I was dwelling on.

One thing you cannot allow yourself to do is to start making a list of all the things that need cleaning or that you'd like to do IF you got a full night sleep, just one idea will start a whole chain reaction that can keep you up for hours.

Try to get outside first thing in the morning, enjoy that bright morning sunlight, maybe it will help reset your clock and stimulate your body's own melatonin. Maybe you could use this time to play with your son, or go for a walk.

Try to get your husband to take full responsibility for the dogs, let him know that you CANNOT be woken up or you will NOT function, which won't be healthy for you, your son, or the baby. Let the house go!!! And definitely get your son outside to play at least once each day, that was the only way I could handle my daughter's energy level at that age.

Good luck! Insomnia is very frustrating, and being over-tired leads to more insomnia, it's a vicious cycle.

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S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Insomia can also be a sign of depression and hormone changes can cause it. You sound like your are felling overwhelmed either by lack of sleep or being overwhelmed is causing the lack of sleep. If you can, hire a responsible neighborhood teenager to come in an be a "mommy's helper". They can play with your son while you nap, help clean and straighten your house, etc. You need to get control of this now before your second comes. Try to get yourself and your son on a schedule NOW. Make sure you are eating healthy, exercising, and watching things like sugar and caffine. If you can go for a spa day and get a hotel room for the night (with or without your partner). It may be a recharge you need.Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from Columbus on

If your doctor recommended Melatonin, I would call and speak with your pharmacist about it. The pharmacist will be able to tell you if it has a pregnancy classification. She will also be able to tell you if she knows of other pregnant mothers who have been prescribed Melatonin and how it worked out for them. If that's what your doc recommends, check it out further. It may be okay.

I was going to say Benadryl, but it looks like you've already tried that. I got upto two benadryl about an hour and a half before bedtime. That finally gave me some relief. Good luck, I hope you can get some sleep :)

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

This is a very interesting article about insomnia:
http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=28

I do not have insomnia... but I take "Natural Calm" which is a soluable magnesium. Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3...

I take it for stress relief and it helps with sleep as well.

However, you are pregnant. And I would be very careful about what you intake. Which you know.
And always ask your OB/GYN, first.

Next, has your thyroid ever been checked?
Or have you had a blood screen?

Being pregnant, no doubt your hormones are also impacting your sleep. It did mine. And lack of sleep will also affect moods/patience and make one snappy. It is sleep deprivation.

Are you able to cat-nap at all? That could help. When I was pregnant myself, I would take cat naps. Anytime.

If you can... can you have your parents/family member/any in-laws come over during the day so you can have respite??? I'd say for 2 hours, would be good.
Just Tell them... what you are going through and that you need rest. Be honest... and others may be more prone to really coming over and so you can rest... .and babysit your child.
Don't suffer alone.
Tell your Hubby. I would think.. he can help doing household things for you. You are 30-weeks preggers... and he needs to pitch in. Does he even know how you are suffering and with insomnia AND being pregnant on top of that? Some "men" don't realize... unless their wives tell them. Otherwise they think everything is fine and dandy. I would think, by now and 30 weeks pregnant... HE can take care of the dogs and baby too. And other things. You need to take care...

Lack of sleep can also start to affect our reactions..ie: per safety and being alert. So take care... and in light of your having a 17 month old.

Can your Husband help in any way? Ask him. Maybe he can give you a massage before bed. Reflexology (foot massage) is great... also, gently in a circular pattern, using the finger tips to massage your face... the temples and around the eye bone... and forehead. It is very relaxing.

all the best,
Susan

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