I'm pregnant (8months) and of course that means its harder to sleep, but I was wondering if there are any methods to help you sleep like the warm milk thing. I can't drink warm milk it makes me sick but something similar. Don't say sex, I'm not allowed- Doc's orders cause I keep going into preterm labor. I just want to be able to go to bed at the same time as my husband and not end up staring at the wall for 6 hrs before I finally dose off, this has been the norm lately. We don't go to bed without each other and he is in the Army so he has to get up early everymorning and bed time is our together time lately since he is getting ready for Iraq. Please help I'm so tired of sleepless nights and I don't want to drug myself cause of the baby.
2006-09-08 16:47:40 · 26 answers · asked by ldcirkles 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I am an insomniac so I know a few things about sleeping problems. Try Sleepy Time Tea, one of my doctors recommend it. Medications and supplements may cause problems so check with your doctor before trying anything. Melatoin should be safe since it is a natural hormone produced by your body, but I am not carrying a child so I can't be positive it will be good for the baby.
However, I do have some tips: possible Medications, and good sleep hygiene techniques.
When you go to sleep make sure you do it in a dark room, a room that should only be used for sleeping, pull the TV out. Make sure it is a relaxing place to sleep as well. Hold off on any caffeine at least 6 hours before bed, and the exercise as well. One-half hour before you go to bed dim the lights a little, this will increase the body’s natural production of a sleep hormone called Melatoin. A glass of warm milk will do the same. When you go to bed compose yourself for sleep, relax and push out all thoughts of the day. If you cannot do this then think of something else, something that you like, even a sexual fantasy. If you don’t fall asleep in 20 minutes then get out of bed. Then do something quiet, like watch the TV on low volume or read, but don’t do this in the bedroom. After 20 minutes try to go back to sleep again. If it still doesn’t work then get up and do something quiet, and try it again in 20 minutes.
I run a fan all night in my bedroom. The mind gets used to the white noise, and it covers up the noise around you. Don’t put the fan on oscillate, where it blows over you and then elsewhere, that will distract you. If it gets too cold then point the fan into a corner. I have blocked my shade with a few posters, and made sure that as little light as possible enters my room. Put your alarm clock where you cannot see it, or just turn it away. If you track time then you will only get mad at yourself for not falling asleep. You might try playing some music, use a CD, not a radio. You want a constant level of music. Try something soothing like easy listening or classical. If classical music bores you then that would be the best to use.
If all this doesn’t work then you need more help. The sleep medications that you can buy over the counter are really a sham, and won’t do you any good. You can pick up Melatoin in the drug store or any major supermarket. It is fairly cheap and comes in 1 mg to 3 mg doses. Start at 1 mg a night and work your way up to a maximum of 4 mg, after that any more is a waste.
The prescription medication Trazodone is fairly safe, but check with a doctor first. Your best bet is to stick with Melatoin and good sleep hygiene.
2006-09-12 12:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say when he gets up, you get up too and stay up. Try to stay active all day and don't nap. This way when it comes time for bed again you'll be tired enough to fall asleep more quickly. If I slept until I woke up and then was expected to go to bed early I'd lay there awake for hours too.
If you're already doing this, then just wait it out because once baby comes your sleeping schedule will be thrown off again anyway.
Alternatively if you just can't seem to get to sleep no matter how active you are and you're getting up when he does, then you could try having your together time at bed time and then once he falls asleep you can get up and do something.
Tips on getting to sleep without drugs:Listen to music with headphones or watch a show on tv with headphones...watching a show always works for me.
2006-09-08 16:59:06 · answer #2 · answered by Christine B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Staying awake is usually the result of some kind of stimulus that is keeping your brain active. That's why people keep telling you that it's the t.v. or computer. It may also be because you're worried about something or you have a lot on your mind. Sometimes, doing physical activity within 5 hours of going to bed can keep you up. Try relaxing before you go to bed. Read a book, work on a puzzle, do homework, or listen to calm music. That may help.
2016-03-17 10:49:55 · answer #3 · answered by Marie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Avoiding caffeine was a big help for me. Also, try going to bed at the same time each night and try not to nap during the day. If you go to bed and cannot fall asleep quickly, get up for 20-30 minutes. I usually go watch TV or read a book. Something quiet to take your mind off not being able to sleep. When things got really bad, I would watch the home shopping channels. They usually bored me to sleep.
2006-09-08 16:56:10 · answer #4 · answered by Pauleen M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
For me sleeping in a certain position works best....kinda on my belly but propped with a bent leg. It's the only time my baby is calm...I am 39 weeks...the only time I can't sleep is if I have to pee! Which is at least every 2 hours depending on how much I had to drink!! Well it's either because I have to pee or my husband is snoring too loudly! Which it has an attendency to be my husbands snore more then the pee!!!
2006-09-08 16:52:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I found that I was really sensitive to temperature: too hot (most of the time) or too cold (rarely) and I couldn't sleep a wink.
I was also really uncomfortable, and a body pillow helped. I could wrap myself around it or fold it up or wedge it under me to take the pressure off some body parts or support others.
2006-09-08 16:59:35 · answer #6 · answered by Yarro Pilz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Okay this is going to sound strange but I had the same problem.. I was uncomfortable and restless..so trust me.
Buy a nursing pillow (like a boppy) is you haven't got one already. and put it behind your back and than you have back support and support on both sides of your belly..
I couldn't sleep through the night at all now I sleep like a rock.
2006-09-08 16:55:52 · answer #7 · answered by ashez 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are 8 months pregnant...take my word for it and sleep all you can! You do not have to stick to your husbands schedule if he is a caring father-to-be! You wanna clean house and paint the nursery at 3 am??? GO FOR IT! Want to sleep all afternoon???? COOOL! Put out the "Do Not Disturb"...unplug the phone and SLEEP! This is your last chance for at least 4 months so get all the rest and SLEEP you can get!
2006-09-08 16:54:23 · answer #8 · answered by newsgirlinos2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ok i am not pregnat but what may help is by cuddaling with you husband kiss hug do something thats romantic maybe that will help. also what helps me fall asleep is read a book, your eyes will get tired and after youll want to sleep.
2006-09-08 16:51:27 · answer #9 · answered by panda2295 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The sound of rain always puts me to sleep. So when I really can't sleep I put on my CD and just let it play all night long.
2006-09-08 16:53:58 · answer #10 · answered by Lov'n IT! 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋