Horrible Nightmares every night?

Question

I have been having horrible nightmares every night that are so realistic. Eaither they're about my hubby cheating on me with different people that I've known in the past, or that him and my 2 1/2 year old daughter are dead due to different situations in everydream. They are really disturbing to me, to the point that I sleep as little as possible. I am scared to go to sleep! And it used to be my favorit past time. :) Has anyone else had this happen to them before? Does anyone know how to stop it? I'm only 24 weeks along, and I'm hoping that there is some way to stop this so that I can sleep at least a little bit before the baby is born... :) Thanks, anything helps.

Answer 1

Each night our bodies go through a certain amount of REM (rapid eye movement) periods. During these REM cycles we are dreaming. The brain requires several of these every night. When we are sleep deprived (you mentioned that you have been sleeping very little), these REM periods over lap each other and cause vivid nightmares. My suggestion to you would be to try and sleep more. As you make up your sleep deficit, the dreams should subside. Clear your mind before you sleep. Perhaps meditate in bed to a relaxation cd. I've found that water sounds work well. Try not to dwell on the nightmares you've been having. Sometimes our waking thoughts influence our dreams and anticipating these might be adding to your problem. Good luck.

Answer 2

Aww... you poor thing! I've been told it's normal. I am only 16 weeks pregnant and I've been having bad dreams too. Every night too. I think it's the stress, and I found that if I watch some uplifitng TV, like maybe somthing funny like "the office" or a cartoon show like the simpsones or something before I go to bed it helps me too. Previously I was reading my pregnancy books before bed, and quite honestly I think that made it worse. Maybe just all of the "risks" with that certain week/ trimester I'm reading about at the time. Just try and relax. Have a good cuddle with the hubby before falling asleep and I think you'll be okay. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm 24 weeks too. The other night I dreamed my 4 yr old daughter died by falling off a cliff. Last night in my dream I was screaming at my mother to die, and she pulled a gun out of her pocket and shot me. I woke up sweating and crying both nights. It sucks, but it will get better after the baby is born. Remember that your subconcious plays out your worst fears during sleep b/c this helps keep you sane. It is necissary.

Answer 4

Oh my. It could be a side effect of pregnancy maybe? Or maybe the dreams mean something. Not necessarily that these things are true, but the fact that you know that these are things you don't want to happen. Maybe your concious or something is trying to get you over these fears. Have you talked to your husband about it? Or maybe your doctor? I hope you stop having these nightmares!

Answer 5

I have gotten that alot to with my first and my second who is due in July,, alot of dreams of my son dyeing because of me doing some thing neglectful or bad things from my past or my hubby cheating same thing the doc said it happens usually because of stress due to the pregnancy or just life in general. Just try to relax ...I haven't been sleeping due to it ,so I feel for you ...

Answer 6

I have also been dreaming like crazy! I had a dream the other night that a bunch of guys on motorbikes parked on my front lawn, broke into my house and started beating my husband and me. I am only 7 weeks...........i hope this stops!

Answer 7

They are horrible i had really bad dreams and i will be 14 weeks tomorrow. I heard if you take a warm bath at night and try not to eat so late at night it has worked for me

Answer 8

yeah, I have those dreams a lot too. In fact, when I was 7 weeks pregnant, my boyfriend was awake and it was 2:00am. I was having this terrible dream I was watching this man (who kidnapped me and a bunch of other girls in this dream) torture and kill them one by one...but of course, he wanted me to be last. JUST as he was coming over to me (and in my dream I had to watch him harm every other girl before me) I woke up freaking out. My boyfriend came to me and held me cause I started crying because I was so scared when I woke up. Hormones are the reason why, us pregnant women have horrible dreams and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about them. I'm sorry, it happens to me too,

Answer 9

Yes, it always helps with some good comedy on TV just before bed. And acctually I have heard if you dream that someone close to you dies then they will live a long and happy life.

:-)

Answer 10

Not to worry, it is only temporary, and there are things you can do.
http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20031107-000001.html

Also try not eating funky type foods right before retiring, or drinking, and you may want to try a sleeping pill (per your MD of course) to avoid sleep disturbance.