Yeah, it’s pretty obvious from my stellar posting history of the last couple of weeks that something’s up. And that something would be me — usually after about 3 or 4 hours of sleep (I got 6 last night, but that’s rare).
The problem is more than just annoying — after a year of an average of 5 hours of sleep, falling even farther off the sleep train is making me incredibly sluggish and far more depressed than I’d normally be at this stage of pregnancy. (The good news is that my morning sickness is getting manageable, so at least there’s that…) Edited to add: Um, when I say “far more depressed” I should give an example: Last week after about 3-4 hours of sleep a night and no napping to catch up, I was actually feeling borderline suicidal. All I could think was what a huge burden I am and how much better my husband and kids would be without me. In the cold light of day I know that’s not true, but at the time, things were looking awfully dark.
Sometimes I’m able to take a short nap in the afternoon, but my sleep debt is pretty big, so it doesn’t make a huge difference these days. My 14-month old is teething heavily, so she’s waking up a lot at night too. (We give her ibuprofen for the pain but as usual her urine gets really acidic when she’s teething so it irritates her little bottom terribly, even with Desitin slathered all over.)
Any suggestions on helping me catch some Zs?
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Tags: insomnia, Pregnancy, sleep problems
I’m guessing you’ve tried the usual remedies- warm (not hot) bath, similar bedtime routine every night, etc.
My non-pregnant remedies for myself: chamomile tea with honey and lavender body lotion. Both relax me. However, I’m not positive if these are safe during pregnancy, so please check before trying.
I have had depression caused by insomnia myself, so I can relate. I wish I had something more useful to say other than “hang in there”. I’m saying a little prayer for you right now!
Oh girl…I feel your pain. There is nothing like sleep deprivation. It stinks! You’re too tired to think straight…ie the crazy suicidal thoughts. NOT HEALTHY!!!
I had this when I was pregnant with my son (who’s 18 now). One thing I had to do was walk completely away from anything caffeine. COLD TURKEY! I didn’t drink anything that had caffeine in it and still don’t. It really did change the way I was feeling all the time.
Now….I have fibromyalgia today and sleep is one of my big problems. My doctor just prescribed me to take a child’s dose of Benadryl about an hour before I’m heading to bed. It has really helped me stay asleep when normally I toss and turn ….then wake up feeling like someone beat me up.
There are other ideas…..exercise really puts you in a healthy sleep mode. Don’t do it at bedtime of course…but sometime during your day… get jiggy and bust a move (maybe a brisk walk or a jog…maybe even a dance off).
It will help you tremendously.
I pray you sleep soon!
I totally feel your pain. I remember almost a year after our son was born collapsing into a crying, blubbering heap one day, trying to explain to my husband that only 5 hours of sleep a night was making me someone I didn’t want to be.
That being said, Melatonin was the best thing ever for me when it comes to insomnia. You’ll need to check with your doctor to see if it can be taken during pregnancy, but I don’t really know why it wouldn’t be ok. I could take it at bedtime if I couldn’t fall asleep or take it in the middle of the night if I was awake and couldn’t go back to sleep. No hangover, either.
Other than that, I’d suggest a few “vacation” nights. As much as you can, take a night off now and then (two in a row would be great!) and have your husband get up with the teething 14 month old. An uninterupted night of sleep would do you a world of good.
And don’t be afraid that he won’t be able to put her back to sleep. I’ve always gotten up with my son, but he was sick a while back and was up every 30 minutes. Two nights in a row, I sent my husband in and he put the boy to sleep and he SLEPT for hours at a time. Secret weapon and I didn’t even know it.
Oh, and try Boudreaux’s for the teething one’s bottom. That helps my son more than any other cream. And if you can, let her go naked for a while during the day to um, air things out. Or put a cloth diaper on or let her just wear some loose fitting pants. That will help more than you think!
You really should talk to your doctor about this. If you are having lots of suicidal thoughts, then you really might benefit from an antidepressant. There are several that are safe in pregnancy. A gentle sleep aid, like Ambien – is perfectly safe during pregnancy and may help you get some sleep enough to feel better. Do not just blow off depressive symptoms – and there is nothing wrong with asking for help.
I definitely echo the idea of getting exercise and cutting out caffeine.
I would say the biggest tip on getting sleep is take it where you can get it.
Let your husband take your kids for an entire day on Saturday and sleep.
Like someone else said there is NO shame in getting help. Do you have a church or community you can ask for help. Or maybe a minister you could talk to.That might help with the depression
If caffeine affects you than cut it out – it has no affect on me. I’m lucky like that. I would also eat bigger dinners because that will make you sleepy.
Also, just wanted to say thanks for all the help you gave over at my place. I appreciate it.
Please let your husband, other family members, doctor and her staff , your clergy, neighbors, know that your thoughts are leaning towards the suidical while in the ravages of sleep deprivation. This is a serious issue, don’t blow it off as just a bad night. You owe it to your children, those born and not yet, to take those thoughts seriously!
This is your cue that something is seriously wrong and needs attention.
I suffered from 3 bouts of post partum depression in addition to Seasonal Affective Disorder that hits me during the fall and winter months. Medication, bright light and the loving support of friends and family pulled me through my dark days, literally.
Let everyone know that you need help, ask someone to take your daughter for a couple of hours during the day so you can nap. Let your husband take every-other night waking duty. If you have relatives close by, ask if daughter can go for a sleep over at Gramma’s or Auntie’s house. Let it be known you need help!
I will be praying for you and yours!
Just chirpping in as a thought entered my head while reading the posts left by everyone and that was EAT TURKEY. A natural sleep inducer. You would probably have to eat a lot though. Sorry. I know when I went thru by bout of pregnancy insomnia I just had to tell myself i was just getting prepared to be up all night with a baby. Ugh. Praying for you.
I just learned to enjoy that time of being awake at night. I would get up, not turn on any light and just walk around or stretch and think and pray.
After 9 pregnancies, you would think that I would have better advice, but that is it.
I have heard that calcium deficiency can cause insomnia, but it didn’t help for me, who knows it’s worth a shot.
Blessings,
Kimberly
Oh, thanks for the amazing vacation link!
You are believing a lie that you are a burden – that is Satan out right wanting to destroy you. Remember, pregnancy and childrearing are God’s idea, and He will help you…but you are in a battle. Ask your husband to help you at night with your daughter, grab a nap whenever you can, and pray for strength and energy during your days. I just had a baby, so I KNOW how hard it is. This is NOT who you are and it will be over soon…you will feel better – just keep looking ahead and stay thankful for the little blessings you have been given. Praying for you friend!!!
Thanks so much. I am lucky to have a wonderful bible study on Thursday mornings with women who know my struggles and pray for me. Some have been through what I’m going through – the constant nausea, lack of sleep, thyroid issues… My husband helps immensely, but his job is also demanding at the moment, so it’s hard to make him do night duty as well (even though he does, often). Napping used to come easy but for some reason is a struggle now no matter how tired I am. I’m hanging in there, though! Thanks for the prayers.
I drink so much milk that I doubt I have a calcium deficiency but who knows? I’m switching a few things up in my diet and medication that I hope will work for me. 9 pregnancies — what a blessing!
Thanks, Karen, we have been doing all these suggestions lately. Mostly my problem is that no matter how tired I am I just can’t get to sleep, even with my kids being babysat. I think this is the worst, when I can arrange the circumstances to be as conducive as possible and yet still can’t sleep! It’s crazymaking. Sleep deprivation is literally torture.
Hi Aubrey, I do take Wellbutrin already, but I think something about my pregnancies seems to negate antidepressants and make my sleep mechanisms go haywire. I did get an Ambien prescription yesterday, so I’ll probably get it filled and take it once or twice a week (more frequently and my doctor says I can build up a tolerance to it). I’m hoping that with more sleep I’ll be able to exercise more, since on nights when I get 3-4 hours of sleep it’s just impossible to do.
I don’t. I just wanted you to know how sorry I am that you are feeling that way.
get outside as much as possible…the sunlight helps you sleep. Also, the usual, cut back on caffeine, dont eat before bed and exercise.