https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:20:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849521 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 16:59:59 +0000 Mama Bird 2849521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just came up with things I needed to do, as long as they weren't noisy. And then either I'd get up and do them, or I'd think of doing them, realize I'm actually pretty tired, and go back to sleep. Win-win. I put in a lot of work hours that way, started a nice quilt for DD, and once randomly mopped the floor the night before we unexpectedly had guests over.</p> <p>And sometimes I just wanted a snack or a cup of tea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849517 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 16:29:42 +0000 periwinklebee 2849517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@atoz: Relaxes muscles, which helps (at least for me) with sleep. I think it's similar to the supplement, but with oil (which is just dissolved epsom salts, not actually an oil) you don't have to worry about digestive side effects... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849515 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 16:27:24 +0000 atoz 2849515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: Bedtime snack does help, but I’m not necessarily hungry. Sometimes I do end up getting up and eating in the middle the night if I really can’t sleep!</p> <p>@MrsSCB: @BadgerMom: I might have to try that again. I used unisom at the beginning of my pregnancy for morning sickness, but found that if I didn’t get enough sleep it would leave me feeling dizzy the next morning.</p> <p> @periwinklebee: What does the magnesium oil do? I recently started taking a magnesium supplement for leg cramps, is it the same sort of thing? </p> <p>@pachamama: It’s the worst. And I totally agree with you about the exercise. I haven’t been good enough about following through with it, partly because I’m just so exhausted by the end of day! Catch 22. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849508 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:51:39 +0000 SweetiePie 2849508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: same. I took half a Benadryl pretty regularly third trimester. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849503 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:28:19 +0000 Mrs D 2849503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unisom sleep tabs...life saver... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849501 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 15:10:31 +0000 jennlin821 2849501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took Tylenol PM most nights, on a recommendation from my OB. </p> <p>I also listened to an audiobook to help me focus on something other than the fact that I was awake. I still use this now when I wake up in the middle of the night. I'm usually back asleep in 5 minutes, versus tossing/turning for another hour or longer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849500 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:58:03 +0000 MrsSCB 2849500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unisom was the only thing that helped :-/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849498 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:52:39 +0000 annem1990 2849498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you hungry? This happened to me and the only thing that would work is to go eat. I’d usually make a PB&amp;J before I went to bed and then ate it at like 2am :silly: I was usually able to go back to sleep immediately after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849497 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:51:29 +0000 Iced Tea 2849497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hypnobabies and progressive relaxation. Only way to pause my thoughts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849496 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:46:48 +0000 BadgerMom 2849496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Unisom or Benadryl before bed is the only sure-fire cure for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849495 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:34:59 +0000 lioneyes 2849495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>lavender oil sprayed on my pillow/sleep mask. and 1/2 a unisom before bed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849494 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:25:57 +0000 periwinklebee 2849494@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Magnesium oil or epsom salt bath... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849490 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:18:21 +0000 pachamama 2849490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Girl this is me!!! Im 26 weeks. I found mine was linked with some anxiety I've been having about taking leave from work. But ita very persistent so then I was thinking maybe it really is hormonal. I'm interested to see if anyone has any ideas because I'm really sick of being awake from 2 to 4am.<br /> one thing, I will be annoying and suggest exercise. I always sleep better when I exercise. Napping throws off my night sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pregnancy-insomnia-what-helped#post-2849485 Fri, 05 Oct 2018 14:01:52 +0000 atoz 2849485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm about 28 weeks pregnant and for the last few months have been struggling to sleep well. I go to bed exhausted around 8:30-9:30 PM and by 1AM, I wake up having to go to the bathroom. After that, I often struggle to fall back asleep. I'm either up for hours or I'm tossing and turning restlessly the remainder of the night. This is easily happening 4-5 nights a week.</p> <p>You guys, I'M EXHAUSTED. I have a toddler at home and WOH FT so napping is tough. I've tried cutting off electronics, doing yoga, taking a bath, limiting fluids, breathing exercises, etc. My husband is sleeping in another room to give me more space. Some of this helps sometimes, but not with any consistency.</p> <p>If you struggled with this, what did you do? I have a midwifery appointment coming up and at this point I'm open to considering any options that might help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798837 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:49:04 +0000 alphagam84 2798837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Take a Unisom! Totally safe during pregnancy and a complete sleep saver for me when I have pregnancy insomnia. It's the only way I'll sleep and the dr said it's fine to take every night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798802 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:32:07 +0000 periwinklebee 2798802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Magnesium oil - or a lukewarm bath in Epsom salts (which are the same thing) - works wonders for me, especially during pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798797 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:11:47 +0000 jennlin821 2798797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lamariniere: Try putting your phone under your pillow. I do this because I couldn't sleep with headphones in and DH can't hear my book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798707 Mon, 22 Jan 2018 01:20:25 +0000 lamariniere 2798707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sometimes happens to me and then I'll be awake for hours not able to go back to sleep. I try not to go on my phone and sometimes I manage to fall asleep by just laying still and letting my mind drift. Otherwise, I try meditation/breathing techniques. If those things don't work, then I'll go on my phone and try to read looooong articles that are slightly boring. I haven't tried listening to podcasts, because I don't usually keep headphones close to the bed, but I've definitely fallen asleep listening to them before, so I think it would be a good idea to try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798702 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:49:55 +0000 Eminthevalley 2798702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I listen to podcasts, usually about cooking. Nothing too exciting. It helps occupy my mind so I don’t worry about the sleep I’m losing. And I don’t have to turn on any lights. A 45-60 minute podcast is the perfect length for me. I’m the same, up around 3 most nights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798699 Sun, 21 Jan 2018 22:10:28 +0000 delight 2798699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always wake up around 3-4 and have a tough time getting back to sleep. I always switch rooms and go to the guest room so my tossing and turning doesn’t wake DH. Some nights just the change of bed helps. Sometimes I even make my way to the couch for a new environment. I often do deep breathing and some relaxation mantras I learned in prenatal yoga. If that fails then I just try to count in my head. Often though, I just end up lying there until the alarm goes off. So frustrating. I feel everyone’s pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798357 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 16:49:40 +0000 peaches1038 2798357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flip over in bed so that my head is at the opposite end where my feet were. It totally works </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798338 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 16:01:55 +0000 shabang 2798338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: @MamaCate: @jennlin821: @petitenoisette: @nana87: @DesertDreams88: Thanks all. Appreciate the commiseration and tips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798259 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:50:42 +0000 DesertDreams88 2798259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I usually get up, have a snack and some water and read the news on the ipad with a blue/white light filter app on, then go back to bed after about 45min - an hour. I think it's a "reset" like @MaryM: said. </p> <p>If this happens for 2-3 days in a row, I will take a Benadryl to help me sleep before going to bed, and that will knock me out well enough and help me re-establish better patterns. </p> <p>Also, no caffeine after about 7pm for me. It affects your body for up to 4 hours I read. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798254 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 12:15:15 +0000 nana87 2798254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had a doctor suggest melatonin, and when I've taken it I've noticed it definitely keeps me groggier/helps me fall back asleep and sleep deeper. I stopped taking it when I got pregnant, but maybe you can ask your ob if it'd be okay? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798248 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 11:57:13 +0000 petitenoisette 2798248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shabang: I feel you, having similar problems over here, also pregnant. These days I go to the bathroom, even if I don't feel like I have to go I feel like it helps, and if I am feeling hungry I get up and have a bowl of cereal. I had to do that a lot in the first trimester. I know phones aren't supposed to help but if I can't sleep if my mind is racing sometimes it does seem to sort of reset my thoughts and allow me to relax and sleep. A book would probably be better for this though! If it's really really bad, sometimes I will even take a benedryl, I think that probably helps more placebo-wise than anything but it does seem to help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798224 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 11:04:44 +0000 jennlin821 2798224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I listen to an audiobook! </p> <p>I use audible, and I use it to fall asleep every night, and if I wake up during the night. By putting my phone under my pillow I can hear the book but DH can't. There is a sleep timer, so it will shut off after a set time. </p> <p>I find this is better than TV, because there is no blue light keeping me awake. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798221 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 11:02:27 +0000 MamaCate 2798221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shabang: I have this problem from time to time but not a ton. Sometimes turning on a podcast on low volume gives my brain a low level of stimulation to distract itself from whatever I am ruminating on—but fluffy things, not politics. Sports is usually my go to.</p> <p>The other thing I had a supervisor suggest that I use from time to time is deep breathing and sending positive energy to people—so i think of someone I care about and try to send them positive or healing thoughts. A little out there but again helps me get out of my head. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798217 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:55:54 +0000 MaryM 2798217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I try to "reset" and see if that helps. </p> <p>I'll use the restroom, get a drink of water, and try going back to bed. If I can't get back to sleep, I try to think of something I can do in low light. At 2 a.m. this morning, I reorganized our medicine cabinet. We had a ton of lose receipts to file with taxes, so I put them all in a folder and put the pill bottles back into a basket neatly like they belong. </p> <p>Some nights I'll get up and read. I try to read an actual book if it's the middle of the night to avoid light from screens. </p> <p>Sometimes a snack will help - usually cereal (I'm in the third trimester and think sometimes, I'm just hungry) </p> <p>Sometimes nothing works and I just sit up until DH gets up to go to work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798212 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:46:52 +0000 shabang 2798212@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: List-making might actually really help me. That's a great suggestion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-do-you-do-when-you-cant-sleep-2#post-2798210 Fri, 19 Jan 2018 10:44:55 +0000 looch 2798210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had/have this issue, and what I noticed is that I have to adjust the time I go to bed. I tend to front load on sleep, and when I sleep too many hours, I have this problem. The magic number for me seems to be 9 hours of overnight sleep. 8 isn't enough and 10 is too much and causes these middle of the night wakeups for me.</p> <p>Also, I am a big fan of getting things out of my mind and onto a piece of paper. I keep a notebook of lists. </p>