How to get a good nights sleep?

By wheres_c Oct 4, 2012

I'm so tired and exhausted I'm ready to cry at my desk.
I really need some help getting a good night of sleep.

I've been going to bed early, but been having trouble falling asleep due to a racing mind, despite being extremely tired.

Once I fall asleep I wake up every hour, either because I'm uncomfortable, or to use the bathroom.

I've been trying to prop myself up with pillows, I bought a pregnancy pillow. Nothing is helping! I am so tired at work, I'm not sure how I can make it to 5pm.

Any tips? Please! I'm begging you!

You might also enjoy...

Tags: (no tags yet)

15 comments

wheres_c
pomelo / 5789 posts

Oct 4, 2012

Oh and I'm 30 weeks. 10 weeks left.
DillonLion
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts

Oct 4, 2012

http://www.ecomom.com/my-brest-friend-pregnancy-wedge.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=n&gclid=CJjszPeB6LICFYs7Mgod1x0AOA

I use something similar to this under my bump, and have three pillows under my head to help with heartburn. I do not use a snoogle or anything like that.

My sleep isn't great all the time, but that wedge pillow is AWESOME and definitely helps with comfort.

ETA: 33 weeks tomorrow
wheres_c
pomelo / 5789 posts

Oct 4, 2012

@highwire: I've been using the boppy version of the snoogle and it doesn't help.
I was skeptical of buying a wedge - in case that's a failed purchase too.
I looked up the wedge on Amazon though, and its only $15. Worth a shot. It will arrive Sat.
DillonLion
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts

Oct 4, 2012

@travelingbrit: Hope that helps!
Smurfette
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts

Oct 4, 2012

I am having the same issues. I was never a good sleeper but now it is worse. I am only 16 weeks but it has been like this since I found out I was pregnant. I just toss and turn all night. The doctor said that it is probably hormones. Honestly the only thing that helps me is tylenol pm. I take it a couple nights a week and they are the only nights I sleep good. I sleep with a pregnancy pillow my friend lend me. It helps some. I am scared how bad it is going to be once I start getting big.
littlecasita1122
persimmon / 1026 posts

Oct 4, 2012

I know it's not a solution to getting better sleep at night, but are you able to cat nap at work? I was so desperate a couple times, I went out to my car, cracked a window open and locked the doors, set my phone alarm for 25 minutes and dozed off. Granted it wasn't a deep sleep like I really needed but it got me through the rest of the afternoon.

I also stopped trying to drink anything after 6pm so my nightly trips to the bathroom weren't as many.
mrskc
bananas / 9357 posts

Oct 4, 2012

Sorry you're not getting great sleep. A pillow between my legs helps. I also find that writing out my thoughts before I got to bed helps with the mind racing or making a list. Also reading helps me unwind before I go to sleep.
JessiBee
kiwi / 733 posts

Oct 4, 2012

I hate to throw it out there, but I sleep better on nights I've either exercised or at least taken a decent walk. I feel plenty exhausted other times, but my best pregnancy sleep is on those nights!
immabeetoo
honeydew / 7687 posts

Oct 4, 2012

I have this wedge under my stomach http://www.amazon.com/DEX-Products-Pregnancy-Pillow-PP-01/dp/B000056JC1/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1349390316&sr=8-3&keywords=belly+wedge+pregnancy and then a regular body pillow, on top of a down comforter, with a down comforter crammed against my back. That helps me!

It also sounds counter intuitive, but I've found I sleep better if I go to bed an hour later lately. I find that I wake up every 4 hours, so if I time it to get 7 hours and wake up once I am much more rested than trying to get 8 and waking up twice.
MaisyMay
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts

Oct 4, 2012

My doctor told me to take benedryl. It helps me get to sleep and I usually stay asleep for about 6 hours, wake up for a few minutes, and can sleep for another 2 or so. It's totally safe during pregnancy and is actually the same sleep ingredient as in tylenol pm.
shopaholic
bananas / 9973 posts

Oct 4, 2012

Aww... though I don't work right now, I can totally feel your pain about not getting a good night's sleep. Good sleep has been terrible to come by!

Like @maisymay, I take Benedryl (or actually Chlor-Trimeton) for my severe allergies. Two of them knock me out and I get the longest periods of sleep on those days.

I also agree with @Jessibee - If I take a walk at night, I tend to sleep better and I like @LittleCasita's advice on an afternoon nap. I know a lot of women had to sneak off to the car or nursing room for a quick catnap at work.
wheres_c
pomelo / 5789 posts

Oct 4, 2012

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I *do* feel better if I take a walk usually....it's just been so hot in south florida, I haven't been able to. Now that it's cooling down, I will try to make more of an effort.

It's too hot at lunch to nap in the car. I tried to nap in a dark conference room today but couldn't get comfy. Maybe I'll take a travel pillow and see if that works.

I'd rather try and avoid meds if at all possible....usually I am not functional on Benadryl.

Hopefully the fact that I have a half day next wed will help. I'm leaving at 11 for my citizenship ceremony, then can go home and nap.

Hoping the wedge might help.
aprk
pomegranate / 3452 posts

Nov 5, 2012

My sleep has been crappy, but I just found this (old) video that shows some good tips on how to arrange pillows so formerly stomach and back sleepers can find some comfort: http://mymommymanual.com/19-weeks/
PurpleUnicorn
persimmon / 1035 posts

Nov 6, 2012

i just want to send my sympathies. i opened this thread because i have terrible sleep ALL the time! last time i was just awake from 2am-5am! I think i am going to take benadryl tonight. i've avoided it thus far, but considering i am due any day now, i just want a good nights sleep!

i also use a body pillow and a wedge pillow and they do help, but there are just some nights (no matter what i do), when i can't sleep

Another thing i tired and it worked a few times was i downloaded a sleep meditation app on my i phone and listened to it in bed with ear phones. I find it works when i am already tired and just need to calm my racing mind. (didn't work last night, but still worth a try as it works sometimes). The one i downloaded was a free app called "Sleep Easily"
sarac
pomelo / 5093 posts

Nov 6, 2012

Right towards the end I said to my midwife 'I just want the baby to be born so that I can get a good night's sleep'. She literally laughed out loud. I was kind of offended, but I get it now. This is a long shitty period of not enough sleep, and for me it's the suckiest part of parenting. I would absolutely try to cat nap in your car on lunch, or whatever. Whatever you have to do to cope.

	Today	Monthly Record
Topics	0	1
Posts	1	1

Hellobee Boards

How to get a good nights sleep?

You might also enjoy...

Reply

most popular tags

most recent archives

Recent Blog Posts

Recent Board Posts

Classifieds

Deals

Today's Leaders

Your Sleep

Today's Posts

Site Basics

Features

Series

The Team

More