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!

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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.

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