Sleeping Problems - San Antonio, TX

I personally had a lot of trouble sleeping throughout my pregnancy and the doctor told me it was absolutely normal. The first trimester and some of the second, i was extremely fatigue and lack of sleep did not help. All i have to say is that i does get better into the second trimester and part of the third. Then the last 8 weeks are really tiring because you get anxious. But believe me it is worth it, because in the end you get this beautiful baby. Try to hang in there and let others help you.

I had a really hard time sleeping when I was pregnant as well and my legs would cramp when I laid down. Talk with your doctor about it and see what they say. Mine let me take Tylenol PM everynight and it worked like a charm!

Good Luck!

I agree with Christy - it was definitely a stage. Hang in there a few more weeks, it will get better. Try to take a nap when you can in the meantime, or go to bed a few hours earlier.

I'm 19 weeks preggo with my second as well and had a TERRIBLE time sleeping between 10 and 16 weeks. Ask your doctor about it next time you are there, but my guess is that you will starting sleeping better in the next few weeks. This was totally different than my first pregnancy, but it's better now. I know it will get ugly again at the end, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

Massage research, and my personal experience of giving and receiving massage, shows that massage will promote sleep. I have seen it cure insomniacs! It is a chemical reaction, partially lowering stress hormones and elevating other brain chemicals. You can find the research on the web. Good luck & good night :)

First of all, welcome to motherhood!! You are probably thinking about too many things and just the stress of trying to sleep is making it worse. I remember when I went to bed, I would just pray to sleep soon because I had another little one who would wake up in the middle of the night. So, I couldn't sleep and I became extremely grumpy. Try some natural tea before going to sleep and maybe read a book to wind down and keep your mind on something else. Good luck!!

I had the same problem in my first trimeseter with my daughter. I tried all sorts of pregnancy pillows and none of them helped. One thing that did help was that I started using a leg/knee pillow. this helped with some of the pain and uncomfort in me hips which helped me sleep. My doctor also said I could take simply sleep or unisom. It's basically Tylonol PM without the Tylonol. I was nervous about taking something but it really helped. I was in school and needed the sleep. I also only had to take it for a couple months and not even every night. I insomnia did get better for me. Also NAP when your other one does it helps! Good luck!

Sometimes problems sleeping can be caused by an iron deficiency. Check with your care provider about your hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. You may need an iron supplement. Floradex is really great and does not constipate.

As well, try adding a multimineral in addition to your prenatal vitamin. This may help as well. Good luck!

V. Meinhardt, LM CPM
Wholistic Birthways Midwifery

had the same problem but was having work issues w/an exhusband/business partner, etc.,. anyhow, the doctor gave me sleeping pills - i freaked thinking there is no way i'm going to introduce a chemical substance into my body for my baby to injest. so, got my ex to give me some slack with work but also, i began to:

1. watch the morning sun (not directly of course) as it was coming up - may get the "body clock" going;

2. interchange walking, yoga and exercise using videotapes for pregnancy for the latter two;

3. pray during walking and meditate w/yoga;

4. watch the sun go down...again the "body clock" thing;

5. take very warm showers/baths before bed;

6. have my husband give me light massages where needed before my tightening/relaxing routine explained below;

7. do a tightening/relaxing routine in bed at bedtime with each body part beginning w/the toes then moving up to the next body part - toes, whole foot, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, buttocks, etc.,to the forehead. need to hold the tightness for several seconds then the relaxation for several seconds before moving to next body part.

Good Luck! My positive thoughts are with you.

Unfortunately, insomnia at this stage is not uncommon. My OB let me use Sonata and it worked like a charm. Nice thing is if you wake up at night, you can take another b/c the half life is so short.

Blessings~C.

Insomnia is not uncommon in pregnancy. The joke is it gets you ready for having a tiny baby that only lets you sleep two hours at a time.
You'll get through it because you have to!

A good friend of mine had the same problem. You should talk to your OB. My friends dr said it was due to hormones and prescribed her a sleep aide. It was the only way she could get to sleep. After delivering, her ability to sleep returned!

I was just recently pregnant and I remember those nights of waking up and not being able to fall asleep. It's so frustrating, because then you have a baby and they keep you up all night when you are SO exhausted that you could sleep soundly all night long! I told my doctor and she just told me to take some benadryl, which helped a little. My friend who is having her baby today was having a lot of trouble sleeping too, and her doctor prescribed her ambien, so it must be safe. Maybe your doctor could prescribe that for you, if it's bad enough. Good luck, hope you get some sleep!

Melanie, Acupuncture works great for sleep problems and can be done while you are pregnant.