Sleep in Pregnancy
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Has anyone got a good advice regarding sleep in pregnancy? I was struggling with sleep as is. I got only few weeks left. And yesterday after visit to midwife, followed by extra scan I was told that my baby is rather big and got booked in for c section next week... I barely slept... I dont drink any coffee or caffeinated drinks at all. I dont eat before sleep... try to relax. I'm just very uncomfortable with my big bump. And now anxious too....
Here's some general good sleep advice that may help
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Get up at the same time every day, even on weekends or during vacations.
- Set a bedtime that is early enough for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep.
- Donโt go to bed unless you are sleepy.
- If you donโt fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed.
- Establish a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Use your bed only for sleep and sex.
- Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
- Limit exposure to bright light in the evenings.
- Turn off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Donโt eat a large meal before bedtime. If you are hungry at night, eat a light, healthy snack.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
- Avoid consuming caffeine in the late afternoon or evening.
- Avoid consuming alcohol before bedtime.
- Reduce your fluid intake before bedtime.
Source: http://sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits
Johnny thank you 
but it seems like I can't achieve number 1 already
I try to go to sleep at same time but lately I just dont feel sleepy...and my 7 yo sometimes wakes me up at 5am or 5:30 or 6... in fact yesterday he had few nightmares and then for me it takes hours for me to fall back to sleep...
BlueOrchid I would recommend lavender essential oil but Iโm not too sure if itโs safe but maybe try puka tea .
- Are Pukka teas safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding? In line with traditional use, we recommend that the Pukka Motherkind Pregnancy tea is consumed during the 2nd and 3rd trimester only. All other Pukka teas are considered safe to drink during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Lavander see oil info -
Sleeping tips and info (sorry gave you a bunch but didnโt know which article was the best for you)-
https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-life/sleep/10-pregnancy-sleep-tips/
https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/how-you-might-be-feeling/how-sleep-better-pregnancy-10-tips
martina65 thank you out of all that I havent tried lavender and hypnobirthing yet... hopefully that will help. I'll try it tonight 
Canโt offer any advice, but Iโm in the same boat! 35 weeks now and I have a couple of good nights sleep (where Iโm only up a few times for a wee or with horrendous heartburn) and then theres nights I can barely sleep even though Iโm exhausted 
I just keep thinking itโs preparing me for nights with a newborn 
good luck with your c section!
sarahgreen15 my older son was rather heavy too but it feels like this time is even worse.. my mattress is very good. A bit on a firm side and usually great but this time I just cant get comfortable... I got my special pillows and every night I have to turn on other side a lot waking myself up because it's not that easy but hey ho. I hope I wont drop before then though. Thank you fingers crossed everything will be pretty forward this time...
I struggled as had psd my pelvic was rubbing I put pillows between my legs and slept on side. Yep would wake up on my back and pain was so bad it would take at least 5 minutes to get up. A hot chocolate before bed helped but found warm bath made it worst.
Ann1984 I'm struggling to walk for same reason...or sit down or lay down I got pillow between my legs and one under my bump...and still have to turn around many times every night..I might try some hot chocolate 
BlueOrchid could you get hold of a belt
Swimming is a good exercise for spd but hard with the pandemic going on. I feel your pain has had it on 2 of mine and hurt so bad or other thing is use crutches to support yourself
Ann1984 I'm on second one bought one xl from figleaves but due to my bump being huge I had to buy another one now. Also I'm panicking if I'll overdo it with walking etc that it might bring on the labour...and with my hubby still working and my sons dad that would be stressful since everything is arranged for next week...
BlueOrchid understand you donโt wont to bring on labour but little exercise will help try and avoid stairs go up backwards on your bum. I would walk 4 miles a day with spd for school run and I found the walking helped it was when I would have to get up from chair or bed it would be bad. I done morning school run in labour as didnโt know I love giving birth. has your midwife helped by giving you gentle exercises to do. dont try going in bath with hubby at home to help you out
Ann1984 well for me walking is getting rather painful with him pressing on my pelvis so much...if I lay down it's not too bad. I did school run when I was pregnant with my first one too now I'm still on furlough and we did homeschooling all these long months...no she didnt give me anything. I'm too anxious that bath might bring on labour so I'm sticking to showers atm my first birth was scary emergency c section... this time its planned c section so I got nothing else to compare it to...
BlueOrchid please donโt worry about having a bath. If anything they help you relax and if you did have any little niggles they would probably be knocked off with a bath anyway. (I am a midwife and there is no evidence to support this, the only time we would say to avoid having baths would be if your waters had broken). The key to a rested sleep is to relax before getting in bed so a lovely candlelit bath with some relaxing music may help. Also donโt have too much expectation about going to sleep as this can raise cortisol levels the more anxious you become trying to focus on these expectations. Easy for us to say when weโre not in this situation. Good luck with everything, you will be well looked after
you can try to get special pillows that will make it more comfortable for you to sleep, something that will support you better
hspexy I already had 6 pillows I use a wedge one under my bump and a body pillow. Still I just cant seem to get comfy for long...I think I turn on other side every couple hours at night...
BlueOrchid thatโs probably the baby making you move so much. I know my mum said she never got a good nightโs rest when she was pregnant with me...and never got a moments peace the moment I was born! I hope you find a way to get some rest soon, as I know itโs something you need
hspexy thank you
i hope so too...he has long legs so I think he rams them in to the other side which starts aching after a bit so I need to roll over on other side and it definitely is worse at night I dont even want to go to sleep anymore because I dont feel rested afterwards. So then I get couple naps in the morning and then feel all out of sorts
I struggled to sleep during pregnancy from the start, it was good practice for my son who has always been a bad sleeper. I had a pregnancy pillow which was amazing and really helped me to be comfortable.
I had a c section with my son and was glad of it! Don't worry about the c section.
MrsCraig my firstborn isn't great sleeper either.. I feel you first time round I had v shaped pillow and it was great. Now I just cant get comfortable at all...its my second c section and last year I had very complicated miscarriage...so I'm anxious. And my hubby is too which makes it worse for me..
BlueOrchid towards the end I couldn't get comfortable no matter what! I had a horrendous labour, so I was glad of a c section! I can understand you being anxious, I had decided I only wanted one child and after what happened I am glad I made that decision. I'm sure everything will be fine, but I understand it will be tough to think that.
MrsCraig hes our little miracle... and might be last baby too especially since it seems that my kids are bound to be giants my 7yo is up to my shoulders already?!!
BlueOrchid our wee one is our miracle too. I'm only 5 foot 1 but my husband is 6 foot 2 and all his family are tall and it looks like our son will be too!
MrsCraig I'm 5 foot 3... his dad is 6 foot 2... I'm just thinking how I'll need to tell him off in few years when he will be taller than me and will tap me on the head instead ...
BlueOrchid I'm a teacher, one of the heads of departments is 5 foot 0, she is the scariest person in the school, all the kids are terrified of her. She just has to look at them and they know they are in trouble! Just need to perfect 'the look' or " wait till your dad hears about this". I actually use that one on the dog!
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