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Insomnia During Pregnancy
The Causes and the Cures of Insomnia
By Kelly Burgess
Insomnia is never a good thing, but when a woman is in the early stages of pregnancy, insomnia can make for long nights and tired days. In a recent poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 78 percent of women reported more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times. Sleep-related problems also became more prevalent as the women's pregnancies progressed.
Dr. Jill Powell, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health at St. Louis University School of Medicine, says she finds most sleep disturbances follow the pattern found in the NSF's poll. In other words, sleep problems can develop early on but usually aren't too bad and abate as the pregnancy progresses. Later, other issues can cause insomnia to reoccur.
The result is she may not be able to fall asleep that night, which then just sets in place a vicious cycle of exhaustion. To avoid this, Dr. Powell suggests trying to avoid long naps during the day. Try taking a walk or finding some other activity instead of sleeping. Go to bed at the same time every night; even if it's earlier than your "normal" pre-pregnancy schedule to get some extra sleep.
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Re: Insomnia During Pregnancy by anonymous on 11/02/2008 12:04PM
I'm 7 weeks pregnant. This is my 4th pregnancy and I am feeling very sick to my stomach. I can't hardly sleep. I'm miserable. I'm suffering really bad. I would think that you get sick only in the morning. I feel sick to my stomach all the time all day and night. I did not feel this way with the other pregnancies. I just had a miscarriage August 25th. I'm not sure but I feel that maybe this pregnancy is more complicated because I got pregnant right after I miscarried. I haven't yet seen my doctor. Has any one experienced this type of sickness?
Re: Insomnia During Pregnancy by anonymous on 10/29/2008 04:21PM
I've had primary insomnia (idiopathic) since childhood. I have worked with my doctors for 15+ years on proper medications for sleep. I've spent years of my life on Ambien and other sleep medications, but about five years ago was able to go off all of those and simply stay on Trazodone. I have also spent years refining my sleep hygiene, doing biofeedback and behavioral therapy to do everything possible to try and ensure good sleep (which I am generally able to do now, though it's still hard). My husband and I are now trying to get pregnant and my OB says no to Trazodone. I have gone off of it and gone back to my horrible insomnia of 2-3 hours of sleep a night. I can't live like this - I can't take care of myself properly in this state and can't imagine nurturing a baby in my womb when I am like this. But over the counter sleep medication (Tylenol PM, Unisom, Benadryl) simply keeps me awake and prescription sleep medication is off limits, according to my doc. What are my choices if I want to have a baby? For all those suffering out there, I hear you!
Re: Insomnia During Pregnancy by anonymous on 10/23/2008 05:16AM
I too have been pregnant twice before and never experienced this kind of insomnia. I also have been having terrible morning sickness, which was not the case the first two times. Hmm ... I wonder if the hormones are just stronger as you have more pregnancies. Who knows? I'll leave that to the professionals to decide. Either way ... THIS SUCKS!!
Re: Insomnia During Pregnancy by anonymous on 10/14/2008 10:46AM
I am 6 weeks pregnany and have been experiencing insomnia since 4 weeks (2 weeks since conception). I did not have this with my other pregnancies. I do not have worries, and urination is under control. I don't think the medical field knows what is happening - but my sense is it is related to hormones. In my other pregnancies, I was younger and better fit. Not sure if this is related. I am also very stomach sick this pregnancy. My sense is this is a phase but a very challenging one for those who have to work and care for other children.
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Re: Insomnia During Pregnancy by anonymous on 11/11/2008 07:07PM
I'm so tired! This is my second pregnancy and am having flashbacks to my first! Didn't sleep for nine months and I truly hope the insomnia won't be so bad this time round, but nine weeks into it I haven't had a decent sleep, nap or no nap. All day sickness also really bad, same as first. Sperm meets egg and I'm sick! Sympathy to all!