Terrible Trouble Sleeping

[meglet]

I'm waking up and can't get back to sleep for up to 2.5 hours every night, usually from about 3.00, and its driving me absolutely nuts.

Some background....

The past three months have been very stressful. My partner and I decided to accept a job offer in Saudi Arabia so we are in the process of packing up and shipping out (due to fly out early May). This move necessitated us getting hitched as, although we were engaged, I wasn't happy going as a single woman. I therefore single-handedly (well men aren't usually much good at wedding stuff) planned a 150-guest sized wedding in less than 7 weeks. On top of that I am pregnant for the 3rd time after two miscarriages and this has been playing on my mind a lot. However I have had 3 scans now and all is good and I've made it to nearly 18 weeks. Also found out that my baby is negative for Down's, Edward's and Patau and had an early anomaly scan so there is nothing to stress over.

The upshot is that, okay we have a move coming up but all the big stressful stuff is out if the way. However I get up for a wee every night and then just can't get back off. I've tried Rescue Remedy but is there anything a doctor can suggest that I can take whilst preggo?

[bednobs]

hiya, i don't know the answwr, but i just wanted to say congratulations :)

[meglet]

Aww, thanks Bednobs :)

[Sqad]

Try Nytol...that is a antihistamine and is safe during pregnancy.

Saudi Arabia is an experience not to be missed.

[meglet]

Thanks Sqad. I thought about Nytol but found conflicting advice online. Although I guess pretty much every medication says pregnant women should check with doc first.

We went to SA or a recce visit early March and, yes, it will be an experience! Some good things, some not so good. Hopefully on balance it will be positive!

[grasscarp]

I had only one time in my life when I could not sleep due to huge problems which I wont go in to here. My sanity was save by a drink of horlicks each night before bed. Amazingly it did give me a good night's sleep without waking up and churning over events as I had been doing before.

[Sqad]

Which part of Saudi?

[Bbbananas]

Insomnia is awful, and not surprising with everything you have been through, but it will pass. Stay strong and keep smiling through x

[meglet]

Horlicks? Thanks grasscarp, worth a try.

Sqad, we're off to Riyadh. Do you know much about the healthcare out there? I am having to reassure my worrying Mum that I'll be having the baby in a perfectly fine hospital. I'm 39 so somewhat high risk.

[meglet]

Thanks Bbbananas :)

[Sqad]

Riyadh is pretty tough for the woman, although you will be living in a cantonment and pretty much an ex pat society, possibly with some Americans.
I have been to the King Feisal Hospital in Riyadh and the facilities are probably some of the best in the world as will be the Obstetric care......
Four years is about the best that you will survive as a woman in Saudia Arabia.
Try to get to Jedha and Al Kobar.......modern cities.
Best of luck....you will enjoy the experience.

[DaisyNonna]

Best of luck, meglet. Hope all goes well with you.

[flemma]

Hi there. I had a similar problem a while ago. I woke up same time every night and could not get back to sleep. I used Avon sleep therapy and kalms sleep. Also a relaxation cd or an App if you have a smart phone. U have so much going on its running through your mind. You need to get it out if your head before going to sleep. Good luck. I know how frustrating it can be x

[mazie]

I know this sounds crazy...but when I wake up in the middle of the night...I pick my glasses up as though I'm getting up...and once they are in my hands, I fall back to sleep...Really strange, but it works for me...I think it removes that expectation of sleep

[in a mo]

I have a chronic sleep problem for the past 20 years and have not been to bed for the past 4 years , I suffer from dreadful dreams , I also have a type of nightmare during the day , even though I do not go to sleep. I am constantly visiting clinics for sleep disorders.

My main thing that has helped me through the last 4 years is I try to sit and listen to some soothing music or watch some television , I have headphones on all night ,so that if I have the unfortunate disaster and nod off for a few moments I have something to soothe my mind and hopefully lower my pulse rate .

The problem you might find if you have a cup of Horlicks or the like , you will probably want to go for a wee .The main thing is really try not to wind yourself up, deal with it in a calm and peaceful manner ,no point in waking your partner,you really do not need to have both of you tired and irritable ,I have also stopped driving as you never realise just how tired you really are.

Finally I trust you are able to manage your sleep and all goes well on your Trip of A Lifetime, best wishes to your partner ,remember to post the news when the baby is born . Mr In A Mo

[meglet]

All good advice, thanks. I've taken to taking my iPad to bed and then switching it on to Sky News when I wake up so the voices lull me back to sleep. It's had varying success though, last night I gave up trying to sleep and watched a couple of downloaded programs for 2.5 hours. Luckily neither hubby or I are working at the mo as we've finished up for the move, so I can at least sleep in when I do eventually nod off. I hate to wake him up with my tossing and turning.

I wake up for a wee anyway, being pregnant. I also wake up thirsty even though I am keeping myself well hydrated. Also a pregnancy thing I think.

I have had times over the past few weeks when my mind has been doing overtime (e.g. the days before a scan or the wedding) but my mind is pretty clear now. I'm worried its now go to be a habit that's hard to break.