The Woes of Pregnancy Sleep

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Pregnancy sleep is a fickle thing.

Today at my midwife appointment my number one complaint was lack of sleep. Many days I opt to nap with Jemma for 2 hours or so to make up for the previous night’s poor snooze. There is no doubt I sleep WAY better during midday naps. Problem is, then I’m up too late waiting to feel tired. Like right now … it’s 10:15pm and there is a high possibility that I’ll be up until midnight or later. Talk about a Catch-22.

Awake late, thanks to naps.
Awake often, thanks to my tiny bladder and repositioning for some level of comfort.
Awake early, thanks to my sweet toddler.

What to do? What to do?

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My midwife had a wonderful list of things to try in these last few weeks of pregnancy and I can’t wait to implement them as a part of my bedtime ritual.

• Deep side-lying sleep position
• Mix of St. John’s Wort and Skullcap tincture
• CALM calcium magnesium supplement (I already take this and love the raspberry-lemonade flavor)
• Herbal tea, like chamomile
• Warm sack/rice cozy
• Quiet, relaxing music or meditations
• Snuggles with hubby or Jem
• Warm bath and low-key reading
• No light in the room, can I get an amen for black out curtains?
• Moving out electronics that create electromagnetic emissions
• Reflexology or foot massage

I must say, I’m most excited about evening foot massages. My midwife even offered to write it on a prescription pad so Dominic would understand how important it is for him to rub my tootsies :)

She also mentioned that frequent waking during the third trimester could be my body’s way of preparing for frequent waking after baby which totally makes sense. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is scientific data backing that theory. Would you?