The Woes of Pregnancy Sleep

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Thank you to ZzzQuil for sponsoring this post on what keeps me from having the best night sleep ever. Click here to save $2.00 on ZzzQuil.

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?

What do you do to maximize your zzz’s each night? I’d love to hear your go-to remedies! If you’re not pregnant, nursing, or co-sleeping you should check out the details of the new ZzzQuil over-the-counter sleep aid, plus you can save $2 with this nifty coupon!
I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.
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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    Hey!As someone with medical training just wanted to say, check that st johns wort doesnt interact with any medications (herbal or otherwise) that you're taking as it interacts with A LOT. Also, ginger, green tea, ginkgo and many others thin blood so if you're taking any of these and blood meds be careful. If your midwife hasnt mentioned it already, ask her next time.Good luck with the sleep! Hate it when a nap ruins your nights sleep, but a nap is always soooo good!

  2. says

    yep. i'm usually wide awake at 1am and i woke up this morning at 5 am…gah.

  3. ThatMamaGretchen says

    I was up until 1am too! Luckily, I peed then and slept all the way until 6:45 – that long of a stretch felt so good!