My Sleep Patterns Are Way Off at 34 weeks. Is Anyone Else's?

[Anonymous]

I am 34.5 weeks pregnant. I seem to wake up at 4:30 or 5 am whether I pass out on the sofa from 9-11 or if I go to sleep at midnight. Once I'm up, I'm up. I'm only going to the bathroom one time at night. Is it going to be like this the rest of my pregnancy. I seem to be going on adrenaline pretty well without drinking very much caffeine at all (a can of diet coke every few days). Just curious if anyone else is like this.

[Anonymous]

Yes! It is driving me crazy. This is my second pregnancy, and I seem to recall the same thing happening the first time around. My reasoning is that it is my body preparing for crazy sleep patterns while caring for an infant. I don't recall it getting any better, and I'm just bracing myself for more of the same until I deliver (and then getting even less sleep).

[Anonymous]

I am at 36 weeks and this whole week has been either not sleeping until 4 a.m. or sleeping early and waking up at 4 or 5. I think the reason are the bathroom wake ups, because once i am awake at 4 or 5 its almost impossible to go back to sleep. Its driving me nuts. I was hoping to get good night sleep in these last few weeks .

[Anonymous]

I am experiencing the same thing, I think this is Nature's way to prepare you for the future feedings ... I have discussed it with my OBGYN because I feel that the lack of sleep is making me too tired to be in a good enough shape to go through labor and he suggested I'd take Tylenol PM before I go to bed. I have done that several times now and it really helps. You could ask for sleeping pills but I'd rather try something not as heavy and Tylenol PM does help me (I take two 30 minutes before I plan to go to sleep). Even if I do wake during the night to go to the bathroom I can go back to sleep immediately. I am almost 37 weeks btw.

[Anonymous]

I am experiencing the same thing, I think this is Nature's way to prepare you for the future feedings ... I have discussed it with my OBGYN because I feel that the lack of sleep is making me too tired to be in a good enough shape to go through labor and he suggested I'd take Tylenol PM before I go to bed. I have done that several times now and it really helps. You could ask for sleeping pills but I'd rather try something not as heavy and Tylenol PM does help me (I take two 30 minutes before I plan to go to sleep). Even if I do wake during the night to go to the bathroom I can go back to sleep immediately. I am almost 37 weeks btw.

[Anonymous]

We should make a forum for women in our 3rd trimester to talk to one another from 4-6a. I'm with you.
I've had luck with curling up on the couch and watching some of the overnight newscasts. They can help put me back to sleep. And if they don't, it's ususally pretty funny in the morning when my husband reads/watches the news and I've already scooped him...

[Anonymous]

I'm the poster. I'm going to ask my OB/GYN about tylenol PM. I'd love to sleep 7 or 8 solid hours on a weekend. I'm still working full-time so I need to get up at 6:30. The person who responded that they take the tylenol PM, how long does it make you sleep after you take one. I want to make sure I can wake up for work without being more tired b/c it didn't wear off yet.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I actually have found that Tylenol PM leaves me unbelievably groggy the next day, way worse than I would have been had I just not gotten a good night's sleep. Although Ambien is a prescription pill, I find that it gives me a MUCH more restful sleep and I feel completely well-rested as soon as I wake up in the morning. My doctor said that it's fine to take 5mg Ambien (rather than the usual 10mg dose) during the pregnancy. I only end up taking it about once every few weeks when I know that I have to be well-rested the next morning because of an important work obligation. My doctor says it's not addictive, but I wouldn't want to get into the habit of taking it everynight. But I definitely prefer it to Tylenol PM. You should try the Tylenol PM, but if you have that zonked out feeling the next morning, consider Ambien.

[Anonymous]

Tylenol PM poster here: I take it about 30 min before I go to sleep and I can definitely feel myself getting sleepy. Last night I did wake up because I had to go to the bathroom but I soon went back to sleep. I wake up early because of my daughter (around 7) nd I don't feel groggy at all the next day. Perhaps every person responds differently.
The other day I forget to take them and just couldn't sleep. I went downstairs at 2 am to take two pills and woke up at 7.30 am feeling pretty rested.
It is worth a try. If it doesn't work well for you try to get a prescription for something like Ambien.

Good luck!