Usually at around the 35 - 38 week mark it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep, and you begin to feel like an insomniac.

There are many reasons for the insomnia and once you pin point what is causing it you can try to eliminate the

Some of the reasons are -

Stress / Anxiety. -

This is the main cause for insomnia in pregnancys. You could be stressing about having everything ready on time, or how your life is going to change or if your going to cope...

If your anxiety starts to effect your sleep patterns, then it's time for you to find a better way to deal with your worries.

One of the best ways to deal with the stress and anxiety is to talk to someone about whats worring you, your partner, people on minti, your midwife or maybe a counciller. Getting things of your chest and talking through the solutions will make you feel alot better.

A warm bath before bed with some lavender oil might help you to relax and wind down, it also works wonders or aches and pains...

Heat -

If you lucky enough to have a summer baby trying to sleep in the sweltering heat can be somewhat impossible.

Ways to combat the heat are, Taking a cool shower / bath before bed, sleeping in airconditioning if available. have a fan running in your room and sleep in light cotton clothing or sheets to keep you cooler.

Comfort -

This is something we cannot avoid, the bigger our tums get the harder it is to get comfortable. Some suggestions on sleeping positions are;

Use a body pillow or a pillow to place between your legs as you lay on your side,

Try sleeping in a recliner chair or propped up by pillows,

Sleep on your left side and this reduces pressure to your bladder,

Use a soft matteress if available to ease the pressure on your hips.

If you can ask someone to give you a gental massage befor you settle in for the night this will also relieve tension in your muscels.

Increased need to pee.

Im sorry ladies but there isnt much i can say about this one. we need to pee more to get rid of the amniotice fluid that is constanly replaced in the womb.....

Just try to pee before you go to bed and keep a water bottle by your bed, try to keep your fluids up during the night as well.

Diet -

Try to steer clear of things like coke and coffee after noon so that there is no caffein in your system by bed time.

Have a light meal before bed so you dont feel bloated or have heartburn.

Above all, TRY not to worry about not getting sleep, don't sit there and watch the clock or count the minutes. Instead think at least your body is resting.

IF you think you have a serious sleep disorder please contact your doctor or midwife and ask for professional help!!

written by angela parker