Natural Sleep Aids?

[righter1]

I always seem to have a bit of insomnia througout the year. But now, being pregnant, I seem to be having even more problems getting to sleep and staying asleep (and I'm not even 3 months along yet!)

Although my doctor is allowing me to take the stuff in Tylenol PM, I can't take it every night, and I have to eat before bed anyway to take some medication that she's got me on (pregnancy related, which is supposed to make me drowsy.)

So, does anyone have any natural remedies? I've tried chamomile tea, but I'm not certain it did much of anything... :(

[Ransom v. Unman]

Hmm... I wonder how Valerian root (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)#Medicinal_use) would effect your pregnancy?

That's about the only thing I can think of.

[righter1]

Hmm... I had Valerian, but it was mixed with Hops and I think I had to throw it out (it stank up my medicine cabinet horribly--even through the bottle and a plastic baggy my hubby put it in.) Plus, the tablets were so big, I could barely swallow them--and now, they'd be way too big to do so (I'm gagging on anything that's not food--gum, mints, hair bands that I put in my teeth to keep them accessible when I'm putting my hair in a ponytail, etc.)

[Xenia]

There's Melatonin but I would be very careful to find out about any contraindications. Even natural/herbal remedies should be used with caution, especially if one is pregnant :) I believe it has hormonal properties. Here is a web-site....

http://www.melatonin.com/

[Tarin]

I think I've heard Kava Kava is good.

[righter1]

What is Kava Kava? I've never heard of it...

[Tarin]

Here's an article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kava). I really don't anything about it, except an herbalist once told me it was good for relaxing you and helping you sleep.

[srussell]

Please be careful! Just because something says it's "natural" doesn't make it safe for you or your baby.

Insomnia during pregnancy is very common. With all of our children, my wife had trouble sleeping, especially during the 1st trimester.

I did a Google search on pregnancy and insomnia and saw several good articles on the subject.

God bless.


Sam

[Tommie Lyn]

Please be careful! Just because something says it's "natural" doesn't make it safe for you or your baby.

I echo this advice. Don't take anything without your doctor's approval.

Also, keep in mind that your body is adjusting from a non-pregnant state to a pregnant one, and there may be side effects, like insomnia. Like backaches in the later months. And other physical and mental aggravations. And keep in mind that although these side effects may be an irritant right now, the pregnancy only lasts nine months....it isn't forever. ;)

On the other side of the issue, your body will also make changes and adjust from being pregnant to a non-pregnancy state after the birth, and, for some women, that can also be disruptive (it was for me). But I view it as part of the overall blessing of being the conduit through which new life enters the world.

Incidentally, if you think you have trouble sleeping now, just wait until the child is a teenager.....

[righter1]

I echo this advice. Don't take anything without your doctor's approval.

Also, keep in mind that your body is adjusting from a non-pregnant state to a pregnant one, and there may be side effects, like insomnia. Like backaches in the later months. And other physical and mental aggravations. And keep in mind that although these side effects may be an irritant right now, the pregnancy only lasts nine months....it isn't forever. ;)

On the other side of the issue, your body will also make changes and adjust from being pregnant to a non-pregnancy state after the birth, and, for some women, that can also be disruptive (it was for me). But I view it as part of the overall blessing of being the conduit through which new life enters the world.

Incidentally, if you think you have trouble sleeping now, just wait until the child is a teenager.....

My doctor told me to take Tylenol PM... but I took it the other night and I still had problems! That's why I was asking the question... Actually, I was more thinking about tips like a glass of milk or whatever--tricks more than thinks like Valerian or whatever.

Trust me, I'm very careful what I'm doing--Hubby's even riding me if I forget to take my prenatals...

[ProfessorAlan]

self-medicating for one is dangerous enough, but for two? I'd be real careful.

[Katibriah]

Lets see.... I can't really remember what I did. But you could try some hot chocolate.

Believe it or not when I was pregnant with my third (or was it my second child) I found that coffee would put me to sleep. Still does and that was 4 1/2 years ago.:rolleyes:

Have you tried Earl Grey tea... oh.. wait, Lady Grey tea is a bit more soothing. Try that one. Also have your hubby give you a rub down. Tell him to be gentle of course. ;)

A good massage may relax you enough to where you can get a few zzz's. Don't let him forget your scalp and the back of your neck.