10 ideas to find sleep – when you can’t find sleep

Today is Friday. I should be in bed with hubby by now, out of different reasons. First of all, Friday usually marks the start of our weekend. So, this is the beginning of our quality time. Often enough, this means no blog entries. Well, it is supposed to mean that, after all, hubby is there and we can spend time together. Oh my, did not work too well lately, this idea. Hubby has been pretty busy and unexpectedly he even has to go abroad within the next weeks. As you can imagine, that is frustrating.

Ooops starting the down-post alley again? Nope, not really. I am just a little frustrated because of this kind of news on the one hand, and the other reason is, once again, that I cannot sleep. GRRRRRR this has been going on throughout the week. I have no idea why, I do not have coffee or anything similar. But the later it is, the less I can rest.

So, what am I going to do now? It’s getting later. After midnight. Definitely not my usual time, but I am getting used to it. Try to stay in bed when you feel like you had a bucket of coffee.  I just couldn’t. I tried warm milk, didn’t work, I am still under alarm. And for once this is not because I drink a lot and run to the loo all the time. Well, this adds to the fun of the situation, though. :)

I have some recipes though, which are supposed to help when you have sleeping problems during pregnancy. They have worked with me before this week, too, btw, so, in general,  they do work:

Ideas to let tired mommies-to-be sleep better:

1. Drink a lot. The healthy things only, I’d recommend. Drinking is extremely important. But don’t drink much in the evening. Then you face the run-to-the-loo-problem.

2. Don’t eat too much, too fat, too spicy in the evening. I had that only a week ago and had terrible heartburn from it. That will definitely not let you rest.

3. Do your exercises during the day. They help you to be tired in the evening. That’s true, it works fine with me, but not this week. Today we only had a walk, maybe this was not enough, but then again, don’t overdo your exercises. Moderate exercise is good for you and baby, but don’t try to get fit for Olympic competitions now.

4. Have a night walk. I did not do this one, because hubby wouldn’t allow me out. I’d be alone in the dark, after midnight, because hubby is fast asleep.

5. A short warm bath right before bedtime is a good idea. Very relaxing, I can absolutely recommend that one. Works fine with me, usually, but I have not done this tonight. The longer I am up, the more likely it becomes that I'll have an after midnight bath.

6. Light massage works fine. Be careful, of course, but shoulders, neck and feet are safe and pleasant. If your partner is awake, that is. So, you better do that in time.

7. The sleeping positions also influence how easily and  well you could sleep. I’d suggest sleeping on the side, because if you pull the upper leg a little bit upwards, the muscles around the belly area can relax better. Tried it, works fine, but not this week.

8. If your feet are cold, try either warm socks or a hot-water bottle in your bed. It feels lovely and if your feet are warm, dozing off is far easier. Sometimes I have cold feet in bed, so I can recommend this. Tried it, works fine, but not this week.

9. Valerian works. But I am not willing to give it a try yet. I know that there are other plants that have similar effects, but I haven’t tried them yet. I’d try them in tea form, because I could make a whole ceremony out of it, which is a feel-good method for me.

10. My favourite recipe to sleep easier and better: warm milk and honey. I love that. Tried it, works fine, but not this week.

I am not desperate, just a wee bit tired, what a surprise. But if it goes on like that, I might have written a complete book on pregnancy-related ideas, in record time.

I’ll give it a try and go to bed again. Have a lovely night and a nice weekend!