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[daniellelenora]

As I sleeplessly make my way into my thirty-second week, depression has slowly crept it's way back into my everyday life. The lack of sleep I'm experiencing is affecting me drastically which is probably contributing to my depression. I know how horrible it can be for one to not sleep for days and all the issues that go along with it, I'm going on

Comments

[iriemama]

Are you on any B vitamins and sticking with your prenatals? Have you tried any yoga or other relaxation methods? I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. best wishes for some peaceful rest.

[daniellelenora]

I am taking my prenatal, but not any B vitamins. Where do I start with taking those and what's the benefit? Thanks!

[iriemama]

I take a B complex along with my prenatals as suggested by my midwife. B vitamins are very important for maintaining balance emotionally and mentally. Here is a link to a useful website with more info: http://depression.about.com/cs/diet/a/vitamin.htm

Omegas are great to treat depression as well. I have noticed a big difference in my mood when I don't take my vitamins regularly, which causes anxiety and a vicious cycle that can definitely keep me up at nite. They are both a really good supplement to take even when you aren't pregnant. good luck:)

[theradar]

i don't have any advice because i'm sort of in the same situation.

i'm 26wks (plus a couple days) and i'm having a horrible time dealing with my anxiety/panick attacks. i had these for about a year leading up to getting pregnant, but obviously quit my medication once i found out i was having a baby. my doctor gave me these tranquilizer type pills that i would take 3 times a day, which totally helped and made me feel normal. it's been such a struggle for the past 6.5 months. i don't know if there's any natural way i can heal it myself. i've searched and searched.

anyways, like i said. i don't have any advice. so i'm sorry. i just wanted to kinda vent/let you know that i feel you. :)

[daniellelenora]

Thanks, it makes me feel like I'm not alone. I get frustrated because I feel like it's choosing between my baby's health and my mental health. Which, I happily sacraficed for my baby's, but it's still frustrating. : ) And by the way, panic attacks are the worst, Good luck momma!

[on_a_hill]

Wow. That sounds.......very not fun. :( I'm sorry. You aren't the first mama I've heard of, though, who has talked about insomnia in late pregnancy.

FWIW, Unisom sleep TABS (not the gels, and only Unisom brand) are safe to use in pregnancy. I've been using them for hypermesis actually and have the pleasant side effect of getting a nice nights sleep. They are a class a drug and are considered by ACOG to be the first line treatment for hypermesis. You maybe can ask your doctor about that. Since it's something that is normally prescribed in pregnant women, maybe it's something you could take to give you some refreshing sleep, it sounds like you need it. It can really impact your mental state to be so tired.

Good luck.

[ex_iydkmight499]

I'm not sure whether you would know this, but if you take sleeping medication, are you still able to wake up if for example, my toddler woke up at night? Like, would I have the reflexes/capacity to hear him?? I definitely can't count on my husband to do that, he could sleep through an earthquake!

[on_a_hill]

Well, in my experience with the Unisom tabs, yes. I am totally just guessing but I *think* the reason that every other maker of sleeping pills uses a different drug is because this one doesn't work super great. I'm still able to wake up at 1am and pee (oh joy) and I've also been able to be woken up when my toddler has called out to me. I have to be up at 6am and when I wake up, I'm fine. With my last pregnancy I took phenergan, which ISNT a sleep aid and it made me drowsier than the Unisom.

[ex_iydkmight499]

Thanks. I'll have to look more into it, but I could definitely use some help these last weeks!!

[ex_iydkmight499]

With the exception of working in a Psych hospital, I'm 33 weeks and definitely having issues with depression and sleep deprivation. The less sleep I get, the more restless, and bitchy, and worrisome I get. Some days I can barely make it through the day with my 19 month old, because I just want to rip my head off, or go lay in bed all day and not move.
So, I can't really offer help or suggestions, but let you know that you're not on your own.
<3

[daniellelenora]

Thanks, it's amazing how much sleep impacts your mood. : (

[nemawei]

I am 36w 7d and went through a similar thing 5-6 weeks ago. I was extraordinarily tired yet often couldn't sleep at night. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open at my desk, in the car, etc... I didn't say anything to my doctor about it because I've never been pregnant before and I thought it was normal. (A lot of the stuff I read said it was normal to get tired again in the third trimester like a lot of women get in the first trimester). My doctor happened to test my iron levels and said I was extremely anemic. She called the day after I got my blood drawn and said she can't believe that I haven't noticed being tired. It was then that I told her I WAS tired ... she said WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL US? I guess I never thought about calling the doctor because I was tired ... :) The problem is easily resolved with an iron supplement. (I take mine twice a day, in addition to the once/day prenatal vitamin that I've taken since beginning.)

Anyway ... maybe you should get your iron levels checked.

Good luck!

[daniellelenora]

Thanks for brining that to my attention, I'm totally going to get that checked out! Thanks!