Late Pregnancy Sleep Issues

Hi T.,

I had the same problem when I was pregnant. My doctor told me to take benadryl for helping with the stuffy nose. It worked for me like a charm.

Good luck

There is a maternity pillow at Target and it is amazing. It is pricey but well worth it. I was having so many problems sleeping and then I got this thing and slept. Life saver for me.

Mother of four

The humidifier would be a good place to start for dealing with the congestion. I also tried the NeilMed Sinus Relief nasal spray. It was the only allergy and sinus relief nasal spray that was approved for pregnant women that I saw on the shelf. My cousin used it too when she started having allergy and congestion problems during her pregnancy. It worked the few times I had to use it, although my sinuses didn't suffer too much and the problem went away after about a week.

I completely understand what you mean about the breathing issue. My third trimester my son kept stretching up so that his feet were pushing up into my diaphragm so I couldn't breathe well at night. Propping pillows under me helped. I never got the chance to get a wedge pillow but I had been thinking that those would be easier than trying to prop and arrange all those pillows, so I would say go for it! I had a massage therapist during part of the pregnancy and she recommended the one from Target as well.

Lying on the right didn't really help and lying on my back was worse. So the pillows putting me into a semi reclined position is how I ended up making the breathing a little better. I just made sure to stay away from lying on my left side so as not to cut circulation to the baby.

Hope you find something that helps! Good luck!

A wedge pillow and possibly a body pillow will help. i think at some point you aren't supposed to sleep on your side because it can cut off blood flow to the baby. You can alos try washing your current pillows and bedding in HOT water - the may be a little dusty and that could be what's bothering you. The washing should get out any dustmites. Try the Breathe Right nasal strips too and a humidifier is always good for you. Hang in there!

I'm only 22 weeks, but I'm having my own sleep difficulties. Sleeping propped up on pillows (half way sitting up) with one under my legs is often a good choice (my main problem is my hips and shoulders hurt when I'm on my side too long). As for the congestion, have you tried Breathe Right strips? They kind of hold your nose open while you sleep-- I find it pretty comfortable and helpful. That plus the humidifier might be a good combo. Hope you find a solution soon so you can get your rest!

Hi T.,

You may have problems breathing because of the quality of air you are breathing in your home. They say the air in the home can be 10- 50 times worse then outdoors.

I have a great hepa airsystem that has 5 stages it goes through to make sure my lungs do not have to filter it out.

I live in a wellness home and it addresses sleep, environment, nutrition and exercise.

I found it is the best way to live and stay healthy.

If you would like more info let me know.

Have a great week.

N. Marie

Hi T.,
I'm 31 weeks right now and having the same trouble (this is my 1st). I find building a slight incline of pillows behind my back that arches my back a little helps (pillows lower down my back than I ever would normally - feels funny at first but is ok when I can breathe and feel less pressure in my abdomen) - it still allows me to flip side to side if its wide enough and I've woken up less feeling frustrated. Though its harder with someone else in the bed (I am for the first time in my life sleeping better alone than with my partner! yikes). I just got a vaporizer (cheap one from Longs) - that isn't a humidifier - but I think a real humidifier would work more noticeably. I also can't normally breathe thru my nose well, so pregnancy is way compounding that!

I also thought we weren't supposed to sleep on our backs- and the left side is preferable for circulation - my doctor even told me that when I woke up with what I felt was anxiety - was from sleeping on my back! so, left side is what I've been told for circulation . . . dunno.

Good luck, hope it helps -and maybe we'll be having our babies at the same time!!

D.

Hi T.,

This has happened to me as well for both my first and my current pregnancy.

One thing I don't see here is sleeping with the window slightly open. A bit cold for my husband but it makes a HUGE difference for me. He just bundles up:)

Also, I agree with the others on propping yourself up a bit with pillows.

I always have to wake up in the night and drink water because of the dry mouth.

In case no one has responded to this yet. It's probably due to your baby not "dropping" yet. I had the same experience. The baby puts a lot of strain on the lungs & chest until it "drops". Then it's sweet relief:)Hopefully the other ladies have ideas to relieve the pressure now.

Between the constant need to pee, heartburn, and the breathing issues, the last trimester was really tough on sleep for me. Adding insult to injury, everyone kept saying, get some sleep now, because...

Sleeping propped up did help the breathing. I used a combo of pillows (including a body pillow) and a down comforter to create support. The comforter was great bc I could shape it just right to get into position (which I had to do several times a night after peeing). You can also get a piece of plywood and put it under the mattress with bricks to prop it up to create a little upwards slant (that helps with acid reflux too).

I also used a humidifier and nasal saline spray. The spray will also help with the normal pregnancy stuffiness in addition to acting like a moisturizer for dried out nostrils.

For the record, what the books all say is that you should be sleeping on your left side to avoid cutting off circulation to the baby that could happen while sleeping on your back. But I wouldn't worry too much since women have successfully been having babies without this info through history (and judging from these posts quite a bit now too).