Pregnancy Tips and Tricks for Insomnia and Dry Skin
I was very fortunate to have really ‘well’ pregnancies in terms of nausea and sickness. I was especially thankful for that the last time round as I was still getting up for feeds in the night with my 4 month old, while feeling pretty smashed, mothering 3 little ones and being pregnant.
During my last pregnancy though, there were 2 things that really plagued me throughout.
1. Insomnia – I thought I knew what sleep deprivation was after my second was an ‘emotional sleeper/waker’ but that was nothing compared to the torture of insomnia. I would be able to fall asleep, but then would wake within an hour or 2 and be awake for hours at a time, unable to sleep. My itchy skin definitely didn’t help and the constant waking started to make me anxious about the nights and the lack of sleep I was getting when I needed it so much.
My OB was helpful to an extent, and I felt like I finally broke through in the third trimester, still with the occasional night of insomnia, but not all the time.
The things that ended up helping –
⁃ A glass of milk before bed – it is said that this helps release melatonin, but it hasn’t really been proven. It seems that this more likely has a psychological effect as people often associate it with relaxation from childhood. I’m not sure, but it was suggested and I built it into my routine – I was willing to try anything.
⁃ 4 x Magnesium tablets – magnesium can improve sleep quality as it helps maintain healthy levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep. It also reduces muscle twitches and cramps, common in pregnancy.
⁃ Zero caffeine
⁃ Restavit – this was when it was really extreme and I was desperate for some unbroken sleep. It’s pretty much an extreme antihistamine that slows your nervous system, making waking less likely or for a shorter period. It didn’t work amazingly, admittedly, so I only used it in a few occasions, when I’d worded up my husband that he was ‘on duty’ for the night. Safe to use in pregnancy.
⁃ Meditation before sleep – I listened to a sleep meditation – a mix of songs and exercises and this ended up being key to my getting back to sleep and going to sleep when I was anxious about sleeping. This is an old one but it was helpful https://music.apple.com/au/album/sleep/304863093
2. Dry, itchy skin (winter was brutal)
This almost drove me crazy… until I found a solution.
Someone had been talking about the need for face oil as well as a moisturiser as a barrier cream… so thought I’d apply the same to my near-scaly body!
The Winning Combo –
⁃ Waleea Stretch Mark Massage Oil – to nourish. It is a pregnancy one that can be found at healthfood stores and online https://www.adorebeauty.com.au/weleda/weleda-stretch-mark-massage-oil.html?istCompanyId=6e5a22db-9648-4be9-b321-72cfbea93443&istFeedId=686e45b5-4634-450f-baaf-c93acecca972&istItemId=wixxxiwpa&istBid=tztx&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtrnuBRDXARIsABiN-7DK1UFuGu01q6DWRTZQwgIKlhILoen582D47DGtTtn42HUaz79ryaIaAoXsEALw_wcB
Even the smell of this was so good and it went quite far.
⁃ QV cream as a barrier over the top https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/4023/ego-qv-cream-250g-jar?rcid=1034 – the baby one is even thicker!
OR
A new one I’ve found/loved/used for our little one with eczema (and subsequently on myself) is Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream - you can purchase it at Chemist warehouse.
⁃ Drink as much water (or herbal tea) as possible – not an easy task when you’re out with small people!! Made a big difference though.