Week 14: Pregnancy insomnia

So, I have been complaining about this on Twitter and have decided to officially gripe on my blog about my sleep cycle these last few days. I have anyways changed my sleep cycle once I got pregnant because I was, of course, TIRED beyond words. I don't nap, but changed things so that I was pretty much in bed between 10-11 pm (I would normally sleep around 12-1 am).

In the last week and half, I have been following that schedule, but I wake up at least once at 2:30-3:00 am. I always heard that people wake up during their pregnancy, but they always tie it to having to pee. I DON'T NEED TO PEE! WHY AM I WAKING UP?!!

My first reaction is that I am hot... we are getting into the really hot time in the DC area and in the past week and half, we got hot and humid. In order to combat the humidity (because there is not much of a 'cool off' at night and no breeze), we have to use the air conditioning. Normally during the summer, I have it set to 78 degrees at night; 76 if it gets really hot. Since I got pregnant, I have it at 74 degrees at night and when I wake up, I sometimes turn it down to 72 degrees. That does seem to help.

If it's cool enough, I just wake up, turn to my other side with my body pillow (I use the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow). If I get hot, I'm up longer. Last night though, I couldn't fall asleep for about an hour!!! :( I was not a happy camper.

I then also wake up around 5:30 am - 6:00 am. I'm not SUPPOSED to get up until 7:30-ish. I suppose I could start getting up early, but I'm not a morning person and frankly, I get a bit pissed off about waking a bit early from my alarm :P

So, what I have heard about sleeping?
Mostly that everyone seems to get this and that some contribute it to having to pee, your body getting ready for middle of night feedings, and just hormones. Here are some hints I found online:

• Go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day. (I already do that)
  
• Don't nap during the day. (I don't - not even during the 1st trimester)
  
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Pregnant women should do this anyway. (duh - I don't drink or smoke)
  
• Don't drink caffeinated beverages four to six hours before bedtime. (I don't drink caffeine at all these days; I just don't like it... I can barley stand 7-up)
  
• Avoid spicy foods. (hmmm; well, I don't have it that much. And when I do, I think I have slept better. Maybe I should try that tonight.)
  
• Get regular exercise but not too close to bedtime. (ha! Yea, I don't exercise close to bedtime - I would be too tired)
  
• Do not watch TV or read in bed. Go to bed only when you're sleepy, and use the bed only for sleep or sex. (yep; actually, I try to read, but I'm too tired)

Oh - do you guys follow the spicy food rule? I don't eat super spicy food, but don't have any issues with that - no heartburn and whatnot. I think it mostly depends on how much you eat it anyways. I mean, in some regions of the world, you can't AVOID it!!!

I would love to hear any suggestions you have for sleeping; I would just like to sleep through the night and not wake up so much. I know that I will be doing this a lot with baby and would like a bit more time to enjoy my nighttimes :)