The end is near…of the pregnancy that is. How do I know that? Is it the fact that I am 31 weeks pregnant? Or that my due date is quickly approaching? No..although those things are true, I know the end is near due to the fact that sleep in no longer a part of my life. We have officially entered the stage where no matter how tired I am sleep just seems to be a thing of the past. I guess I better get used to it!
I find it amazing how a woman’s body fully prepares itself to give birth, and then be ready to take care of the child. If we forget about the physical biology of the changing body, and the milk productions we can focus on the fact that as time moves forward a pregnant woman’s ability to sleep becomes harder and harder. It begins with having to pee throughout the night. These days I get up at least 3 times to pee. I am a true believer that it gets a person ready to get up multiple times a night for the feedings. Do you think it coincides with when the baby will wake up once born? I think so! If not, then at least I believe it gives you a small taste of what’s to come. Having gone through it once already, I am fully aware that you can never truly be prepared, but if you can get used to the interrupted sleep early you are better off.
A new symptom of pregnancy has occurred recently and that is restless leg syndrome at night. It’s wonderful. I lay down exhausted, close my eyes, and then the need to shift and twitch constantly begins. It feels like I want to jump out of my skin. I know that it’s just the restless leg, and if I can just take my mind off of it I can maybe fall asleep but it’s almost impossible. I just want to kick, get up, walk and do anything but lay still enough to drift away into dream land. I figure this is another way to get me used to no sleep. Thank you body!!
Let’s talk about dreams for a moment shall we? These days I have the craziest ones! I wish I could tell you what they are once I wake, but I feel like I dream of the oddest things. None of them are baby oriented though which I find nuts. I can remember that much. Sometimes I am fully aware of my dream and feel like I am not even truly sleeping while I am having the dream. It’s hard to explain, but it certainly adds to my restlessness.
Even when I try to lay down to nap I find my head spinning through thoughts so much that I can’t fall asleep. I’m not going to lie. I kind of dread the night time. As I walk up the stairs to bed I think to myself…well…time for another uncomfortable restless night. It kind of stinks, but on the other hand I do find it a blessing. I know that I am just getting used to functioning on less sleep. At least now during this practice round I can learn to play and handle my 3 1/2 year old while tired with out also adding in a newborn. Baby steps right?
So that is how I know the end is coming. I had a long time enjoying sleep. I guess I am due for another 2 years of random sleep patterns. At least after getting to 3 1/2 years with my son I know there is a light at the end of the sleep tunnel. So goodbye for now sleep. You will certainly be missed, but it’s all for a good cause. Our baby girl is on her way shortly, and it’s about time I started to get ready!
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