Just like every pregnancy, each trimester is different. Those of us that have had the opportunity to be blessed with a full term pregnancy can all agree that the last trimester, particularly the last month, can be down right misery. Your hips hurt, your back hurts, completely sleep deprived, hemorrhoids and even the baby moving around has lost it's cuteness due to the fact that there just isn't any more room left for him or her in there. Getting through the last month can be the most trying of them all.

Being one that has had the opportunity to be pregnant once before, I now find myself getting irritated in my last month with others and their oh-so-knowledgeable comments. It's obvious that I am exhausted every minute of the day and they find it appropriate to tell me that I better get used to it cause baby is going to be here soon and I won't be getting much sleep then either. As if I don't already know and expect that. Kindly, to all of you experts, there is a major difference between this exhaustion and that of having a new born; I am currently exhausted due to lack of sleep resulting from being in a constant state of pain and being uncomfortable. While I know that I will have a new born to get up with repeatedly through the night, the baby can be handed off from time to time to let me get some needed rest. I can't pass off the baby at this point to get some much needed shut eye.

So those of you out there that know exactly what I am talking about and wanting some great ideas for getting your snooze on, I got some great tips but as always, no guarantees since our pregnant bodies are all a bit different. Sleep before baby decides it's time to put you to work in the delivery room is very important. A woman in her last month needs to make sure that she is well rested to have enough energy and stamina to make it through the contractions and push baby out. It takes a lot of work to have a baby and no one is going to have an easier time doing it going in exhausted.

 SLEEPING TIPS:

1. If you haven't stolen every extra pillow in the house already, do it or invest in a body pillow. Use the pillows to support your body such as your back, your belly and between your knees. This will help take some of the strain off your back and your hips allowing your body to relax more.

2. Taking a warm bath before going to bed is a great way to relax your body from head to toe. Just make sure that you have someone home and near by to help you get back out if you're not sure that you can do it yourself!

3. Over the counter medicines like Benedryl and Tylenol PM both have the same chemical component that will help induce sleep and act as pain relievers. In my early third trimester both of these worked great for me but as time went on, it resulted in no sleep and intensified anxiety. Let your doctor know if this happening with you and stop taking them for sleep.

Whether seeing a doctor, OBGYN, or midwife make sure that you are keeping up communication with them on how you are doing. Let them know if you are to your breaking point when it comes to sleep. They will not only have some helpful tips for you to try, but may also prescribe you a safe sleeping aid. Chances are they are going to have you try all the other alternatives first but if and when they don't work it's always good to know that there is another alternative out there.