Re: pregnancy and insomnia

[Guest guest]

Hi Filippa,

--- In , " filikara " <filippa91@y...>

wrote:

>

> And now it's my turn to ask for input (about me and not a friend!).

> I'm 35 weeks pregnant now and for the last month at least, I'm often

> awake for several hours during the night. I seem to wake up at 1 or 2

> and can't go back to sleep until 5 or so (like now!).

A lot of what I wrote in the other insomia post would apply here. Gut

overgrowths cause cortisol to be secreted. Gut

bacteria/yeast/fungi/candida are most active during these early

morning hours (most often 3:30-5:00, but it does vary) so that's when

they cause cortisol to be secreted when it should otherwise be very

low. Cortisol wakes people up and makes them feel very alert and

hungry, just like you should be when you start your day.

Another thing that causes gut buggies to be active is any

increase/change in hormones, like ovulation, menstruation, and

pregnancy/breastfeeding. So that definately explains why it's worse

during pregnancy. Many women only get this type of insomnia during

the ovulation and mensturation part of their cycle. (other causes are

alcohol, certain medication, food intolerances, and too many carbs)

Ross, in her book the Mood Cure, describes this type of

night-waking due to cortisol. She states that in her practice, taking

care of the gut overgrowth problem fixes the insomnia in nearly every

case. I never dreamt that I had a gut overgrowth problem because I

eat kimchi every day. After an anti-candida protocol, I have slept

well with the exception of two nights over a 9-week period.

I know insomnia

> is quite common in late pregnancy but I'm just wondering why. I often

> seem to have a bowel movement at this time so I wonder if it's from an

> active liver (i.e. the Chinese medicine idea of the liver being active

> from 1 to 3am). I'm also often hungry at this time and usually have a

> glass of milk (raw of course).

Does raw milk get you back to sleep? I have found that sometimes

eating some carbs (like chocolate, sugar, crackers) makes me sleepy so

sometimes I would drink this to help me fall back to sleep. I've done

a kefir soda that's still a little sweet the two times I've been up

since the anti-candida protocol. Raw milk (and kefir soda) have B6

and raw milk also has B12, which is over-stimulating in some people.

But milk does put some people to sleep.

I'm not suggesting an anti-candida protocol because I have no idea if

it's a good idea during pregnancy. It's probably better to ride things

out if your pregnancy is otherwise going well - no need to rock the

boat. But you might try increasing probiotics (particularly kefir

sodas) and eat milk/grains (and any other potentially allergenic

foods) earlier in the day unless you've tested for them and they are

okay. If you're intolerant to casein, doing kefir milk might be like

slamming the break and gas at the same time - you'd get probiotics

which would decrease cortisol and a food that you're intolerant to

would increase cortisol at the same time.

Finally, I just wanted to say, don't totally discount candida

overgrowth or milk intolerance. I would never in a million years have

believed I had either - the test results were quite a shock.

Katy

[Guest guest]

All I have to say is it may be your bodies way of preparing you for a

child............

Being up for several hours in the middle of the night is NOT uncommon.

Nanette

Re: pregnancy and insomnia

Hi Filippa,

--- In , " filikara " <filippa91@y...>

wrote:

>

> And now it's my turn to ask for input (about me and not a friend!).

> I'm 35 weeks pregnant now and for the last month at least, I'm often

> awake for several hours during the night. I seem to wake up at 1 or 2

> and can't go back to sleep until 5 or so (like now!).

A lot of what I wrote in the other insomia post would apply here. Gut

overgrowths cause cortisol to be secreted. Gut

bacteria/yeast/fungi/candida are most active during these early

morning hours (most often 3:30-5:00, but it does vary) so that's when

they cause cortisol to be secreted when it should otherwise be very

low. Cortisol wakes people up and makes them feel very alert and

hungry, just like you should be when you start your day.

Another thing that causes gut buggies to be active is any

increase/change in hormones, like ovulation, menstruation, and

pregnancy/breastfeeding. So that definately explains why it's worse

during pregnancy. Many women only get this type of insomnia during

the ovulation and mensturation part of their cycle. (other causes are

alcohol, certain medication, food intolerances, and too many carbs)

Ross, in her book the Mood Cure, describes this type of

night-waking due to cortisol. She states that in her practice, taking

care of the gut overgrowth problem fixes the insomnia in nearly every

case. I never dreamt that I had a gut overgrowth problem because I

eat kimchi every day. After an anti-candida protocol, I have slept

well with the exception of two nights over a 9-week period.

I know insomnia

> is quite common in late pregnancy but I'm just wondering why. I often

> seem to have a bowel movement at this time so I wonder if it's from an

> active liver (i.e. the Chinese medicine idea of the liver being active

> from 1 to 3am). I'm also often hungry at this time and usually have a

> glass of milk (raw of course).

Does raw milk get you back to sleep? I have found that sometimes

eating some carbs (like chocolate, sugar, crackers) makes me sleepy so

sometimes I would drink this to help me fall back to sleep. I've done

a kefir soda that's still a little sweet the two times I've been up

since the anti-candida protocol. Raw milk (and kefir soda) have B6

and raw milk also has B12, which is over-stimulating in some people.

But milk does put some people to sleep.

I'm not suggesting an anti-candida protocol because I have no idea if

it's a good idea during pregnancy. It's probably better to ride things

out if your pregnancy is otherwise going well - no need to rock the

boat. But you might try increasing probiotics (particularly kefir

sodas) and eat milk/grains (and any other potentially allergenic

foods) earlier in the day unless you've tested for them and they are

okay. If you're intolerant to casein, doing kefir milk might be like

slamming the break and gas at the same time - you'd get probiotics

which would decrease cortisol and a food that you're intolerant to

would increase cortisol at the same time.

Finally, I just wanted to say, don't totally discount candida

overgrowth or milk intolerance. I would never in a million years have

believed I had either - the test results were quite a shock.

Katy

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[Guest guest]

> All I have to say is it may be your bodies way of preparing you for a

> child............

>

> Being up for several hours in the middle of the night is NOT uncommon.

>

> Nanette

I guess we would have to look at Price's natives, or an equivalent

group of people, and see whether they had insomnia problems to

determine whether insomnia is optimal for pregnancy. I'm aware it is

very, very common, but so is obesity. And narrow faces. But neither

of these conditions is good. I had normal sleeping habits throughout

my first two pregnancies, but did develop the aforementioned problems

sometime during my third and it was an off-and-on problem after that,

even after I had my fourth. Then became a big problem for me during

the last three years, but very much under control during the last two

months.

Katy

[Guest guest]

You might find an increase in high calcium & magnesium foods help you

to sleep more soundly--additionally it's great pre-birth. The more

cal/mag we get, the easier the birth, helps all those uterine muscles

to function in a smoother fashion. I had been recommended to take a

large dose of liquid calcium at the onset of labor, which I

did--honsetly I've only got one child so I can't tell you if that kept

the labor easier than it would have been otherwise. But I did it, and

birth seemed to go well.

What about some exercise in the morning like walking or swimming, or

just treading water in a pool, or maybe in the evening, some leg

lifts, squats (no weights, just deep squats), and back arches (arching

your back like a bridge, like a cat)? These things can prepare the

muscles for the work of birth, but the physical activity might also

help you sleep more deeply.

Good luck to you!

Cheers, Leann

> >

> > And now it's my turn to ask for input (about me and not a friend!).

> > I'm 35 weeks pregnant now and for the last month at least, I'm often

> > awake for several hours during the night. I seem to wake up at 1 or 2

> > and can't go back to sleep until 5 or so (like now!).

>

> A lot of what I wrote in the other insomia post would apply here. Gut

> overgrowths cause cortisol to be secreted. Gut

> bacteria/yeast/fungi/candida are most active during these early

> morning hours (most often 3:30-5:00, but it does vary) so that's when

> they cause cortisol to be secreted when it should otherwise be very

> low. Cortisol wakes people up and makes them feel very alert and

> hungry, just like you should be when you start your day.

>

> Another thing that causes gut buggies to be active is any

> increase/change in hormones, like ovulation, menstruation, and

> pregnancy/breastfeeding. So that definately explains why it's worse

> during pregnancy. Many women only get this type of insomnia during

> the ovulation and mensturation part of their cycle. (other causes are

> alcohol, certain medication, food intolerances, and too many carbs)

>

> Ross, in her book the Mood Cure, describes this type of

> night-waking due to cortisol. She states that in her practice, taking

> care of the gut overgrowth problem fixes the insomnia in nearly every

> case. I never dreamt that I had a gut overgrowth problem because I

> eat kimchi every day. After an anti-candida protocol, I have slept

> well with the exception of two nights over a 9-week period.

>

>

> I know insomnia

> > is quite common in late pregnancy but I'm just wondering why. I

often

> > seem to have a bowel movement at this time so I wonder if it's

from an

> > active liver (i.e. the Chinese medicine idea of the liver being

active

> > from 1 to 3am). I'm also often hungry at this time and usually

have a

> > glass of milk (raw of course).

>

> Does raw milk get you back to sleep? I have found that sometimes

> eating some carbs (like chocolate, sugar, crackers) makes me sleepy so

> sometimes I would drink this to help me fall back to sleep. I've done

> a kefir soda that's still a little sweet the two times I've been up

> since the anti-candida protocol. Raw milk (and kefir soda) have B6

> and raw milk also has B12, which is over-stimulating in some people.

> But milk does put some people to sleep.

>

> I'm not suggesting an anti-candida protocol because I have no idea if

> it's a good idea during pregnancy. It's probably better to ride things

> out if your pregnancy is otherwise going well - no need to rock the

> boat. But you might try increasing probiotics (particularly kefir

> sodas) and eat milk/grains (and any other potentially allergenic

> foods) earlier in the day unless you've tested for them and they are

> okay. If you're intolerant to casein, doing kefir milk might be like

> slamming the break and gas at the same time - you'd get probiotics

> which would decrease cortisol and a food that you're intolerant to

> would increase cortisol at the same time.

>

> Finally, I just wanted to say, don't totally discount candida

> overgrowth or milk intolerance. I would never in a million years have

> believed I had either - the test results were quite a shock.

>

> Katy

[Guest guest]

Katy, Leann, Nanette. Thanks very much for your replies. My replies below.

Katy:

>Gut overgrowths cause cortisol to be secreted. Gut

bacteria/yeast/fungi/candida are most active during these early morning hours

(most often 3:30-5:00, but it does vary) so that's when they cause cortisol to

be secreted when it should otherwise be very

low. Cortisol wakes people up and makes them feel very alert and hungry, just

like you should be when you start your day.

--> that's really interesting. I hadn't thought of that. That would explain why

I'm alert and hungry at that time. Then get tired again around 5.

>I never dreamt that I had a gut overgrowth problem because I eat kimchi every

day. After an anti-candida protocol, I have slept well with the exception of

two nights over a 9-week period.

--> Yes, my day starts with a kefir smoothie and I usually have a half glass of

kefir grape soda in the evening. But I was prone to candida so it could still be

rampant in my system. So what anti-candida protocol did you follow?

>Does raw milk get you back to sleep? I have found that sometimes

eating some carbs (like chocolate, sugar, crackers) makes me sleepy so

sometimes I would drink this to help me fall back to sleep. I've done

a kefir soda that's still a little sweet the two times I've been up

since the anti-candida protocol. Raw milk (and kefir soda) have B6

and raw milk also has B12, which is over-stimulating in some people.

But milk does put some people to sleep.

--> Nothing seems to get me back to sleep when I wake during those hours. I just

wait it out or get up and do something. So the raw milk has been purely to meet

my hunger. But it sounds like you're suggesting to have kefir soda rather than

raw milk. Mainly I've been trying to have lots of raw milk for the baby's sake.

>Finally, I just wanted to say, don't totally discount candida overgrowth or

milk intolerance. I would never in a million years have

believed I had either - the test results were quite a shock.

--> Thanks Katy. I don't seem to have reactions to milk but I guess I should

have it checked sometime. How did you have it tested? I'd be reluctant to give

up raw milk though as it seems to have done wonders to my health. I wouldn't be

surprised about the candida though.

Leann:

>You might find an increase in high calcium & magnesium foods help you

to sleep more soundly--additionally it's great pre-birth.

--> thanks Leann, I might get a cal/mag supplement and take that before bed.

>What about some exercise in the morning like walking or swimming, or

just treading water in a pool, or maybe in the evening, some leg

lifts, squats (no weights, just deep squats), and back arches (arching

your back like a bridge, like a cat)? These things can prepare the

muscles for the work of birth, but the physical activity might also

help you sleep more deeply.

--> Yes now that I've given up work, I feel more able to get into exercising!

Thank you.

Nanette:

> All I have to say is it may be your bodies way of preparing you for a

> child.........Being up for several hours in the middle of the night is NOT

uncommon.

--> I've heard this too. It's easier to cope with now I've stopped work but it

was hard when I had to get up and go and teach for a whole day. I guess that's

the way with this modern life we lead! Thanks Nanette,

Filippa

[Guest guest]

> --> Yes, my day starts with a kefir smoothie and I usually have a

half glass of kefir grape soda in the evening. But I was prone to

candida so it could still be rampant in my system. So what anti-

candida protocol did you follow?

This was my anitcandida protocol. You'll have to join to read the

message, though I can cut and paste, on this list if you need me

to.

GFCFNN/message/2254

Oh, and I'm not at all an expert on candida. I used to think that

candida was something alternative doctors made up to explain

everything they couldn't explain, so this is all new to me. I

combined a bunch of recommended methods to cover all the bases. And

it worked for me. I can't remember if you do gluten grains, but

I've heard in the gluten-intolerance world, that some people have

really stubborn candida overgrowths.

> --> Nothing seems to get me back to sleep when I wake during those

hours. I just wait it out or get up and do something. So the raw

milk has been purely to meet my hunger. But it sounds like you're

suggesting to have kefir soda rather than raw milk. Mainly I've

been trying to have lots of raw milk for the baby's sake.

I didn't have much luck with eating carbs or drinking milk either,

but it seems to work for some. I was thinking that the kefir soda

in addition to milk, would provide extra probiotics without the

casein but it sounds like you already do this. I agree - you

definitely still need the nutrients in milk for yourself and your

baby – B6, raw fats, D, calcium, etc. You can get these from other

places, but I wouldn't quit milk during a pregnancy if everything's

going well. But you might keep it in mind for later.

> --> Thanks Katy. I don't seem to have reactions to milk but I

guess I should have it checked sometime. How did you have it

tested? I'd be reluctant to give up raw milk though as it seems to

have done wonders to my health. I wouldn't be surprised about the

candida though.

I didn't have a single noticeable reaction at the time. I was

testing for gluten and the lab was doing free milk tests at the time

so I got it for free. (www.enterolab.com) I would have never

checked for casein on my own. I'm glad I did, though, because it

seems to be a significant contributor to my hormonal and candida

overgrowth problems.

Several casein-free people have also noticed that butter and raw

milk did awesome things for their health, but at the same time was

causing some insidious things, unknown to them at the time. We've

discussed ways to get the good effects of raw dairy without the bad

casein problems. But casein might not be a problem for you.

Testing is the only way to know for sure. I just mention it for

future reference. Again, unless I was certain I had a way to get

all the nutrition of raw dairy, I wouldn't quit raw dairy during

pregnancy. But if I developed a problem or my baby got a problem,

like eczema or colic or something, or you still have sleep problems

after pregnancy (other than those associated with the new baby) –

gluten/casein sensitivity would be the first thing I'd check.

Katy

[Guest guest]

This was my anitcandida protocol. You'll have to join to read the

message, though I can cut and paste, on this list if you need me

to. GFCFNN/message/2254

--> thanks Katy, I've joined and read it.

I can't remember if you do gluten grains, but I've heard in the

gluten-intolerance world, that some people have really stubborn candida

overgrowths.

--> I mostly avoid grains though we do have pasta occasionally which I know is

not good.

I wouldn't quit milk during a pregnancy if everything's going well. But you

might keep it in mind for later.

--> I will.

I didn't have a single noticeable reaction at the time. I was

testing for gluten and the lab was doing free milk tests at the time

so I got it for free. (www.enterolab.com) I would have never

checked for casein on my own. I'm glad I did, though, because it

seems to be a significant contributor to my hormonal and candida

overgrowth problems.

--> interesting. I'll keep it in mind and see if I can find similar testing here

in Australia

Again, unless I was certain I had a way to get all the nutrition of raw dairy, I

wouldn't quit raw dairy during pregnancy. But if I developed a problem or my

baby got a problem,

like eczema or colic or something, or you still have sleep problems after

pregnancy (other than those associated with the new baby) - gluten/casein

sensitivity would be the first thing I'd check.

--> yes that will be interesting actually to see how the baby is. I went for

acupuncture treatment yesterday and my liver was weak. I slept like a baby last

night so it could be that. I do have gallstones which haven't bothered me since

I found Weston Price Foundation and changed my diet - Halleluja WPF!!! (it was

Warrior Diet, raw milk and HCL that seemed to fix it). So it could be the

pregnancy has thrown my liver/gallbladder out of wack.

Thanks again - you've been very informative.

Filippa

[Guest guest]

I have been told that pregnancy can tax the kidneys and liver and that

something to do with this may result in either insomnia or very light

sleeping (where you wake feeling unrested). I found that when I took the

herbs I was prescribed, during pregnancy and post-pregnancy, I had wonderful

deep sleeps - the best I've ever had. I stopped taking them a few times,

but the very light sleep was one of the first things I noticed returning.

About 4 months after the birth I was able to stop taking the herbs and none

of the symptoms returned and I still feel great months later.

[Guest guest]

>I have been told that pregnancy can tax the kidneys and liver and that

something to do with this may result in either insomnia or very light

sleeping (where you wake feeling unrested). I found that when I took the

herbs I was prescribed, during pregnancy and post-pregnancy, I had wonderful

deep sleeps - the best I've ever had. I stopped taking them a few times,

but the very light sleep was one of the first things I noticed returning.

About 4 months after the birth I was able to stop taking the herbs and none

of the symptoms returned and I still feel great months later. >

Thanks , I had an acupuncture treatment that showed up weak liver and I've

been sleeping better since the treatment so there probably is a connection. I'm

also thinking of going for a visit to my naturopath/homeopath to get some herbs

or something.

Filippa

[Guest guest]

(nak)

someone mentioned herbs helping with pregnancy-induced insomnia. a friend

wants to know...which herbs?

elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine,

If you mean my post, they were a combination of herbs prescribed by a

doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I don't recall the names as their

Chinese names were listed, and I'm not familiar with them, plus your friend

would need a diagnosis and specific recommendations - TCM treats inbalances

in the body and blockages in the energy flow, rather than using one specific

remedy for a particular complaint. E.g. two people may present with the

same symptom, but for different reasons, so would need different herbs.

>

>someone mentioned herbs helping with pregnancy-induced insomnia. a friend

>wants to know...which herbs?

>elaine

>