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I Don't Know If I Have Slept!

by Alison
(UK)

Hi there,

I have a young, sleepless baby and for eight months had terrible insomnia which thankfully is resolving now. However, I still find it hard to take a nap. But sometimes during the day I lie down to try to take a nap, then suddenly sit up, heart pounding, and I feel like I haven't slept at all. But when I look at my watch I may have been there for 45 minutes. It is as if I have spent so many months not being able to sleep, and being so alert for the baby that I have got this strange phenomenon now where I don't believe I have slept, or at least, am SO alert the MOMENT I wake, there is no period that feels like "waking up" it is as if I go from sleep, to immediate total wakefulness that I genuinely DONT know if I have slept! The only way I know is that in the afternoon I find that I do feel better, that I must have had a nap. Or my husband tells me I was asleep.

Does this have a name? Is it just an anxiety of some kind?

Can you please be sensitive in your answer as I am only getting over insomnia and as you know am still so open to suggestion and am so relieved to be getting over insomnia and being able to (apparently!!) nap after a sleepless night. Thanks!




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I Don't Know If I Have Slept!

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Aug 30, 2011
 Yes, the baby is guilty
by: Hawkmoon

Female body goes through immense changes during pregnancy, with all those hormons raging and baby growing inside you. And after the birth the chemical rollercoaster just goes into higher gear, body produces oxytocine to enable breast milk production and adrenaline is produced to always be watchfull over baby. So it's no wonder you're in constant state of readiness to provide for your baby, even if it means less sleep for you.
On other hand, afternoon naps are really powerful tool for resting. You see, brain needs his time off, yet he doesn't need much time, and you being a fresh mom means you can't afford much time to rest as well. Whenever your baby falls asleep, you get some time that you probably spend on household stuff or your husband, and you don't think about resting. So if you can shut down your brain in that 30-45 mins of afternoon nap, use it whenever possible. Your body does not enter sleep mode, so you don't feel any usual "wake up" slumber, and what you experience is Adrenaline rush that wakes you up. Having a nap is perfectly normal and healthy way to rest your brain, as long as you have it while in middle of talk with your hubby :)
Mar 23, 2012
 guess what i have for you NEW
by: Anonymous

What time r u coming to get me.want to stop so u can my Mom ms. Never mind tell u later.i have something for you!guess what it is?
Mar 24, 2012
 guess what i have for you NEW
by: Anonymous

What time r u coming to get me.want to stop so u can my Mom ms. Never mind tell u later.i have something for you!guess what it is?

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