My doctor wants me to have a sleep study because she wants to rule out sleep apnea (http://health.yahoo.com/health/centers/sleep_disorders/123.html). There are some physical attributes in my throat that make me more likely to get sleep apnea, as well as being overweight and having a genetic tendency toward it.

Sleep apnea is serious, even life threatening in some cases.

I cosleep, with my almost 10 month old being the primary little one who relies on me. My older two kiddos would be fine with DH. Jadon sleeps in my arms and nurses through the night. Since he has started solids, his night nursing is reduced, but a night without me would be different for him. DH is good with him and would probably be able to get through the night - but perhaps with very little sleep.

I am not a good pumper. I have a hospital grade pump and have never done well with pumping even with this one. My main problem is that I do not relax.

I am wondering has anyone done a sleep study? Can you tell me what to expect? Has anyone gone a night away from a nursing baby?

My baby does not take a bottle - haven't tried and to be honest I'd rather not get him used to a bottle for a one night thing. He does drink from a regular cup very well. My thought is that I might try to pump and then have DH give DS breastmilk in a cup if he needs/wants it.

I have never tried it, but I think a pump I would do better with is the whisper wear (http://www.whisperwear.com/). My main problem with pumping is that I cannot relax - not even to nurse on one side and pump on the other. I think this pump would be a better option for me because I could wear it and just go about doing whatever. Or could I. ??? Any experience w/ this pump?

If I cannot pump enough for one night, I am wondering if it would be possible to top my baby up with breastmilk before leaving and then just having DH give baby water or food if he is hungry or thirsty. My baby is a very good eater.

My first thought was to just ignore my doctor about the sleep study BUT I also know that sleep apnea is something that really needs to be addressed if nothing else, for the sake of my children having a healthy mama. I am not feeling rested. Honestly, I don't think I have sleep apnea - I think I don't feel rested because of this season in my life (a baby that needs me) and because I have some hormonal things going on that lead to insonmnia.

I am going to bumpity bump because I need some ideas.

Helllllooooooo - input from pumping mamas? :)

Mamas who know anything about sleep studies?

~Rondi~

Hi Rondi,
I am an RT so I can at least tell you about what to expect. (also mt dh had this) He has OSA, and uses CPAP at night.
You go in the evening they have you get into a hosp gown. they hook up electrodes to your chest to monitor heart rate and breathing. electrodes on your head to monitor neurological issues as well. You will watch tv or read until you get tired. when you are tired you let the tech know and they plus in your wires, put a CPAP on you and away you go. They monitor everything while you sleep. When you wake up they disconnect everything and send you on your way. A doc reads the formal study and makes a determination.
The whisper wear sounds like it may be helpful for you. MAybe you can start pumping a few days ahead of time and freeze the BM for DS so he has some comfort while you are away. Maybe have dh wake up with him a couple times so it isn't SO foreign to him.

Honestly if it were me, I'd put it off a little bit but that's me and I don't know how medically pressing this is for you. In another couple of months, the baby will be that much bigger and probably better able to make it through the night without you there.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Ann

I've thought about putting if off a bit but...
1) If I do have sleep apnea, it is a potentially dangerous thing - and danger issues aside, my fatigue (which might be related to sleep apnea ??? might not) impacts my mothering. In essence, I feel I would be a better mother if I got better quality sleep. Wouldn't we all? :)
2) A sleep apnea diagnosis would help with health insurance issues.

I have waited over a month and the only reason I am considering it now is that DD is starting to sleep on her own (in our room, in our bed or nearby toddler bed) and my baby is well into solid foods so that I know he is not hungry at night. Yeah, emotionally he wants me with him -- and if my other two are any indicator of how long he will want me with him emotionally, we are talking years away.

This is a very difficult decision for me. I have never been away from any of my babies this long. If I do decide to go through with it, it is honestly more for them - to help resolve some of my issues so I can be a more energetic, healthy mother.

It is a very hard choice. :(

Rondi

I had to be in the hospital overnight when Joshua was 5 months old, and I had put together a stash of milk, tried to prep the family, so forth....but you know, he slept all night, only fussed once, when Daddy comforted him he went back to sleep!

The few times I was gone for a birth in his first year of life, I was always stunned at how well he did without me!

If I was in your shoes, I would absolutely go for the test. I would have DH take the following day off just in case it was a long night for him and he didn't get much sleep, and then trust that he and the little one will do just fine! Even if you can get one bottle of EBM for the middle of the night, or leave rice milk for an emergency, they will be fine!

You will be surprised, and it sounds like taking care of yourself at this point is doing best for your little one too...

Keep us posted so we can pray or send positive thoughts that day!

:)

Originally posted by joyfuljourneys
If I was in your shoes, I would absolutely go for the test. I would have DH take the following day off just in case it was a long night for him and he didn't get much sleep, and then trust that he and the little one will do just fine! Even if you can get one bottle of EBM for the middle of the night, or leave rice milk for an emergency, they will be fine!
:ditto: I wouldn't put off the study, either. A well-rested and healthy mama is worth the one night away.