Sleep and pregnancy
Sleep and pregnancy
With all the changes in your body when you are pregnant, one would think you would sleep like a baby. But in reality, pregnancy makes it difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
Your sleep patterns vary throughout your pregnancy. In the first trimester, you may feel overwhelmingly tired and exhausted after doing virtually nothing. It may take a great deal of effort just to make it through dinner without falling asleep.
These feelings often disappear during the second trimester, only to return in the 7th or 8th month of your pregnancy, when the added weight and stress of pregnancy reaches an all time high. Even though you are tired, the other pregnancy related changes may keep you from sleeping, like getting up for the toilet at night, worrying if your baby will be health or whether you will survive labour and motherhood.
Sleep tips for pregnant moms
- Don’t overdue things in the day, or try not to become over-stressed.
- Attend pregnancy exercise classes that include relaxation techniques, like yoga.
- Have regular sleeping and waking times. Don’t be tempted to stay up late if you are too tired.
- Remember that you growing another person so don’t feel guilty about leaving arrangement early if you are tired.
- Avoid stimulants like caffeine or alcohol.
- Warm milk with honey works wonders and is good for heartburn in pregnancy.
- If you are hungry before bed, eat something small and nutritiuos.
- Don’t watch TV in bed.
- Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and cool, and make sure there is enough air. Pregnant women often experience night sweats.
- Invest in decent pillows and adequate linen for the season.
- Choose positions that are comfortable for you. Try out pregnancy cushions to help you sleep better.
- Sometimes taking a warm bath with candles will help relax you.
Article adapted Your Pregnancy magazine
