During the First Trimester
During the first trimester, hormones such as progesterone increase in the woman’s body. The progesterone can make the mother to be sleepy as well as increasing the need to urinate. Getting up at night to urinate too often can interrupt sleep to a great extent. Other problems that occur during this time are constipation, sore breasts, and the uterus growing. Also, morning sickness shows up, this nausea can happen at any time of the day or night and can be worse when lying down. With all this going on, it is easy to see why pregnant women cannot sleep soundly!
During Second Trimester
Many women are glad to get into their second trimester. The nausea has subsided somewhat for one thing. They also do not need to urinate as often. Also, these women do not feel as sleepy as they did during their first trimester. This is usually the happiest time during pregnancy. Even though they are gaining weight, they are not yet as big as they will be later on in the pregnancy. However, heartburn can still occur because of the uterus enlarging and placing pressure on the digestive system. It can also become harder to breathe deeply during this time. Women can also become stressed on whether the baby will be okay. All these things can cause sleep disturbance.
During Third Trimester
This trimester is the most challenging for the women need to urinate more frequently again because of pressure on the bladder from the uterus. It is also next to impossible to get comfortable because of the size of the belly. The baby also moves more during this time, which can interrupt sleep big time find out more.
Sleeping Tips
Now that we have explained some of the reason pregnant women have difficulty sleeping, let’s look at some tips that will help them have an easier time sleepy.
1. Supporting the belly and back with a pillow can often help the pregnant woman get into a more comfortable position to sleep. Body pillows are ideal for this.
2. If heartburn is a problem, a woman should sleep with her head propped up a bit with an extra pillow.
3. A snack of some type of protein can help a mother to be sleep sounder. This snack could keep nausea away.
4. Warm milk is soothing, and releases tryptophan that can also increase serotonin in the brain. This can bring on sleepiness.
5. Being in a comfortable position to sleep in is the key throughout pregnancy. From the early part of pregnancy a woman should learn to sleep on her side, this will help her especially in the later stages.
6. Pregnant women should avoid caffeine as much as possible. This is known to disrupt sleep.
7. Meditation can relieve stress before bedtime. This will help relax the mind and body allowing sleep to come more easily.
8. Make sure you are comfortable. This means having comfortable sleepwear that you can rely on. Read this refresher on maternity underwear and make sure you have a comfortable pair you can rest easy in. Then invest in some cosy, breathe easy and loose pyjamas too!
Author: Ricky Howe, the author, enjoys teaching people how to live life healthier and about serotonin and sleep disorders. For more on serotonin and sleep disorders visit http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/
