Pregnancy Insomnia – Causes and Treatment
Over 70% of women experience pregnancy insomnia. The condition is very reasonable and never harmful to the baby. The question is, what causes pregnancy insomnia, and how is it treated?
When pregnant, the majority of women get less sleep. When sleep quality deprives, insomnia becomes a possibility, and one could feel extra fatigued. Understanding the significant causes of pregnancy insomnia enables you to craft indisputable remedies. Below are the causes and treatments of insomnia during pregnancy.
What is insomnia?
Whenever a person has an inadequate sleep, they have insomnia. There are so many causes of poor-quality or insufficient sleep. For instance, when a person experiences difficulties when falling asleep or keeps waking up at night and unable to fall asleep again, they are considered to have insomnia.
Insomnia when pregnant
The majority of women believe that insomnia is possible after the baby is born. Nonetheless, pregnancy insomnia is a possibility during the first trimester all through to the last trimester of the pregnancy. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Exhaustion is common with pregnancies, and instead of one relaxing at night, insomnia takes the better part of the stage instead. Therefore, when pregnant, you will always find yourself having trouble sleeping or staying asleep. Even though no one enjoys insomnia, it is not harmful to you or the baby.
What are the causes of pregnancy insomnia?
Being unable to sleep in the wee hours is quite reasonable when pregnant. Here are the major causes.
- Body changes which affect sleeping positions
The structural changes in the body will always rule out some of your regular sleeping styles. Changes in sleeping positions tend to deprive your sleep quality. Your ability to catch sleep will be disrupted.
The pregnancy will always make it impossible for you to spot a remarkable and comfortable sleeping style. The idea of having a big belly and trying to sleep with it weakens your sleeping abilities.
- Anxiety
For first-time moms, the idea of being pregnant makes them nervous and anxious. Anxiety makes one stressed, and stress is one of the major causes of sleepless nights. When blended with the changes in your body, fear will always keep you awake in the wee hours of the night.
- Pain
A significant percentage of pregnant women experience different types of pain now and then. Today, you might be having back pain, cramps, headache, lower abdominal pain, or even stomach ache. Whether the pain is mild, moderate, or severe, insomnia becomes a possibility.
You cannot fall asleep when in pain. As your pregnancy advances, you will record different types of pain. The pain might make you anxious hence awake all through the nights.
- Hormonal fluctuation
Right from the time the egg gets fertilized, your body will record hormonal fluctuations. As your hormones record the changes, your body tends to experience the effects. As a result, you will be dealing with insomnia.
- An increased urge to pee
Pregnant women keep visiting the restrooms to pee. Your body will experience changes, and some hormones always keep you channeled to the bathroom to urinate due to the changes. The more you wake up at night to pee, the harder it will be for you to catch sleep again.
As the body is assuming its position in the uterus, your bladder gets pressured. The exerted pressure tends to lessen the bladder’s capacity to contain large amounts of urine. As a result, you will have an urge to pee or urinate often.
- Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is not that common, but some pregnant women experience it. Snoring when pregnant means you have trouble breathing. When your snoring remains persistent, it deems fit that you seek medical attention. Sleep apnea can be dangerous to you and the baby since it causes you to stop breathing, for a short time, several times at night.
- Breast tenderness
Your breasts will record changes. Breasts tend to swell and become tender when pregnant. The sensitivity increases breast sensation when touched or in contact with the clothes or any other thing. Breast tenderness is, therefore, a significant cause of insomnia among pregnant women.
- Morning sickness
A substantial number of pregnant women have morning sickness. You can never tell when you will have that nauseous feeling or when you will vomit. When you have nausea at night, your sleep quality will get disrupted.
- Heartburns
Bloating, stomach pains, and constipation becomes possible when pregnant. Many pregnant women get heartburns as the gas penetrates through the esophagus. The heartburns will always keep you awake at night.
Diagnosis
During your prenatal visits, your OB-GYN gets to diagnose sleep insomnia. You cannot have tests carried out, but the info you avail makes diagnosis easier. Always air your sleeping difficulties during the visits.
Treatment
You cannot receive a prescription for pregnancy insomnia. Nonetheless, there are instances when your doctor prescribes a sleeping pill. You may consider consulting with your doctor before taking medicine.
Your doctor will recommend some home remedies that you need to try to combat insomnia. Here are the solutions.
- Forge remarkable sleeping habits
When pregnant, you stand a chance of fighting insomnia when you define a definite sleeping time. You need to understand the best time for you to retire to bed.
You should avoid watching before you sleep since that light will affect your sleep. Before you sleep, ensure to listen to something soothing and also take a relaxing bath.
- Pay a keen eye to your diet and exercise often
Physical activities help you and the baby. Therefore, you need to make sure that you take some walks or you exercise as regularly as possible during the day.
Your diet must be balanced, and you need to avoid overeating at night. A prenatal vitamin a day will help supplement your nutrient intake. Always examine foods that give you heartburns and prevent them.
- Stay hydrated
You need to increase your water intake. Nonetheless, after seven P.M, endeavor to avoid drinks by all means possible. Also, you should stay clear of caffeine.
- Enhance comfort
Your bedroom’s temperature must be moderate. Make sure the bed is comfortable as well as the beddings. When lying down, endeavor to remain comfortable. As your belly increases, ensure to sleep on your side and place a pillow in between the knees.
Where you are unable to sleep during the night, you should consider practicing the above remedies. Sleep inducing substances, medication, or supplements should are dangerous. There are instances when your doctor prescribes sedatives that will help you remain functional.