Why you will have trouble sleeping while pregnant

Sleep is important for every human being. It’s a time when the body cells repair themselves, leaving you fresh and revitalized after a good night’s rest.

For pregnant women, sleep is more important than ever. Your body works tirelessly to develop the baby’s organs and to keep you healthy as well. Sleep is also important for pregnant women because it reduces stress levels that could be harmful to both mother and child when not kept in check.

For one reason or another, some pregnant women end up not getting enough rest at night. The bodily changes as well as psychological aspects all have a part to play when it comes to sleep deprivation.

Below are some of the common reasons why some pregnant women are struggling with sleep and what they can do about it.

This is one of the psychological reasons why pregnant women are sleep deprived. It’s a stage of excitement when you get the news that you are a mother to be but at the same time, a period of anxiety. As the due date nears, expectant women might start to worry whether they will be able to pull through with a healthy delivery and whether they will be good parents. These are some of the worrying questions that can keep a mother-to-be up for a while.

As the baby grows, more pressure will be exerted on the bladder, causing you to rush to the bathroom to pee after a short time. This can be annoying since there is no way to ignore the urge to pee. At the same time, morning sickness and nausea are also a culprit. The nausea feeling can come unexpectedly and disrupt your sleep cycle.

Hormones play major roles during pregnancy. They are necessary for the baby’s development and hormones like progesterone and HCG are produced abundantly. On the flip side, these hormones also have side effects. Progesterone for instance, is known to cause daytime drowsiness so it becomes hard to stick to a regular sleep pattern. The more naps you take during the day, the less sleepy you’ll be at night.

Lack of sleep is also linked to many other factors. Some of the side effects experienced while pregnant can limit you when you are trying to sleep. At time, you might heat up and sweat a lot at night or even struggle with backaches and pains. Also, you might be experiencing cramps at certain points while pregnant so these can also keep you up at night. Other forms of discomforts include digestive problems like heartburn and constipation which are quite uncomfortable.

The good news is that you can help your body relax more so that you get enough sleep at the right time.

First, try and reduce the amount of fluids that you drink at night. This will reduce the number of times you have to pee. You can also try and meditate to ensure that you stay relaxed and induce sleep. Search for calming meditation videos to help guide you and help you get some sleep.

Another way is by dimming the lights an hour or two before bedtime. Bright lights and screen lights don’t make it easier for you to sleep. Dim lights have a calming effect as compared to bright lights.

You can also try aromatherapy. Certain aromas help promote deep sleep and relaxation which is what you need. Check online shops and your local stores for candles that have essential oils like lavender. These will definitely give you a hand when you are trying to sleep.