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Treating Insomnia During Pregnancy

by Cure Anxiety
Filed under: Anxiety Remedies 

Pregnancy is one of the most important, magic, and exciting periods in a woman’s life. It is not surprising, then, that a lot of women may experience sensations that they have never experienced in any other period of their lives. While most of these sensations are pleasant, there can also be some problems, and one of these problems may be insomnia.

In fact, it has been estimated that as many as 75% of all pregnant women suffer some kind of insomnia. The main cause of this is hormonal imbalance, although this is not the only cause. Other reasons for insomnia in pregnant women might be the anxiety, or even panic, of realizing that they are moving into a different world in which they are about to take on the responsibilities of parenthood. Or it might simply be that sleep takes longer to come because they feel uncomfortable in bed due to their new body shape.

In all cases, if insomnia is a consequence of the pregnancy, it is always a good idea to visit your doctor and explain your problem. Most doctors are very reluctant to prescribe medications for insomnia during pregnancy, for obvious reasons. Moreover, it is not a good idea to begin taking strong medications – some of them with serious side effects, and others which may be habit inducing, like sleeping pills – for a disorder that will disappear as soon your baby is born.

So your doctor will almost certainly recommend simple changes in your lifestyle, or other, natural, remedies. However, beware of thinking that you can seek out natural remedies yourself, on the understanding that natural remedies are always mild and harmless. What may be mild and harmless for women under normal circumstances, may not be so harmless for your baby! Always consult your doctor before beginning any treatment – natural or otherwise.

If you’re having trouble falling asleep when you go to bed, some of the following tricks might work just before you go to bed: you can try having a warm (not hot) shower; you could light some scented candles; get your husband to give you a relaxing foot massage; or you could try listening to some soothing music that reminds you of pleasant memories or beautiful places you know and have visited.

The changes in your lifestyle that a doctor might suggest will be related above all to your eating and exercise habits. Obviously, you’ll be recommended not to eat much at night – it’s not a good idea to go to bed feeling hungry, but you should definitely have finished your digestion. And your doctor will probably recommend you to continue exercising: a good walk each day may be just what you – and your baby – need to get that good night’s sleep that you both deserve!

While insomnia during pregnancy is not so serious in itself, and in almost all cases will go away when your pregnancy is over, it should, however, be controlled. Insomnia – in everyone, not just in pregnant women – can lead to irritability and lack of concentration, which can be dangerous. Thus, any disorder that leads to drowsiness and lack of concentration should be treated, in order to avoid unwanted accidents, and this is especially important in the case of pregnant women.

Terry Roberts
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/treating-insomnia-during-pregnancy-118013.html

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Comments

10 Comments on Treating Insomnia During Pregnancy

  1. jinxisratherdifferent on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 12:56 am

    2. I had terrible insomnia in the very beginning. But in the second trimester it went and was replaced with ridiculous energy, sadly though- the insomnia has returned now that I’m due in 17 days. The doctor said this was quite a normal cycle.
    References :

  2. tiroskassie on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 12:58 am

    3. I’m having the same problem with my pregnancy.. I asked the doctor about it the last time that I went to see him and he prescribed Unisom for me to help me out.. Safe to take while pregnant and helps a bit.. Unfortunantly I havent been able to afford to buy any yet, so i’m still suffering :/ But yes, you definently arent alone..

    By the way, I didnt have a problem sleeping with my first child until near the end either, but with this one I had it from the start it seems hehe
    References :
    Mother of 3 & 1/2 year old with another on the way

  3. maegs33 on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:00 am

    4. I did! More with my first pregnancy than with my second. Like the previous poster, my midwife told me to take half a unisom. It’s perfectly safe and actually helps with nausea in the daytime.

    I just figured it was nature’s way of getting me used to staying up all night with a baby, haha.
    References :

  4. ~TnTN~ on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:02 am

    5. YES! You may want to invest in a body pillow. A warm glass of milk would also help (if you can tolerate milk…I couldn’t with my second child). Try to take naps when ever you can. I hope it goes away soon. Good luck.
    References :

  5. Noor on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:04 am

    6. Ha get used to it! It is the worst thing ever. I heard of so many women that slept all the time when they were pregnant but not me I am 38 weeks and still trying to sleep. I hope yours does go away unlike mine. I just started taking unisom which works KIND OF but not even really that much for me. I will sleep 2 hours on then and them I am up and they take like 2 to kick in. BOOO
    References :

  6. emyleeanne on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:06 am

    7. Sometimes I did. My doctor said it was ok to take benedryl. Its for allergies but they recommend it if you have trouble sleeping because it is non-addictive. The joys of motherhood!
    References :

  7. serenity975428 on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:08 am

    8. had insomnia with my first kid and now with pregnant with my second one and still can’t sleep with this one. i was told it was safe to take tylenol pm. very helpful when trying to get to sleep. and can manage to get up the next morning just fine to deal with my son who is one. one thing i did have happen when taking the tylenol pm is that it does drug the kiddo too and might not feel them move as much until it wears off them too. but doesn’t hurt them at all. made me worry the first time i took it because didn’t relize it would happen. but doesn’t hurt them at all and you get some sleep.
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  8. Katrina C on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:10 am

    9. Unfortunately I too have insomnia. That’s y I’m on here at 12:30 at night and i’ve been up since 12:00 last night well I guess it would be morning wouldn’t it. Anyways my eyes are all bugged out of my head and I look like a weirdo. I’m due in 10 days and I think I have alot on my mind. hopefully this doesn’t continue for the next 10 days cuz once the baby is born I’m never gonna get sleep. Good Luck to all those out there who cannot sleep!
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  9. Jen on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 1:12 am

    10. I had serious insomnia for most of my pregnancy. I’m 39 weeks pregnant and it just recently got a little better. However, as soon as the insomnia subsided, my bladder kicked in.

    Now I can sleep, but I wake up every 2 hours to use the bathroom. I’m so flipping tired it isn’t funny, and it’s distressing to think it’ll get worse when the baby comes.

    I tried to stay hydrated during the day, go for walks (keep your energy up during the day), AVOID naps at all costs, and go to bed as late as possible. I hoped I would be so exhausted by that time that I’d sleep at least a few solid hours.

    Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. Insomnia is just one of those things you have to deal with. Just make yourself as comfortable as possible… I’d stretch out with a good book and wait for my eyes to get tired. At least I was relaxed.

    With a 5 mo. old in the house, I say embrace your insomnia. At least you’re up at night to take care of her. Work out a deal with hubby… when you CAN sleep, he needs to care for her, no questions asked. If you’re awake, you can handle her, but you definitely need your rest.
    References :

  10. punkinbutt'smama on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 8:54 am

    11. Did you experience insomnia with pregnancy?
    I am only a few weeks pregnant and am having the worst insomnia! With my first pregnancy I never had trouble sleeping – only towards the end when I was so big and uncomfy. But now, I am sleepy during the day, but at night I can’t sleep! I really need to be sleeping b/c I have a 5 month old daughter who will be up at the crack of dawn ready to be taken care of. Any ideas on how to safely treat this insomnia? If you did have it during your pregnancy, did it eventually go away?

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