Insomnia is a common disorder in people. But sleeping difficulties especially affect one human group: pregnant women. According to the Spanish Ministry of Health, about 65% of women claim to have difficulties falling asleep throughout their pregnancy.
During pregnancy there are different times or stages, in which different factors can affect the quality of sleep. The causes of insomnia, whether physiological or psychological, vary from quarter to quarter.
In this article, we will tell you about the various reasons that affect the sleep of pregnant women, according to the stage of pregnancy. Also, we will give you some practical tips that will help you improve your sleep quality. Finally, we will talk about treatments to combat insomnia. At the best fertility clinic london you can have the best choices.
Insomnia early in pregnancy
Increased tiredness may be one of the first signs of pregnancy. This leads to increased drowsiness. The woman’s body is preparing to house another being, so the blood volume increases. This increased flow in the veins, added to an increase in the pulse, require a greater rest to recover energy.
Insomnia early in pregnancy is not very frequent. Furthermore, at this stage it is not generated by physiological causes derived from pregnancy.
Insomnia in pregnancy: first trimester
Upon learning that she is pregnant, the woman may begin to experience concerns that lead to insomnia. Among the main causes of sleep disorders in pregnant women are those of a psychological nature. Anxiety and fears for pregnancy, for the health of the fetus, among others.
In the first trimester, most miscarriages occur. If the pregnancy is risky, nervousness and poor sleep become common. Don’t hesitate to talk to your partner, family or a professional, so they can help you cope with these concerns.
On the other hand, hormones begin to generate changes in your body. This can also lead to difficulties in falling asleep. It is proven that the duration of the REM (deep sleep) phase in pregnancy is getting shorter. This factor also leads to rest being less effective.
One last aspect in the first trimester is the problem of nausea, which is very frequent at this stage. Dizziness and vomiting may affect some women at night, causing difficulty sleeping.
Insomnia in pregnancy: second trimester
- As the pregnancy progresses properly, worries decrease. You may rest better at this stagealthough, in many cases, nausea is still present in this trimester. Accumulating weeks of nausea would make you sleep worse and worse, but you should keep in mind that you cannot self-medicate. If dizziness and insomnia continue, the answer is to visit your doctor.
- In the fifth or sixth month, it is likely that some discomfort will begin that you will have to live with until delivery. We refer to the weight and volume of the belly, which as it grows compresses the stomach and bladder. This can lead to heaviness, gastroesophageal reflux, and an urge to urinate in the middle of the night. If these symptoms occur, they will prevent you from having a restful sleep.
At this time, your sleeping posture begins to be relevant. If you usually sleep on your stomach, you will have to find another position at bedtime. You can use pillows and cushions to help you be more comfortable in bed.
