The changes that occur in a woman’s body during pregnancy can make it difficult to fall asleep. It is always helpful to inform your doctor about sleep disturbances, especially if they negatively affect your quality of life.
What Causes Insomnia During Pregnancy?
The causes of insomnia can be physical, hormonal, emotional, or pathological.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, the main causes of insomnia are hormonal changes, namely increased levels of estrogen and progesterone. These changes lead to frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and increased urination, which can cause nighttime awakenings. Emotional factors also play a role, including the excitement and anxiety experienced by the expectant mother. As for physical causes, they are often overlooked during the first trimester because the changes taking place are generally not yet that significant.
As pregnancy progresses, increasingly significant changes occur in a woman’s body. Starting in the second trimester, fetal movements become noticeable, and the abdomen gradually increases in size. Fetal movements can make it difficult for a pregnant woman to fall asleep and stay asleep. At the same time, she may find it difficult to get comfortable in bed.
Other conditions that contribute to insomnia may also arise, such as heartburn, leg cramps, and tingling sensations in the legs. Toward the end of pregnancy, oxytocin production increases as the body prepares for childbirth. Although this hormone is undoubtedly beneficial for labor and subsequent breastfeeding, it can negatively affect sleep. Naturally, emotional factors become more pronounced during the second and third trimesters, with anxiety increasing as the expected delivery date approaches.
What Are the Associated Symptoms?
In general, insomnia during pregnancy manifests itself in the following ways: difficulty falling asleep within 10–20 minutes of going to bed; inability to fall back asleep after waking up during the night; and waking up early in the morning, followed by a persistent feeling of fatigue and a need for more sleep.
Disrupted and poor-quality sleep prevents pregnant women from getting adequate and restful sleep. Insomnia leads to irritability and stress. Unfortunately, these symptoms can further aggravate sleep disturbances. In some pregnant women, insomnia may cause depressive symptoms. Therefore, if you experience particularly severe mood swings or unusual symptoms associated with insomnia, you should inform your gynecologist immediately.
What Should You Do About Insomnia During Pregnancy?
Specialists at Bogolybu Medical Center point out that, given the potential side effects for the fetus, the use of sleeping pills is contraindicated during pregnancy. Many commonly used medicinal herbs are also contraindicated for pregnant women. The use of chamomile during pregnancy is a rather controversial topic and the subject of considerable debate. In fact, theoretically, chamomile should be avoided during pregnancy because its active ingredients may — especially in high concentrations — have a stimulating rather than a calming effect and may contribute to uterine contractions.
Sometimes simple behavioral measures or minor lifestyle changes can be very effective in overcoming insomnia. In particular, pregnant women experiencing sleep disturbances should avoid spicy foods and stimulants such as tea, coffee, or chocolate before bedtime. It is also important to avoid heavy meals, which can interfere with digestion, worsen heartburn, and make it harder to fall asleep.
Try to go to bed at the same time every night. A warm bath before bedtime can help you relax. If your condition allows, engage in light physical activity. It has been proven that sufficient physical activity helps combat insomnia. Yoga may also be beneficial. If insomnia is caused by pathological factors such as depression, a pregnant woman needs appropriate psychological support from a specialist.
Specialists
ProfileKargol Olena VitaliivnaObstetricians and gynecologists. Doctor of higher categoryExperience: 25 years0
ProfileKushnir Sviatoslav VolodymyrovychObstetricians-gynecologists, Doctor of higher categoryExperience: 24 years0
ProfileMaryschuk Oresta VolodymyrivnaObstetricians-gynecologists, doctor of higher categoryExperience: 24 years0
ProfileRoiko Iryna YirivnaObstetricians-gynecologistsExperience: 7 years0What do we offer in your case?
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