Being pregnant is quite a challenge. With all the physical and emotional stress you go through, you require plenty of rest. You might have the notion that sleep deprivation comes after you’ve had the baby, but getting proper sleep is as difficult when you are expecting. As your pregnancy progresses, you will realize that you just can’t get enough of what you need the most. Difficulty sleeping is common throughout your pregnancy, but the third trimester is when it is at its worst. It feels like a practice for what is coming your way. It increases your anxiety or depression and affects your well-being. Here are a few reasons why it’s very difficult to get a good night’s sleep during your pregnancy.
[vs slide=”1″ slide_title=”The Constant Urge To Pee”]
1. The Constant Urge To Pee
When you are pregnant, your kidneys go on overdrive. They filter 50% more blood than they normally do, which automatically results in more urine. In the third trimester, the weight of your little one adds pressure on your bladder, making your condition worse. The frequent need to pee makes it very difficult to sleep through the night without interruption. You should drink more water during the day and reduce your water intake as you approach bedtime. It is not a complete solution, but it will help to some extent.
[vs slide=”2″ slide_title=”Heartburn Or Indigestion”]
2. Heartburn Or Indigestion
A small valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is located between your esophagus and stomach. Its main function is to stop the food and stomach acids from backing up into your esophagus. During pregnancy, your body produces a hormone called progesterone which relaxes muscles. It relaxes the LES due to which you suffer from heartburn that keeps you awake at night. Eating more food during pregnancy can also cause indigestion. Avoid spicy and fatty foods, eat slowly, and try to sleep in a more upright position.
[vs slide=”3″ slide_title=”Your Baby’s Movements”]
3. Your Baby’s Movements
Falling asleep and staying asleep gets difficult when you have an active baby who moves around in your womb all night long. There is nothing much you can do about its movements. It shows that your little one is active and healthy, so you should enjoy them. Soon enough you will get used to them, and it will be less challenging to fall asleep.
[vs slide=”4″ slide_title=”Leg Cramps”]
4. Leg Cramps
Leg cramps are unpleasant and quite painful. They are quite common during pregnancy due to the pressure applied by your baby on certain nerves and reduced blood circulation in your legs. At night, they can easily wake you up from the deepest of sleep. Stretch your muscles and apply an ice pack to reduce the pain. Keep yourself well hydrated and stretch frequently to reduce the occurrence of leg cramps.
[vs slide=”5″ slide_title=”Restless Leg Syndrome”]
5. Restless Leg Syndrome
During pregnancy, you should take nutritious food and nutrient supplements to ensure that your health and your little one’s health are on track. Iron deficiency, which is quite common during those 9 months, is linked to a condition called restless leg syndrome. You will feel a tingling sensation in your legs and an uncontrollable urge to move them. Get up, stretch your legs, and walk around for a while. You will be able to get some shut eye after that. If the condition is severe, consult your doctor.
[vs slide=”6″ slide_title=”The Inability To Find A Comfortable Position”]
6. The Inability To Find A Comfortable Position
It is challenging to find a comfortable position to sleep in when you have a huge belly. When you do find one and fall asleep, changing your position even slightly will cause you to wake up. Use a soft mattress and a body pillow to support the weight of your belly. Get into the habit of sleeping on your left side as the flow of blood to your baby is better on this side.
[vs slide=”7″ slide_title=”The Stress”]
7. The Stress
The thought of your delivery and the challenges you have to face as a mother are always on your mind when you are pregnant. It is next to impossible to make these worries go away. These racing thoughts have you tossing and turning throughout the night. Whenever you feel anxious, take deep breaths, relax, listen to soothing music, or read a book. Calm yourself before you force yourself to fall asleep.
Exercising or practicing yoga regularly will help you sleep better at night. Instead of lying around in bed all day, move around as much as you can. Talk to your partner and ask them to give you a massage. It will relax your body and will give you some relief from the aches and pains your body feels. Try and get some shut eye whenever you can.
