Pregnancy has it’s ups and downs. Given the initial excitement of finding out the good news, most women are in for a little shock when it comes to quality of sleeping. Pregnancy can take it’s toll on those nighttime zzzz’s. Here are some suggestions to help make dreamtime a little more relaxing.
It’s true that in the 2nd trimester most women feel better and sleep better. This is after the morning sickness and before the heaviness. However, sleep can be evasive, even then. Here is a look at the trimester breakdown and how it effects sleep and what to do to possibly help.
First trimester can bring on morning sickness. This plagued me with my first and third pregnancies. With my first pregnancy - I had morning sickness around the clock. Even trying to sleep was a struggle. I literally had a bucket by my bed just in case. As ironic as it sounds, eating a light snack before bedtime can help to alleviate the symptoms and help to insure a better night’s sleep. If you do suffer from morning sickness, have some saltine crackers by your bedside to eat before rising to help ease into the morning. Usually the extreme fatigue of the first trimester brings most mommies a good nights rest.
Second trimester may be the easiest. However, some women are plagued with sciatica (sciatic nerve pain that runs from the lower back through the buttocks and down the legs). A nice warm bath will both relax and ease the pain. Placing a pillow between the knees and thighs also helps.
Third trimester brings on the heaviness and probably the most uncomfortable time during the entire pregnancy. If you haven’t lost your mucus plug, taking a warm bath will help relax the stressed muscles. If you can’t take a bath, a warm shower will do nicely. Wear comfortable clothing, if any at all, and keep the room temperature comfortable. Place pillows between your knees and thighs and place one or two behind your back and at your bulging tummy - for support. This helps to keep your back from aching, to keep you from rolling over onto your back - which is not recommended for sleeping. You may even try a pillow under your feet.
Because it is important to drink lots of water during pregnancy - this can add to nightly bathroom trips. Try to get your water intake in at least an hour before bedtime, this way you won’t have to go quite as often. Although the first and third trimester are notorious for the number of bathroom runs in a day.
A stuffy nose, which occurs often during pregnancy, can be bothersome to those slumbering hours. Try some saline nose drops to help alleviate the stuffiness. Check with your doctor for safe over the counter drugs to help.
All in all, pregnancy and sleep sometimes will not mix too well. Do what you can to make yourself more comfortable and keep telling yourself that this will come to a close soon - pregnancy does have a definite end. Then you won’t have any trouble sleeping - except for those night time feedings and diaper changes. Now that is material for another article! Until then, sweet dreams!
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My name is Lori Ramsey. My education consists of a diploma in Business Data Processing. I also successfully completed two courses with the Famous Writers School on Basic Writing and Fiction Writing. I am a mother of two children ages 4 and 2. I am currently pregnant with my third child, due to be born in early November.
Embarking on first conception then parenting, I realize how ignorant I was at the beginning. Knowledge is power and since I have literally devoured books, magazines, and online articles on the subject of conception and pregnancy. I honestly feel I know more than the average "public" about this subject. And was shocked at how little I actually didn't know before!
My hobbies, as such, revolve around being a mother and a wife. Being a writer has been a long time dream - even to the point that I have written 16 chapters in a fiction novel and numerous articles (non published). And at present, I am focused on my pregnancy, enjoying each moment and loving the expressions on my children's faces as my belly grows. I am involved in my church, working with the nursery and am one of the leaders of the worship dance ministry. And lastly, but certainly not least, I love surfing the web!
Lori is a Contributing writer for The Baby Corner as well as for Suite 101 Preconception: Trying To Conceive.
