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Restless sleep during pregnancy. Sleep and pregnancy: how to establish a good rest? Sleep problems

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which there is poor falling asleep, insufficient duration or quality of sleep for a long time. Many pregnant women experience sleep disturbance right from the first weeks of bearing a child, which is associated with a hormonal shake-up of the body. Particularly sensitive to insomnia are those women who have never encountered this problem before. The situation is complicated by the fact that in this position, the expectant mother needs to get enough sleep and it is undesirable to overwork, so it is necessary to fight insomnia during pregnancy. Knowing the causes of insomnia and studying the processes that take place all 9 months in the body will help get rid of sleep disorders.

Types of insomnia

Sleep disorders that have general symptoms, namely the inability to fall asleep for a long time, is called insomnia (or asomnia).

asomnia (a + lat. somnus - sleep). Insomnia, sleep disturbance. Difficulties in falling asleep intermittent sleep with frequent awakenings at night, superficial sleep, or early awakening and inability to go back to sleep.

There are three types of asomnia: transient, short-term and chronic.

  1. Transient. Transient or situational insomnia during pregnancy is mostly associated with episodes caused by a surge of experiences of a joyful or sad nature. The sleepless state continues until the emotions subside and life goes on as usual. In this case, a good saying is: you know less, you sleep better. The expectant mother needs to protect herself from sources of unpleasant information, and her entourage needs to take care of her social circle and positive attitude reigning in the family. Such insomnia lasts no more than a week and does not need special treatment.
  2. Short-term. Short-term insomnia is associated with more significant causes - physiological processes occurring in the body during pregnancy, stress, medication, heart disease. This type of insomnia can last for about a month, and during this period the body of a pregnant woman can suffer significantly. If sleep disturbances have been disturbing for more than a week, you should immediately contact a specialist. It is impossible to get rid of the problem on your own, because true reason only a doctor can recognize.
  3. Chronic. Chronic asomnia is the most severe form of insomnia that does not occur on empty place. It suffers for months, and a similar condition can cause both mental and physical illnesses. It is much less common than the previous ones, however, in any case, this is a reason to see a doctor. If a chronic disease bothered a pregnant woman before, then the methods of dealing with it will have to be adjusted, since previous drugs can harm the baby.

Why is insomnia dangerous for pregnant women?

According to statistics, approximately 80% of pregnant women face the problem of lack of sleep. Many experts consider this condition as one of the signs of pregnancy at an early stage, as well as the state of drowsiness.

Why is insomnia so dangerous during pregnancy? Of course, a woman gets tired quickly during the day, because everyday things are no longer done with such ease as before. The position of the future mother obliges her to protect not only herself, but also the baby from sudden movements, frequent bending and lifting weights.

Any action requires concentration, and insomnia reduces it and causes additional stress. In her position, a pregnant woman can very easily get injured, even performing the simplest movements, whether it is taking a shower or a leisurely walk. Against the background of an unstable hormonal balance, irritability appears, which occurs even because of trifles.

The main causes of sleep disturbance during pregnancy

As the gestational age increases, the physiological causes insomnia. It has been noticed that for more later dates it appears many times more often and manifests itself much more powerfully. The most common causes of insomnia are:

  • problems in choosing a comfortable position, because the stomach has grown and the weight has increased ();
  • pulling pains in the lumbar region and back;
  • active fetal movement;
  • leg cramps;
  • increased urge to urinate;
  • pronounced due to skin stretch marks;
  • dyspnea.

Psychological reasons also become prerequisites for sleepless nights during pregnancy. Among them note:

  • chronic fatigue;
  • nervous tension;
  • stressful situations;
  • concern for the health of the child;
  • fear of childbirth;
  • nightmares.

The nature of insomnia is diverse, but it is imperative to deal with it. bad the physical state and psychological problems should be warned, and if insomnia has already appeared, learn to resist it.

Hormones and insomnia

First trimester. As the pregnancy progresses, there are more and more reasons for insomnia. Most often, this situation is associated with the restructuring of the hormonal system of the body. At the beginning of pregnancy, estrogens (hormones of the first phase menstrual cycle) give way to progesterone - the hormone of the second phase. Otherwise, it is called the guardian of pregnancy. An increase in progesterone levels brings the body into a state of full readiness, aiming it exclusively at bearing the fetus. Accordingly, even at night, this hormone does not allow the body of the expectant mother to relax and rest, so proper sleep is impossible.

Second trimester. With the onset of the second trimester of pregnancy, the overall picture partially changes, and night sleep getting better. By this time, the woman's body is already adapting to the hormonal surge: there is a relative stability of the nervous system, the pelvic organs, including bladder, intestines and liver, have learned to adapt to the growing uterus. The work of all organs is normalized, and the stomach has not yet grown so much as to interfere with restful sleep.

Third trimester. The third trimester in pregnant women is again accompanied by insomnia, it is increasingly difficult to find a comfortable position for rest. Women who have the habit of sleeping on their stomach or back find it very difficult to adapt to a different position. During this period, physiological discomfort is observed: the expectant mother develops heartburn, which aggravates in the supine position, back and lower back pain occurs, and even at rest, shortness of breath appears. By this time, the stomach reaches such a size that it is difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position.

The situation becomes more alarming closer to childbirth from regular lack of sleep and emotional unrest, often turning into nightmares. Because of this, sleep becomes more disturbing and short. A woman restlessly listens to her well-being, expecting contractions, feels every movement of the fetus, which does not allow her to relax and fall asleep. The third trimester of pregnancy is accompanied by another hormonal surge: the level of progesterone drops sharply before childbirth. The reason for poor sleep and difficulty falling asleep can be training uterine contractions that occur a few days before childbirth.

How to overcome insomnia


You can fight insomnia in situational ways. There are factors that will help make a night's sleep strong and stable:

  1. We avoid tension - the accumulated fatigue does not always lead to a long-awaited sleep, sometimes a woman simply cannot relax.
  2. We give up the habit of sleeping during the day - perhaps the night's sleep will be able to recover.
  3. We share nightmares with a close and understanding person - psychologists believe that a dream spoken aloud helps to understand that there is no danger nearby.
  4. We avoid emotional tension in the evening - we refuse to sort things out, unpleasant conversations and do not watch action movies at night.
  5. We do not use liquid in large quantities at night - the need for frequent emptying of the bladder will disappear, and as a result, the need to get out of bed at night.
  6. We use homeopathic remedies if recommended by a specialist.
  7. We have sex - if there are no contraindications, but there is a desire, then why not try this method?
  8. We choose comfortable clothes for sleeping - preferably pajamas made from natural materials that do not restrict movement.
  9. We are not nervous and think only about the good.

And most importantly - if nothing helps and you want to resort to drug treatment, immediately inform the doctor about this. No advice from friends and immediate family can replace the experience of a specialist. Only he can choose the right safe medicine for a pregnant woman without harming her unborn child.

How to help yourself


Causes of insomnia during pregnancy different terms different, therefore, different ways of dealing with it. For the first trimester, manipulations are suitable that help maintain a certain daily routine and nutrition:

  • Create a habit of going to bed at the same time, preferably before 23:00;
  • The last meal should be postponed for three hours before going to bed, so that the stomach has time to free itself from food during this time;
  • The usual coffee and tea will have to be abandoned, replacing them with a glass of warm milk, which has a slight calming and sedative effect;
  • You can use herbal infusions of chamomile and mint without fear, but with regard to the rest you need to be more careful - you should consult a doctor about their compatibility with pregnancy;
  • Character water procedures should be reconsidered - abandon relaxing hot baths and contrast showers, which increase vascular tone and increase blood circulation, in favor of dousing with warm water;
  • Walking before going to bed for an hour will relax and help you fall asleep, and airing the room works in a similar way.

The third trimester of pregnancy is characterized by several types of insomnia: starting, with sleep disturbance when falling asleep; inability to maintain a state of sleep, with constant awakenings and insufficient immersion in sleep; late-phase insomnia with early awakening and inability to fall asleep again before the time of awakening.

  • With initial insomnia, it is recommended to take a position lying on the left side (), which improves the blood supply to the baby, the work of the kidneys and intestines of the expectant mother;
  • Pillows can be placed between the legs and under the stomach, and the head can be raised with;
  • To prevent cramps, you can massage the calf muscles, back and lower back, feet and ankle joints;
  • From frequent awakenings during sleep, an orthopedic mattress will help, which helps to adopt the correct position of the spine, relax muscles, and relieve vascular spasms;
  • When itching in the abdomen, you can use moisturizers, and to prevent it, you should try not to gain weight abruptly;
  • Wearing a bandage during the day partially reduces nighttime discomfort.

Video: how to sleep during pregnancy

Pregnant women who pay attention to fitness for expectant mothers are much less likely to complain of insomnia and pain in their limbs. Of course, marathon distances in this position will not work, but yoga, Pilates, swimming and stretching are quite within the power of any healthy woman. Good results are also shown by the mastery of relaxation techniques, which are taught in courses for pregnant women in preparation for childbirth. Of course, not every woman has the opportunity to attend such courses, but if desired, relaxation techniques can be found on the Internet.

It happens that all methods are tried, but sleep does not come. At the same time, one should not fall into despair, as well as lose one's temper. After waiting half an hour, you need to get up and do some monotonous things that do not cause a surge of emotions. Calm music, knitting, guessing crossword puzzles, reading a book, talking to yourself, playing solitaire will help you tune in to a calm and peaceful mood. For some, peeling potatoes finally helps. Creative activities that captivate and excite, it is better to postpone until the morning.

In borderline cases, when the rhythm of sleep and wakefulness has gone astray to such an extent that the time of night rest is no more than 4-6 hours, and this condition has been observed for more than a week, you should immediately contact specialists. The gynecologist will determine if there are physiological reasons for insomnia, the therapist will study general state health, and a psychologist will advise how to get rid of a psychological disorder. Preparing for the birth of a child is work that requires considerable strength, which should be regularly restored.

Can't sleep? Baby pushing? Can't find the right sleeping position? The cause of insomnia is not always in a growing tummy. How to deal with hormonal changes and what can a pregnant woman afford in the fight against lack of sleep, except for milk with honey? Ekaterina Ishchenko, in an attempt to fall asleep, was looking for the right position for sleeping under the supervision of the head Women's consultation No. 25 Elena Farafonova:

Pregnant women write on the forums

I feel like I'm about to go to hell! Dear girls, help with advice! Already desperate! I have been pregnant for 7 months, but for several months now I have been falling asleep at 3 am, despite the fact that I go to bed at 23, I lie, I think all sorts of stupid things come into my head, while I can scratch my face (pick up the pimples that have now appeared) bite my nails (already some stumps were left) I understand that it’s all disgusting, but I can’t cope with it, then I fall asleep at 3-4 hours, and in the morning I get up and hate myself for what I did (((I went to the doctor, advised valerian, doesn’t help (I drink mint, milk with honey at night, it doesn’t help either (What should I do ??? I just turned into such a scumbag with anami on my face and gnawed nails ((my husband also does not sleep because of me, but he has to work get up at 6, and do a massage to relax, but it doesn’t help (Has anyone had something similar?

>> glycine, at night, I drank 1-2 tablets, it has no contraindications, you can drink a week, then take a break ... well, or every other day, if you're afraid, 1 tablet each. And keep yourself busy, I read in the kitchen, since you can’t sleep, watch TV, don’t force yourself. Sleep during the day if you can't sleep at night. This is so for many, then it will pass.

I also tried soothing teas and Persenchik, but strictly at 3.00 my eyes opened and I was awake until 5. Yes, and a small one in the tummy also raged at such a time. She saved herself by reading, listening to soothing music - songs of dolphins, the sound of the sea, etc. It was at the first ber-ti ....
And now… The older one is so exhausted that I fall asleep earlier than him and barely get up in the morning. Maybe I’ll go on maternity leave, I’ll rest more, then insomnia will overtake me. In general, this is normal - you are worried about the future, the baby pushes and does not let you sleep, the body is preparing to wake up at any time of the night

I take a shower before bedtime and a couple of valerian tablets .... I also don’t sleep at night ... and after valerka, after a while, it starts to pull me to sleep)))

I had such a period, I didn’t sleep at all at night, then during the day I walked like a zombie ... the doctor said that this happens, this is due to hormones

There are very good way overcome insomnia)) Choose the thing that you don’t like to do around the house most of all (really don’t like it, just for no reason at all) and when you can’t sleep, do it, after a while the dream will come)))

do not suffer))) read books, do something around the house, just relax))) I also sat at night with insomnia

and suffered, and roared (even when it was necessary to work), then I realized that this time should be used with benefit: read, clean, wash: gy:
I tried (sometimes it worked out) like this: sit on the bed in the dark, stare at one point, covering yourself with a blanket and sip hot tea with milk, with a bit of honey (it was +25 on the street)))). And sometimes, on the contrary, she went to another room and lay on the couch without hiding in order to freeze))), they supposedly fall asleep from the cold (although again in the summer in this heat it was wildly difficult to freeze)))). That's how it rolled a couple of times.

walk more. At night, warm milk with honey is possible. As I remember, I will shudder, as they say. In the summer it's so hot, the belly is huge, and ... insomnia all night. The beauty!

Every person needs proper sleep, pregnancy greatly increases the need for rest, so it is especially important for expectant mothers. But the physiological changes that occur after conception, accompanied by soreness of the chest, growth of the abdomen, pain in the back and limbs, do not always allow you to get enough sleep.

In a new position, a woman often encounters insomnia, and the choice of a suitable sleeping position turns into a real problem. Consider the features of a pregnant woman's rest in each of the trimesters, as well as the problems associated with it and ways to solve them.

Pregnancy and sleep are inextricably linked, because without proper rest, the normal intrauterine development of the baby and the well-being of the mother are impossible. French scientists came to the conclusion that women who suffered from insomnia during childbearing are more likely to experience complications during childbirth (protracted straining period, slow cervical dilatation). In addition, the lack of normal sleep increases the risk of diseases. of cardio-vascular system.

Healthy long sleep expectant mother get rid of the accumulated experiences associated with the expectation of a child and the upcoming birth. Therefore, in order not to experience constant stress and nervousness, you need to rest whenever such a desire appears.

Sleep during pregnancy is especially important, because the female body begins to expend more energy than in the normal state. Also, the decline in strength is due to a natural decrease in immunity and blood pressure from the expectant mother. This causes apathy and weakness. Best and the only way get rid of them - give the body a rest for the allotted time.

How much sleep do you need during pregnancy?

To meet the new needs of the body, sleep should become longer. In a normal period, the optimal duration of a night's rest is 8-9 hours. But a woman "in position" needs more time to recover - an average of 9 to 11 hours.

In the first trimester, the expectant mother experiences severe drowsiness associated with increased production of progesterone, the onset of toxicosis, and others. physiological changes. In this regard, sleep during pregnancy on early dates includes additional time for daytime rest. If you wish, it is recommended to devote at least 1.5 hours to it.

In the second trimester, the woman's condition stabilizes and weakness recedes. The need for daytime sleep may disappear, but night rest should remain sufficiently long - 9 hours or more. It is also important to observe the daily routine - go to bed and get up at about the same time. The best time to go to bed is 11 pm, and to get up - 8-9 am.

What are the best positions to sleep in during pregnancy?

In thinking about how to combine sleep and pregnancy, the stomach, which is increasing day by day, makes its own adjustments. Due to the rapid growth of the child and, accordingly, the uterus, the problem is the choice of a comfortable position for the woman and a safe position for the baby to rest.

Many expectant mothers have a question: is sleeping on the stomach during pregnancy allowed or not? Let's try to figure out how long this is acceptable and what sleeping positions are more suitable for pregnant women.

In the early stages

Properly chosen position guarantees sound sleep and good health. In the first trimester, the choice of positions is practically unlimited. The uterus has not yet had time to increase greatly and is reliably protected by the pubic bones, so sleeping on the stomach during pregnancy is allowed during this period.

But often women have to choose a different position for sleeping in the very early stages. The reason for this is the increase and soreness of the mammary glands. In such a situation, you can sleep on your back or on your side, the main thing is that the position is comfortable.

At a later date

Starting from the second trimester, the choice of acceptable positions is reduced. In order not to cause discomfort to the baby and save the pregnancy, sleeping on the stomach will have to be canceled. It is better to rest during this period lying on your side, as if curled up around the baby.

Since the weight of the baby and the size of the uterus are still small, sleeping on your back during pregnancy is allowed at this time. But after the 27th week, this pose should also be abandoned. If the pregnancy is multiple, the fetus is large, or oligohydramnios is diagnosed, then this will have to be done earlier.

In the third trimester, the most suitable sleeping position is lying on your left side. If the baby is inside the uterus in a transverse presentation, then it is better to lie down on the side on which its head is located. This encourages the child to take the correct position.

To make sleep more comfortable, lying on your left side, you need to bend your right leg at the knee and put a pillow under it. You can use a regular pillow of a suitable size or specially designed for pregnant women.

In this position, blood circulation in the placenta improves, optimal conditions are created for the work of the mother's cardiovascular system. In addition, the excessive load on the spine, kidneys and other internal organs.

Sleeping on one side all night is difficult, so if discomfort appears, doctors recommend changing your position by lying on the opposite side. It is advisable to do this 3-5 times a night.

Sleeping on your back during pregnancy in the third trimester is undesirable. At this time, this creates an excessive load on the spine, intestines, and, most importantly, leads to clamping of the vena cava.

As a result, the health of the expectant mother worsens, the following symptoms may appear:

  • labored breathing;
  • tachycardia;
  • drop in blood pressure;
  • dizziness, sometimes fainting.

The child experiences intrauterine oxygen starvation which negatively affects its development. Often, if a woman rolls over on her back in a dream, the baby begins to push hard, giving signals that he is uncomfortable. But as soon as the expectant mother turns on her side, the situation returns to normal.

Sleeping on your stomach in the later stages is also strictly prohibited. Although the child is protected amniotic fluid, but the risk of injury still exists.

What to do with a sleep disorder?

Drowsiness is a natural state for a pregnant woman, but there are exceptions to any rule. Some women experience insomnia during pregnancy. There are many reasons for this - difficulties with choosing a comfortable position for relaxation, back pain, spasms and cramps in the legs, anxiety for the unborn baby or fear of the upcoming birth.

Poor sleep during pregnancy is not normal. The lack of proper rest depletes the body of the expectant mother, leading to a breakdown, headaches and exacerbation chronic diseases. You can cope with sleep disorders by following a few simple rules.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the state of your body and daily routine. Falling asleep will be easier if:

  1. Go to bed at the same time every day. It is advisable to do this no later than 23:00. The rise should also not be too late; 9-10 hours are enough for a pregnant woman to have a good rest.
  2. When practicing daytime sleep, do not make it too long. If you rest during the day for more than 2 hours, the regime will be disturbed and it will be problematic to fall asleep at night.
  3. Do not drink a lot of liquid at night, otherwise the urge to urinate, already more frequent due to the pressure of the uterus on the bladder, will not allow you to rest properly.
  4. During the day, provide yourself with a reasonable physical activity. If there are no contraindications, it is necessary to walk daily on fresh air at least 2 hours, attend yoga or water aerobics for pregnant women. It is better if physical activity occurs in the first half of the day.
  5. Do not overeat at night. If the dinner is too dense, everything eaten will cause an unpleasant heaviness in the stomach and make it difficult to breathe, which is not conducive to a healthy and sound sleep.
  6. Ventilate the room before going to bed. The air in the bedroom should be fresh, but not too cold and dry.
  7. Wear comfortable underwear made from natural fabrics. Sleepwear should not be tight or hot. If the house is cool, it is better to cover yourself with a warm blanket, but be lightly dressed.
  8. Take a warm shower before bed. This will relax your muscles and make you fall asleep faster.
  9. Use aromatherapy. Essential oils (ylang-ylang, sandalwood, lavender, neroli) help to calm down, relieve nervous tension and tune in to sleep. They can be applied to fabric, placed in a special pendant or evaporated using an aroma lamp. But you need to remember that oils can provoke allergies.
  10. Convert a place to sleep by purchasing body-friendly bed linen, a comfortable pillow for pregnant women, and, if necessary, an orthopedic mattress.

If these tips do not help get rid of insomnia, you should consult your doctor. For persistent sleep disorders, pregnant women may be recommended herbal teas or light sedatives from natural ingredients - valerian, motherwort, etc. Any sleeping pills for expectant mothers are contraindicated, since they adversely affect the development of the baby, cause malfunctions in the woman's liver and kidneys.

Electrosleep during pregnancy

Electrosleep during pregnancy is one of the few allowed medical methods fight insomnia. This procedure is carried out in a physiotherapy room and consists in applying low-frequency pulsed currents to the brain using a special apparatus.

This effect restores cerebral circulation, normalizes nervous activity makes it easier to fall asleep. In addition, electrosleep improves metabolism and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, reduces pressure, relieves spasms and reduces pain syndrome. The procedure is indicated for pregnant women not only with nervousness and sleep disorders, but also with severe toxicosis in the second trimester.

The treatment has contraindications (epilepsy, dermatitis of the skin of the face, eye diseases, oncological processes) and is carried out only as directed by a doctor.

A good rest while waiting for a child is possible. A stable daily routine and the creation of favorable conditions for falling asleep will allow you to forget about bad sleep during pregnancy forever. But, if, despite this, you continue to experience difficulties and discomfort, do not hesitate. Timely application for medical care will help get rid of insomnia and begin to receive only pleasure from your position.

Useful video about sleep during pregnancy

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The expectant mother really needs to rest, so proper sleep is important, like nothing else. She experiences stress during the day, experiences constant mood swings and hormonal surges, feels like her body is facing tremendous changes. In addition, sleepless nights await her, so getting enough sleep "in position" is a must.

The importance of healthy sleep during pregnancy

It is no secret that the expectant mother spends her strength and energy not only on her own life activity, but also on the growth and development of the crumbs. At the same time, significant changes take place in her body, which require more resources.

To recover and not feel tired and overwhelmed, a pregnant woman needs to sleep 8-10 hours a day. It's even better if she takes a little nap during the day. Healthy sleep allows you to relax both physically and emotionally.

The uterus is enlarged high speed and compresses neighboring organs, due to which the load on the body increases. But at the same time, cells need to receive all the necessary nutrients and oxygen. The mother's organism is now responsible for two.

During sleep, all vital processes slow down. At this time, the energy reserve is replenished so that the woman can live normally and continue to do her usual things. All muscles relax, organs rest and circulatory system, the load on the lower back and the musculoskeletal system is reduced. Fatigue, heaviness in the legs and back disappears.

A woman “recharges” during sleep: in the morning she gets rid of her previous worries and anxieties, feels a surge of strength and good mood. With a lack of sleep, on the contrary, apathy, moral fatigue, frequent mood swings, and increased fatigue appear. Drowsiness directly affects performance: a woman does not cope with things as she should, everything literally "falls out of hand".

Weakened nervous system, poor appetite, unstable emotional background, confusion are just a few and the most obvious consequences of lack of sleep. All of them affect the development of the baby, so the importance of healthy sleep during pregnancy is undeniable.

How to choose the right and comfortable sleeping position?

In spite of a large number of rules that say how to sleep correctly, the main thing is one: you need to sleep in accordance with your desires and preferences, observing some precautions.

In the first trimester, you can not think about sleeping positions: the tummy has not yet begun to grow, so any position that is comfortable for mom is correct. From the 13th week, there are certain restrictions in choosing a sleeping position.

The most correct and comfortable position is on the left side. In this case, they are not squeezed vitally important organs, the heart works well, the baby receives all the necessary nutrients and blood circulation is not disturbed.

With a transverse presentation of the fetus, it is better for mom to sleep on the side in which the baby's head is located.

How not to sleep during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, you can not sleep a little and in the wrong position. Fortunately, incorrect positions are often uncomfortable for pregnant women, and they themselves fall asleep on their side with pleasure.

Starting from the middle of the second trimester, you can not sleep on your back, which can be difficult to wean. This is due to the fact that the growing uterus puts pressure on the spine and the vessels that pass through it. Constant squeezing of blood vessels leads to a lack of cerebral blood supply, which is fraught with hypoxia, dizziness, fainting and general weakness. The expectant mother herself will notice that after sleeping on her back she feels “broken”.

It is much easier to give up sleeping on your stomach, which is naturally prohibited during pregnancy. This poses a direct threat to the baby, so it’s better to sit comfortably on your side and rest easy.

During pregnancy, you should not sleep in a too stuffy, unventilated room, on synthetic bedding or pajamas made of artificial fabrics. Do not allow exposure to negative stimuli (light, sound, smell). Before going to bed, it is best to ventilate the room well, close the curtains tightly, achieve complete silence and darkness. You can use a special sleep mask and earplugs for this.

How can you fall asleep quickly during pregnancy?

Sleep during pregnancy depends on the well-being of the mother in the evening. Oddly enough, the rule of extreme fatigue and sound sleep during the bearing of a baby does not work: the more tired a woman feels, the worse her sleep will be, and may even have to suffer from insomnia all night.

Before going to bed, you need to take a warm shower or bath, ventilate the room and put on your favorite pajamas made from natural fabrics. If a woman freezes during sleep, it is better to wear warm socks. It is impossible to go to bed with an empty or, conversely, a full stomach. Dinner should be light and take place 2 hours before bedtime. Also, don't drink a lot of water before bed.

Lying in bed, you can’t overload your brain: watch the news or heavy films, read detective stories or sad stories, scroll through the news feed or just check social networks. It is best to end the day by watching a comedy, cartoon or comedy show, listening to your favorite music, reading a children's book.

Mom will benefit from talking with the baby and stroking the abdomen. So, firstly, the baby calms down and falls asleep with his mother. Secondly, the emotional bond between parent and child is strengthened. Thirdly, mom feels real happiness and relaxes.

Before going to bed, you need to turn off the lights and the TV, take a comfortable position and completely relax. It is better to put a glass of water near the bed to drink if thirst arises at night. The phone must be put on the "silent" mode so that no notifications interfere with the expectant mother's nightly sleep.

How to organize your sleep?

Lack of sleep is stressful for both the woman and her unborn child. Scientists have come to the conclusion that regular restless, poor-quality sleep often leads to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Apathy and weakness are the main signs of lack of sleep.

You need to go to bed at a time when mom felt drowsy and tired. It can be at 8, and at 9, and at 10 o'clock in the evening, and later. Sometimes female "owls" during pregnancy suddenly become "larks", and vice versa. This is normal and you should not be afraid of it: you don’t need to go to bed early if you don’t feel like it, and you shouldn’t wait until midnight if you want to go to bed a few hours before the usual “lights out” mode.

Many pregnant women experience an irresistible urge to sleep in daytime. Increased load on the body, lowering blood pressure, weakening of the immune system require more rest, so daytime sleep is welcome. It can last from 20 minutes to 2 hours at any time, but it is better not later than 16 hours, otherwise it will bother headache and it will be difficult to sleep at night.

The duration of a night's sleep should vary between 8-10 hours. If you want to sleep more - you can, but less - no. It is desirable to go to bed and wake up at the same time, but if the biological clock dictates its rhythms, it is better to listen to them.

The correct organization of sleep lies in other features.

  • During the day, you need to walk in the fresh air and do light permissible exercises (yoga for pregnant women, special gymnastics). Physical fatigue improves sleep.
  • During daytime sleep, set an alarm that will ring 2 hours after mom decided to rest.
  • Before going to bed, you should not drink a lot of liquid, but it is better to keep a glass of water near the bed.
  • Shortly before going to bed, you can light special aroma sticks with essential oils that have a calming effect (for example, lavender, fir).
  • Choose a suitable mattress, bed linen and a pillow that is comfortable for sleeping. If there is a need or desire, you can buy a special pillow for pregnant women.

If sleep does not bring satisfaction to a woman and fatigue does not disappear by morning, you need to inform the doctor about this and get advice. But what you should not do is to abuse sedatives and sleeping pills. In some cases, the doctor may recommend light herbal medicines (valerian, motherwort), but it is forbidden to prescribe these and other remedies on your own.

Pillows for sleeping during pregnancy

Surprisingly, for some women during the gestation period, the previous sleeping place seems uncomfortable: the sofa, the mattress, the bed, and even the blanket cause discomfort. Particularly often, women in labor are unhappy with pillows that interfere with proper rest.

What are the features of choosing a pillow during pregnancy?

  • Expectant mothers often purchase and use additional pillows that are placed under the neck, lower back, legs, stomach or between the knees. In this way, you can ensure maximum comfort for yourself and your child.
  • The old pillow suddenly feels too soft, too hard, too big or too small. In this case, you should not hesitate and immediately go to the store for a new one - one that will be more convenient and comfortable.
  • Orthopedic pillows often save women in late gestation. They are more expensive, but their value is difficult to overestimate. If the neck lies correctly during sleep, the brain receives the necessary amount of oxygen, and the woman sleeps well.
  • A find are special pillows for pregnant women, having the shape of a horseshoe. This is a huge soft pillow that can be hugged, squeezed between your legs and twisted around to keep you occupied. best posture for sleep.

When choosing a pillow, the woman herself must be present. You need to touch the pillow, try to attach it to your head, lie down on it. In this case, you should not rely on your husband or girlfriends, you should not place orders on the Internet. You need to go, try, choose and make a decision on your own.

Quality sleep and pregnancy are closely related. Without proper rest it is impossible to achieve wellness, lightness, energy and stable emotional state. The expectant mother needs to get enough sleep and fall asleep when she wants, given some features and rules. Healthy sleep guarantees a pleasant and carefree pregnancy.

Specially for- Elena Kichak

Pregnancy is accompanied by many difficulties - difficulties in digestion, jumps in blood pressure and frequent insomnia. But such manifestations can and should be fought so as not to overshadow the joys of pregnancy and facilitate the course of childbirth.

Causes of poor sleep in pregnant women

There are several reasons for poor sleep during pregnancy, and they depend on the period at which the woman is. Normal sleep is the absence of wakefulness between 23:00 and 07:00. If there are problems falling asleep at this time, the woman sleeps lightly and constantly wakes up, she has insomnia

  • First trimester

As a rule, the first three months of pregnancy usually overcomes drowsiness - the body is rebuilt. But if it's hard to fall asleep, most likely, emotions are to blame. We may be unnecessarily happy or worried about the baby.

  • Second trimester

And again, emotional richness is to blame for a bad dream, increased anxiety. Many pregnant women have very superficial sleep due to hormonal changes and some tense anticipation of events. A woman may worry before the next ultrasound or hear about difficult painful childbirth. As a rule, the stomach is not yet large enough to interfere with sleep. In this case, we recommend reading the article: how not to be nervous during pregnancy, you may find some useful tips for yourself.

  • third trimester

On the border between the 6th and 7th months, already physiological causes lead to sleep disturbances. The uterus increases, the stomach becomes larger - you can’t just sleep on your back. The fetus puts pressure on both the bladder and the lungs, because the pregnant woman constantly wants to go to the toilet, and it can be hard to breathe. Many women also complain of excessive sweating, and it is difficult to sleep in a feeling of heat. Another reason can be that the future baby often does not sleep at night and pushes.


How can a mom-to-be deal with bad sleep?

There are several ways to beat bad sleep and “learn” how to sleep at night again. It would be better to combine them.

1. Try to go to bed no later than 23 hours, and it is better if it is about 22 hours. Remember that the recommended sleep period is no more than 9 hours, otherwise drowsiness will haunt you all day.

2. You need to sleep a little during the day, you can just lie down for half an hour. But it is undesirable to sleep during the day for too long, otherwise the rested body will simply refuse to fall asleep at night.

3. Do not drink a lot at night, otherwise the urge to urinate will "exhaust" all night.

4. Clothing should be made from natural materials, light and seasonal. It is better to be lightly dressed, but covered with a warm blanket.

5. Do not overeat before going to bed, otherwise everything eaten together with an already grown up baby will put pressure on the stomach. Because of this, difficulty in breathing is likely.

6. Be sure to give yourself physical activity - yoga, Pilates, swimming in special groups. This, firstly, will help you get tired for a good sleep, and secondly, it normalizes blood pressure and strengthens your muscles. But do it in the morning.

7. Pay attention to auto-training and aromatherapy, especially since aromatherapy treatment for pregnant women is becoming increasingly popular. They help relieve stress and cope with bad thoughts and at the same time help to get rid of bad sleep. Tell yourself that you and your baby are healthy, talk to him, assure both of you that the birth will go well. A volatile essential oils help normalize blood pressure, thermoregulation, cardiac activity, relieve pain.

8. Make your place to sleep as comfortable as possible: a comfortable pillow, a supportive mattress and, of course, the baby's beloved future father is nearby. Sleep on your side, but not the side of your heart.

9. Take a warm shower before bed to relax your muscles.

Have a good pregnancy!

Pregnancy is one of the happiest periods in any woman's life. But often it is accompanied by the emergence of many new problems that a woman has not encountered before. One of these unpleasant phenomena can be sleep disturbance. But it is precisely from a good sleep that the emotional mood, physical and mental activity, as well as general health organism.

Why is sleep disturbed during this period and how to deal with insomnia? Let's try to figure it out.

Many women experience sleep disturbances already in the first months of bearing a child.. The main cause of insomnia at this time is the changes taking place in the body of the expectant mother - hormonal changes, toxicosis and more. With the onset of the second trimester, sleep returns to normal, a couple of months before childbirth, insomnia may reappear.

Sleep disturbance during pregnancy is not at all as harmless a problem as it might seem. Bad, be restful sleep or its absence at night leads to nervous exhaustion, and this is extremely dangerous in the last months of bearing a child. Being a powerful stressor, insomnia can cause various complications of pregnancy, and sometimes even cause premature delivery.

Sleep disturbance is always a symptom, a manifestation of some other problem. Therefore, before dealing with the hardships of the night, you should understand the reason that caused them. The main causes of sleep disturbances include:

  • Difficulty getting into a comfortable position. The belly in the later stages has already grown so much that it becomes difficult to lie on your back. You have to take unloved poses - on the left or right side.
  • Pain in the lumbar region and back. The weight of a woman is significantly increased, which causes excessive stress on the vertebrae, giving off pain and making it difficult to sleep. But you can’t eat an anesthetic pill once again - during pregnancy similar drugs are strictly prohibited.
  • Fetal movements. At this stage, the baby moves intensively, often changing its position. The restless behavior of the child does not allow the woman to sleep peacefully.
  • Frequent urge to urinate. An enlarged fetus compresses nearby organs, including the bladder, causing a woman to want to go to the toilet literally every hour.
  • Heartburn, nausea and other disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system.
  • Reception hormonal drugs which contain progesterone, which causes an invigorating effect.
  • Itching sensations in the abdomen. They occur as a result of the growth of the abdomen and distension skin. In addition, the skin of the abdomen during pregnancy becomes more sensitive and can react sharply to synthetic clothing materials.
  • Cramps in the lower limbs. They appear due to a deficiency of magnesium and calcium in the body, or with swelling of the legs.
  • Dyspnea. Many pregnant women suffer from shortness of breath during sleep. This problem occurs as a result of the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the diaphragm.
  • Pain in the perineum or on the inner thighs. Appear due to the fact that the head of the child presses on ganglions located in the pelvic region.

The causes of sleep disturbance can be psychological. A pregnant woman is constantly in a state of stress, worrying about the outcome of the upcoming birth and the health of her baby. Often in the last months of pregnancy, a woman suffers from nightmares.

Constant unrest in the family and at work, worries about gained weight, loss of attractiveness, and much more can also cause insomnia.

How to deal with insomnia

To overcome insomnia, it is necessary to develop not only a certain daily routine, but also the right psychological attitude. To combat sleep disorders, pregnant women are recommended the following methods:

  • In the evening, a couple of hours before bedtime, take a walk in the fresh air;
  • Take a shower before bed - the water should be warm to relax the body;
  • It is recommended to sleep in comfortable clothes made of cotton;
  • An hour before bedtime, you should not watch intense movies, news or emotionally “sharp” TV shows;
  • To improve sleep, spicy, fried foods, as well as sweets and carbonated drinks should be excluded from the diet;
  • During sleep, you need to choose a comfortable position - you can put a pillow between your legs or under your back;
  • Sleep as little as possible during the day;
  • It is not recommended to drink a lot of liquid 2 hours before bedtime;
  • A decoction of chamomile, taken shortly before sleep in a small amount, will help normalize sleep; herbs with a pronounced sedative effect are allowed to be drunk only with the approval of a doctor;
  • With constant stress and increased nervous excitability, it is recommended to visit a psychologist and tell him about your experiences;
  • To eliminate seizures, you should take special vitamin complexes, or include foods rich in magnesium and potassium in the diet - hard cheeses, sesame seeds, gozinaki, buckwheat, pine nuts, pistachios, sea kale, walnuts, barley groats, etc.
  • Ventilate the bedroom before going to bed;
  • Maintain moderate physical activity.


It is highly discouraged to resort to various sedatives and, moreover, to sleeping pills during pregnancy. Many of these products contain substances that can be harmful to the baby. If insomnia continues to torment even after changing the daily routine and diet, you should definitely visit a doctor and ask him for advice.

Pregnancy proceeds in different ways, during this period women expect difficulties. Many complain that they have unreasonable insomnia during pregnancy, because of this weakness, drowsiness, lethargy, and generally poor health.

Bearing a fetus causes a restructuring of the hormonal background, a full sleep at such moments is simply necessary. If you do not get enough sleep periodically, do not rest during the night, irritability, nervousness, exhaustion of the body will appear over time, which negatively affects the development of the baby. Such a condition is dangerous, capable of provoking psychological and physical problems, so insomnia must be fought.

Types of insomnia during pregnancy

Depending on what particular night time poor sleep, or its complete absence, insomnia is conditionally divided into three types:

  • Evening (starting). Sleep does not come, the woman tosses and turns in the evening, turning from her back to her side. For hours he lies without closing his eyes, scrolling in his head what happened during the day, what will happen tomorrow. Usually a woman at such moments immediately feels that she will not be able to fall asleep, sleep will not come.
  • Loss of sleep state. In the evening, as if nothing had happened, the pregnant woman falls asleep. She sleeps calmly, it would seem that nothing worries her, does not bother her, but after a certain time, she wakes up. She just opens her eyes and it's like she hasn't slept at all before. It’s impossible to sleep until the morning, someone manages to sleep for two hours, for someone a little more - 5, 6 hours during the night.
  • The final phase of morning insomnia. It's dawn, the night ends, it was not possible to fall asleep, in the morning drowsiness does not occur. There is a feeling of weakness, lethargy, weakness. Sometimes, on the contrary, in the morning comes severe drowsiness which is very difficult to deal with.

When carrying a fetus, expectant mothers most often complain of evening insomnia. They complain that the very state of pregnancy, discomfort, and a big belly prevent them from falling asleep. Sensation of fetal movements. Regardless of which type of insomnia progresses, the unpleasant phenomenon must be dealt with, properly and adequately rested. It is believed that during the day you need to sleep at least 10 hours, so "lack of sleep" must be compensated for at other times, for example, in the morning or afternoon.

Causes of insomnia during pregnancy

The anxiety caused at night, first of all, is of the nature of the internal state of a woman. No matter how it looks from the outside, the future mother, somewhere inside herself, deeply worries in her soul, constantly thinks about the future. Many cannot get used to their position at all, hence the nightly torment. Analyzing the general condition of women at a particular stage of development of the gestating fetus, there are several reasons that cause sleep disturbance during pregnancy:


  • hormonal failure caused by ongoing slow changes in the body;
  • emotional overstrain, nervousness;
  • physical discomfort associated with the development of certain diseases (heart, digestion);
  • mental disorder;
  • severe pregnancy;
  • development of chronic pathologies;
  • discomfort provoked by an uncomfortable bed, coming sounds, noise, from the included light;
  • the room is stuffy, hot, cold, too humid air, dampness, dust;
  • at night a lot is eaten, tonic drinks are drunk;
  • a woman has been taking some medications that affect sleep for a long time;
  • frequent urges to the toilet;
  • sleeps a lot during the day;
  • the sides hurt from what is constantly lying in front of the TV, lying down reading.

Along with this, there are other single factors that can excite nervous system and cause insomnia, such as watching horror movies frequently. restless labor activity unsettled family life.

Poor sleep during pregnancy in the first trimester

Most women sleep poorly during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body. Usually, this is noted in the early stages, attributed to the first signs of an "interesting" situation.

This phenomenon provokes anxiety, discomfort of night rest. There is heartburn, shortness of breath. The frequency of changing the position of the body causes lumbar pain, cramps of the limbs. All this leads to chronic fatigue, lethargy. Terrible thoughts come to mind, fear of the upcoming birth. At such moments, women are irritable, prone to nervousness, prone to stress. Some people aren't happy with what's going on.

In the second trimester

Closer to the second trimester, the main cause of insomnia remains the emotional imbalance of a woman. Anxiety increases, and with it irritation. Women, while contemplating the upcoming events of motherhood, still remain restless. It is not possible to rest properly at night, household issues capture the excitement.

The bulk of women complain of superficial sleep, too sensitive state in a dream, a clear perception of what is happening around. The stomach, as a rule, does not interfere with sleep yet, but the tension is growing. Given the characteristics of pregnancy, sleep disorders may be associated with them.

In the third trimester

Bad sleep in the third semester provokes nightmares. Some are tormented by dreams about the upcoming birth, obstetricians. Restless sleep provokes profuse sweating, a woman in a dream seems to be experiencing a parallel reality, waking up in a sweat, complaining of chills and discomfort. This happens as a result of the mental state of a pregnant woman on this stage, fears, fear of the upcoming birth. Constantly thinking about the future, many people cannot fall asleep under such emotional influence, especially during pregnancy, because there are other unpleasant factors in family life.

Physiological causes of poor sleep are beginning to emerge. The uterus in the third trimester is already significantly enlarged, the stomach becomes quite large. Difficulties arise with how to lie down comfortably, especially on the 8th, 9th month. Lying on your back is uncomfortable, and in some cases generally undesirable. The fetus puts more and more pressure on the bladder, provoking frequent urination. It becomes difficult to breathe, as the fetus squeezes the respiratory organs. Arises excessive sweating, fever.

The child increasingly begins to move, the movement is more and more painfully reflected by discomfort, even pain in some organs. In addition, if the fetus becomes very active during sleep, you need to change the position of the body, since, most likely, the woman lay down uncomfortably and the child is uncomfortable, something is squeezing him.

What to do

Understanding that it has not been possible to fall asleep as it should be for a long time, the state of sleep deprivation is chronic, you need to learn how to control your sleep. It is important to understand that it is impossible to treat the phenomenon in this position, take some drugs (sleeping pills) too, even if you constantly took them before pregnancy.

First you need to visit your doctor, consult, tell how the phenomenon manifests itself, which worries you. Together with a specialist, try to find out the cause of the phenomenon, and only after that he will tell you what to do. Sometimes, in extreme cases, it is permissible to prescribe a certain number of drugs in order to improve the condition of the body, to return the lost sleep.

  • In such cases, it is recommended to drink sedative decoctions prepared on the basis of medicinal herbs: valerian, mint, chamomile, thyme, motherwort, licorice. Dry components must be steamed, brewed strictly following the manufacturer's recommendations. With a bad reaction to decoctions, stop taking it.
  • It is necessary to eat little in the evening, trying not to overload the stomach, which provokes poor sleep during pregnancy. Include fresh salads, radishes, black currants, asparagus, beets, melons in the menu, it is believed that these products contribute to sound sleep. In general, reconsider your daily diet.
  • Eliminate the use of tonic drinks, especially at night. In general, drink less liquid so as not to increase the urge to go to the toilet at night.
  • During the day, and especially in the evening, do not worry, do not get annoyed, avoid stressful situations. In general, a person “torn apart” by the evening will rarely be able to sleep peacefully, and even more so in this state.
  • If in the late afternoon the heartbeat begins to increase, shortness of breath appears, it is enough to drink a mug of sweet tea, but warn the doctor about such symptoms, especially if they are constant. Most likely there is a lack of sugar in the body, hence the reasons.
  • It is useful to eat a spoonful of natural turnip juice shortly before bedtime. They cook it simply, squeeze the turnip into pulp, add an equal amount of honey there. Insist a couple of days before taking, store in the refrigerator.
  • Take shortly before rest cold and hot shower. Warm up your feet in warm water.
  • In the morning you need to get up earlier, walk more in the fresh air, move, do not lead a passive lifestyle.

Faced with restless sleep, insomnia, you need to think about whether the pregnant woman has the right lifestyle in general. Perhaps a woman sleeps a lot during the day, gets up late in the morning. Perhaps, in general, throughout the day, a woman is inactive, passive, practically does not spend energy during the day, so sleep does not go.

Creating a favorable atmosphere

Only in the most favorable conditions, a night's rest will be useful and comfortable. Therefore, before going to bed, you need to:

  • ventilate the room;
  • put on appropriate pajamas so that it is not hot or vice versa not to freeze;
  • it is convenient to put pastel accessories, purchase a special orthopedic pillow for pregnant women;
  • It is better to turn off the light, the room should be calm and quiet.

Lying down in bed, you need to emotionally tune in that today's sleep will be good, try to fall asleep.

In general, when a woman deciding to give birth to a child is emotionally correct, she doesn’t worry about anything, she doesn’t have problems with sleep, but if the expectant mother increasingly complains about poor sleep, then you need to tell the observing specialist about it. Why a pregnant woman can’t sleep at night, no one will immediately say, sometimes even a series of tests may be required to understand.

Often, a specialist observing pregnancy advises to seek help from a psychologist, neurologist, somnologist and other doctors, who, after finding out the cause of anxiety, can establish a normal, full-fledged night's sleep. However, the problem becomes more serious when other symptoms of a slowly developing pathology appear along with nocturnal insomnia. That is why such a phenomenon cannot be delayed. You should not deal with it yourself, in any case, you must first consult a doctor.

When was the last time you dreamed scary dreams? Agree, in the morning after them there is not the most pleasant impression. And if nightmares come at night all the time, then there can be no talk of normal rest. Unfortunately, this condition is experienced by many expectant mothers. And bad dreams during pregnancy do not directly depend on the term or on the physical condition of the woman. So what are the reasons then?

Features by period

Anxious dreams during pregnancy in most cases appear for psychological reasons. And most often they come in the first and third trimester. But this is not a pattern - bad dreams may not appear at all, and for some they do not allow them to sleep peacefully almost throughout their entire pregnancy. What internal reasons Can they be provoked in each period of pregnancy?

First trimester

The emotions that a woman experiences when she learns that she is expecting a child can be different - from a feeling of boundless happiness to absolute horror. But such news will not leave indifferent any woman. And since dreams always reflect our psycho-emotional state, how a woman experiences the onset of pregnancy will certainly affect their content.

A happy expectant mother can dream of angels, charming little ones, pleasant and bright dreams. Women who are stressed about the upcoming birth of a child often have dreams about catastrophes, accidents, and destruction.

This is understandable - the expectant mother perceives what is happening as a personal disaster. In addition, toxicosis is often present in the first trimester, which also does not contribute to a good night's rest.

Second trimester

During this period, the woman was already fully aware of the fact of the upcoming motherhood, and discomfort associated with toxicosis are significantly reduced or disappear altogether.

Therefore, bad dreams during this period are infrequent guests during the normal course of pregnancy. If they appear, it is mainly due to physical changes in the body that begin to cause inconvenience.

third trimester

In the later stages, bad dreams during pregnancy occur in almost everyone. And they are most often associated with the upcoming birth. Although the plots of dreams themselves are completely different and reflect the main problem only indirectly, in individual symbolism. Women who experience extreme fear may have dreams of torment and torture, hospitals, operations, etc.

Those who fear for the health of the unborn child are often haunted by visions in which they save or, conversely, lose babies. In any case, anxiety in the last weeks of pregnancy increases greatly and this is reflected in night dreams.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The reasons that can provoke bad dreams during pregnancy are much more diverse.

Physiological factors

In the plots of sleep, the physical condition of the woman is also indirectly reflected. Every month during pregnancy, the load on the body of a woman increases. At the same time, the number of all kinds of inconveniences and restrictions that she has to put up with is increasing. If in the early stages you can sleep in any position, then, starting from the 5th month, a woman cannot spend the night on her stomach.

In the second half of pregnancy, you can no longer sleep on your back, since in this position the greatly enlarged uterus presses on the diaphragm and internal organs, disrupting normal blood circulation.

Sometimes a woman turns in bed for hours, trying to find the optimal position for sleeping. And as soon as she manages to do this, the baby “wakes up” and begins to be active in the stomach.

The following reasons can provoke poor sleep during pregnancy:

  1. Severe or prolonged stress is accompanied by an adrenaline rush and disturbing dream plots: fights, chases, nightmares. Moreover, the pictures that appear may not be directly related to the cause of stress - they are only a reflection of the general mental anxiety of the expectant mother.
  2. Increased fetal activity - mainly creates problems with falling asleep. And if you do not fall asleep on time, then the body does not get the number of phases of deep sleep. Dreams usually appear during REM sleep. Accordingly, the pregnant woman wakes up in the morning with a feeling of full porridge in her head from chaotic fragments of dreams.
  3. Emotional excitement. Even if the emotions were positive, their excess overloads the nervous system and it is more difficult for her to switch off in the evening. During sleep, a pregnant woman may continue to experience pleasant or unpleasant significant events, and this will be reflected in the dream plots.
  4. Lack of oxygen. Sleeping in a stuffy room is often accompanied by nightmares, even for healthy person. And although pregnancy is not a disease, but in this state the need for clean air increases many times over. The stale air in the room can provoke dreams in which the pregnant woman feels suffocated.
  5. Various diseases or pains. The same hypersensitivity leads to the fact that during pregnancy a woman can feel an aggravated or reappearing disease even before they appear. obvious symptoms. Pain is also felt through a dream, but if it is not strong enough, it does not wake the woman, but is only reflected in the dream.
  6. Overeating or drinking too much. It is extremely important to observe moderation in everything during pregnancy. Overeating before bed leads to the fact that a woman feels heaviness in the stomach at midnight, it is difficult for her to fall asleep. An enlarged uterus presses on the bladder and reduces its volume. This means that the dream of a pregnant woman who has drunk too much water will be restless, she will be awakened by the urge to urinate. She may dream of floods, rain, and other water-related stories.
  7. Uncomfortable bed or pajamas that are too tight. This will not allow the body to completely relax during sleep. And since a woman is still constantly experiencing inconvenience associated with big belly, then the dreams appear accordingly. A pregnant woman may imagine that she is lying on stones, she is tightly tied up or her freedom is restricted.

Pregnant women need to remember that bad dreams in themselves are not at all dangerous. This is just a reaction of the subconscious to the changed physical and mental condition women. But you can't ignore them either.

In especially impressionable women, bad dreams often cause insomnia - they are simply afraid to fall asleep.

What to do

Healthy restful sleep for a pregnant woman is extremely important. Moreover, the closer to childbirth, the more the importance of high-quality night rest increases. Therefore, it is advisable to do everything possible so that during this period the sleep is strong, and the dreams are only pleasant. Here are some simple preventative measures that can help:

  • provide the pregnant woman with constant support and psychological comfort;
  • talk to a woman in the upcoming birth and about what she is afraid of;
  • sign up for a prenatal preparation group - they will not only help you get rid of fears, but you can also communicate with the same pregnant women;
  • be sure to ventilate the room before going to bed - the air in the bedroom should be cool and moderately humid;
  • calm walks before going to bed will relieve stress, provide an additional flow of oxygen and speed up falling asleep;
  • a comfortable bed and loose clothing will not allow you to completely relax, will not constrain movements, make it difficult to breathe;
  • properly distribute food throughout the day - the diet should be as varied and healthy as possible, but dinner should be light;
  • do not drink a lot of fluids before bed - this will relieve severe swelling and will not provoke the urge to urinate at night.

If you can’t get rid of bad dreams on your own, be sure to tell your doctor about it and in no case use sleeping pills and sedatives medicines. The doctor will definitely find a way to solve the problem quickly and harmlessly for you and the child.

Read with it

  • Why do you often dream?

A lot of women with the onset of pregnancy begin to have strange dreams. Someone doesn't pay attention to them special attention, and someone is trying to understand this point in more detail. Should I think about dreams during pregnancy? What can they say to the expectant mother?

First of all, you should figure out whether a woman knows about her “interesting” position. If not, then such cases are characterized by unusual dreams, the interpretation of which will immediately put everything in its place. Most often, expectant mothers dream of:

  • fish. It does not matter whether it is a pond or an aquarium, what will be the number of fish - such a dream is interpreted as an approaching or already occurring pregnancy. At the same time, if the fish is bright in color - most likely, a girl will be born, if gray - a boy,
  • pigeons - to see pigeons in a dream is also a clear harbinger of a happy situation,
  • baking bread - such dreams are less common, but also indicate a high probability or fact of pregnancy.

When the expectant mother already knows that she is carrying a child, she may have quite disturbing dreams at night. In most cases, they are associated with the experiences that a woman experiences, some kind of discomfort. Each period has its own reasons:

  • terrible dreams at the very beginning of pregnancy are often associated with excitement about its onset and further course. Of course, the expectant mother worries about her baby, wants his bearing to pass without any complications,
  • bad dreams in the second trimester are additionally associated with an enlarging belly, toxicosis and other inconveniences characteristic of given period. The body needs rest, but cannot fully get it,
  • third trimester - here strange dreams show anxiety about the upcoming birth. In addition, discomfort persists due to the growing belly, which does not allow you to take your favorite position during rest.