Sleeping during pregnancy is a very challenging issue for most women. It can cause many different types of problems in the newly born baby as well as the mother. Some mothers find that they simply can not get to sleep easily and some even feel like giving up. This can be a very emotional experience and a great deal of stress on both the new mother and the soon-to-be expectant father. Unfortunately, good sleep may be short-lived if problems are experienced while sleeping such as:
Hypertension
The symptoms of hypertension can be improved sleep when taking prescription medications such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Celebrex, or Zantac. Also, avoid taking aspirin with caffeine. Caffeine increases blood pressure, making it difficult to sleep.
Most pregnant women find that they can not get to sleep easily because their blood pressure elevates. There are several ways that can be used to prevent this, such as by taking anti-hypertensive medication such as beta-blockers. There are also alternatives such as losing weight, limiting salt intake, and avoiding spicy foods. However, reducing the amount of salt that is consumed is not recommended for pregnant women. A healthy diet combined with proper exercise can help to improve blood pressure.
Leg Cramps
If you experience frequent urination, this could be another sign of possible pregnancy. Most women also experience morning sickness at some time during their pregnancy. Morning sickness is characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Women who have this type of problem often do not find it so easy to sleep at night. Leg cramps are another symptom that occurs when the woman is taking medication for nausea and vomiting.
Third Trimester
The majority of women find that they can not get to sleep easily. They may find that they have frequent urination, which can only mean that their baby is inside them. This symptom is quite common during the third trimester. Women who are experiencing this problem should consult a doctor immediately. If the cause is due to sleep apnea, it may be advised that a surgical procedure is performed to stop this from occurring anymore.
Heartburn
This symptom occurs in the third trimester only. It can be due to the increase of hormones in the body or due to changes in the lining of the stomach. When stomach acid enters the esophagus, it causes heartburn. If you experience heartburn frequently, you will need to limit your intake of dairy products because these products can worsen this condition.
Left Side Sleeping
It is normal to have trouble sleeping when your stomach feels like it is full. However, if you feel that your stomach is empty when you lie down in bed, this can also mean that you are having heartburn. Left side sleep is one of the risk factors for heartburn. If you regularly have left side heartburn, you will want to make an effort to lie down on the left side of the bed. If this does not work, it may be a sign that your pregnancy hormones are too much for your system and it will need to be monitored closely by a doctor.
You should try to fall asleep on your side. Sleeping on your back can put a strain on the stomach and may cause indigestion. In addition, sleeping on the left side can allow acid from the stomach to leak into the esophagus. To fall asleep easily, you should try to position yourself on your back. If you are having problems falling asleep, you should wear headphones to listen to soft music or use lighting to block out the light so that you do not need to see anything to fall asleep.