Although everyone needs sleep to function well, sleep is especially important for pregnant women. One poll found that more than 75% of women slept worse during pregnancy. Many pregnant women suffer from body pains, heartburn, vivid dreams, sleep apnea, nasal congestion, restless legs and insomnia.
A lack of sleep can lead to depression and a decreased immune system. Sleep is also necessary to combat the fatigue that plagues many pregnant women, especially during the first and third trimesters. Plus, you want to get as much as you can before a new baby is keeping you up all night.
It is best to avoid prescription and even over-the-counter or herbal sleep aids during pregnancy. If you do choose to take something, please consult your doctor first! Your best options for getting some sleep while pregnant are exercising during the day and making your sleep more comfortable at night. Also, try not to drink too much right before bed to reduce your middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom.
When you are pregnant, sleep can become uncomfortable as your body swells and your tummy grows. Research suggests that the best sleep position for pregnant women is lying on their left side. This position improves circulation and allows your liver to function properly. It also helps the flow of blood and nutrients to your baby – when you sleep on your back, the weight of the uterus can reduce blood flow (including oxygen and nutrients) to the baby. You can make this position even more comfortable through the use of one or more pillows between your knees and under your belly.
My body pillow was a lifesaver when I was pregnant, and it became a necessity that I still use today. I suffered from a lot of back pain and swelling during pregnancy, and these issues kept me up at night. Needless to say, I wasn’t a very pleasant person to be around during the day. But placing a sturdy body pillow under my belly and between my knees gave me the support I needed to rest well. I would even place another pillow behind my back to prevent me from rolling around.
You can certainly use one or more regular pillows for support while sleeping. I did at the beginning. But I eventually invested in an organic body pillow and found it more comfortable . You can also try a wedge-shaped pillow, like The Nesting Pillow, for tummy and leg support.
See my list of natural and organic pregnancy pillows here.
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