Pregnancy And Baby Care Pregnancy Sleep How to Sleep During Pregnancy

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...as the months pass by. The increasing size of your baby can create a problem when it comes to finding a sleeping position that is comfortable for you.

Reasons for Improper Sleep During Pregnancy

That's just one aspect. As you move into the third trimester, sleep patterns can get affected by factors other than body size. Some common physical factors that can be a cause for sleepless nights include:

• Leg cramps and back aches-they can be strong, frequent, and sudden. This happens due to the increase in your body weight and it may take a while for the cramps to subside.
• Constant urge to urinate-the need to urinate increases as the size of your belly grows and puts more pressure on your bladder.
• Constipation or heartburn-during pregnancy, since your body is busy sustaining your basic bodily functions as well as those of your baby, it can slow down the process of digestion which in turn can cause reflux actions like heart burn or constipation.

Some women also claim to have more vivid and longer dreams and nightmares during pregnancy. This is normal and may be due to your anxiety about your little one's health or about the impending D-day, and sometimes it is purely hormonal. However, it may result in broken or restless sleep.

How to Sleep During Pregnancy

The first and foremost thing to do is to find a sleeping position that is right for you. Doctors recommend that pregnant women sleep on their left side as this relieves any undue pressure on the uterus from the liver.

Then again, either side is fine as long as you are able to snooze without much discomfort. Talk to your doctor to decide which is the best position for both you and your baby. However, don't beat yourself up with stress and doubt if you happened to roll to a non-recommended position. The idea is to keep the pressure off your back as far as possible.

Try some experiments with some comfy, fluffy pillows and blankets. If the bed seems uncomfortable, try the recliner. Apart from that, ensure that you eat a balanced diet and do not OD on junk. Cut out all those favorite caffeinated drinks from your wish list. Water is good, but avoid glugging down gallons before you turn off the lights.

Create a routine. Read a nice book, or listen to some soothing music. Warm milk also helps to calm overshot nerves. Learn some relaxation techniques. So when sleep seems distant next time, you don't have to count sheep.