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Overcoming 9 Pregnancy Sleep Troubles
Soon-to-be moms worry about the sleep deprivation they'll face once their bundle of joy arrives. But how about getting a solid night of zzz when you're still pregnant? No easy task, as many mothers-to-be quickly discover soon after seeing those joyful two pink lines on a stick. "From the middle of my first trimester, I was waking up every few hours," says Melissa Halpern, of Brooklyn, New York. "Initially, it was constant peeing, then it was heartburn or leg cramps." But you don't have to spend nine months tossing and turning. Here's a guide to taking back your nights.
First Trimester1. Sleep Stealer: Sore breasts. The first body change that most women notice? Painful breasts, thanks to skyrocketing estrogen and hcg levels (human chorionic gonadotropin -- the hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy). While these hormones prep your breasts for milk production, they also make them much more sensitive. "And as the breasts grow, women who were tummy sleepers may find that this is now impossible because any pressure on the breasts is painful," says Barbara Dehn, RN, author of Your Personal Guide to Pregnancy (Blue Orchid). "You may have to learn how to sleep in other positions, which can also lead to getting fewer winks."
Shut-Eye Solution: A hot shower just before bed can ease you into dreamland, and acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), which is safe during pregnancy, can alleviate soreness, says Kellie Flood-Shaffer, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, in Lubbock, Texas. If it's difficult to sleep on your stomach and you can't get comfortable on your back, reposition your pillows: sleeping on your side and using a body pillow might do the trick.
2. Sleep Stealer: Bathroom trips. "I felt like I had to pee all the time," says Milena Alberti, of New York City, mom to Sebastian, nearly 3, and David, 8 months. "I was up every three hours." Why does this happen? "First, your uterus is growing and pressing on your bladder," explains Dehn. Plus, you're in hormonal flux and your body is releasing increased amounts of progesterone, which relaxes smooth muscles, such as the bladder.
Shut-Eye Solution: Stop your fluid intake at least two hours before bed -- a lesson that Alberti quickly learned. However, because hormones and space constrictions are to blame, there's little else you can do. The good news: Your need to pee constantly will temporarily subside in your second trimester.
3. Sleep Stealer: A throbbing head. Once again, blame your fluctuating hormones, namely your skyrocketing progesterone in the first and second trimesters. It causes your blood vessels to dilate, leading to headaches, which in turn may lead to sleep loss, says Dr. Flood-Shaffer.
Shut-Eye Solution: Acetaminophen is a safe fix, she advises. Other suggestions: apply a cool towel to your forehead. This will help the blood vessels contract while relaxing muscles and relieving the headache. And get rest when you can, if not at night, then by taking a catnap during the day; this will give your body a much-needed break from any fatigue-induced headaches, explains Dr. Flood-Shaffer.
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Sleep doesn't happen for me anymore! I sleep maybe an hour a night :/ I get leg cramps, tummy cramps and Major lower back pain."I feel like a Zombie" My wonderful husband rubs my back every night hoping it will help me sleep. We go for walks before bed and nothing seems to work! So last week I started going to get adjusted and the doctor said my lower back is really bad but if I go every week it should start helping! Insh'Allah I sure do hope so!
12/30/2011 09:41:10 PM Report Abusewhen i sleep i only get 2hrs at most every night??? why is that?
11/28/2011 03:34:53 AM Report AbuseFor Heartburn try powdered/capsuled papaya tablets...they work wonders. Sold at some grocery and most healthfood stores, even online. Good luck.
10/17/2011 06:55:27 PM Report AbuseI'm 6wks I can't sleep its been 3or4 days real bad headaches and now I'm hurting in my left side as if my cycle is going to start I'm so scared to death.I have high bloodpressure also been stressing over everything
9/15/2011 03:54:34 PM Report AbuseI am 37 weeks and have been belssed to not have a rough pregnancy. I do have a few issues as well when it comes to sleeping. My hips hurt so bad when I am laying down. I am constantly changing from the right to the left side and left to right all night. Then I have this sore muscle feeling pain between my legs when I am turning over; lets not forget having to pee. I am so glad it almost over. I can't wait to sleep on my stomach again.
7/26/2011 02:52:51 PM Report Abusemy problem that i cant get rid of is the heartburn i have it 24/7 the only relief i get is when im chewing gum tried all antacids that i could they DONT work also with nausea try nazene i think thats how its spelt you can buy it over the counter at any store only takes on pill and works with the fathers to be also only take it once a day and not anymore i hope these tips help
7/11/2011 09:31:48 PM Report Abuseim 27 weeks and sleeping for me has been a nightmare i have tried everything my only comfort was getting up and putting a blanket on the floor and sleeping its the coolest place even with the ac on and the beds chairs couches everything was always to soft for me be happy that you can sleep on the couch i had very severe hip and back aches and couldnt get comfortable.
7/11/2011 09:31:32 PM Report AbuseI am 37 weeks and having problem staying at sleep, and turning during the night. If I try to turn during the night I have really bad pain between my legs to the point that I dont want to move. Please help what should i do? Thanks
4/26/2011 02:48:28 PM Report AbuseA heating pad is your best friend when it comes to back pain. I sleep with it every night. If your car has heated seats use the back only option and it really helps while driving (if you have to). I had horrible back pain to the point I wanted to scream. The heating pad allows me to sleep and feel little to no discomfort. Try it! See if it works for you!
2/21/2011 10:02:38 PM Report AbuseI am at 16 weeks and have horrible back pain that almost makes me cry. And at night I cant get comfortable. Thinkin about moving to the couch but am not sure? I have taken Tylenol but am trying not to rely on it. Any ideas?
1/30/2011 05:28:13 PM Report Abuseany remidies for morning sickness that last all day and night ? i have been on several different medications and it is so hard because i have toddler runnin around and my meds put me to sleep.i been having to stay at my moms some just to be able to take my meds and theyt still dont subside my nausea and vomitting completly.
11/18/2010 03:19:45 PM Report AbuseWell, I'm 9 weeks today...and I've been having trouble sleeping since 7 weeks. My back always hurts...boobs are tender...and I cannot get comfy in bed or on the couch. If my boyfriend is with me in the bed, I never get any sleep. He's been kicked to the couch and even still...I'm only getting about 4 hours a night...maybe.
10/31/2010 02:27:30 PM Report AbuseNo one seems to have mentioned carpal tunnel....that's my biggest problem at night! I have a brace for my right hand...but it still flares up.
10/7/2010 06:17:09 AM Report AbuseKeyaRamirez... It's good to know that I'm not the only one who has moved to the couch. My husband hates it, but I've never been side sleeper (always on my stomach) and my bed is too firm for me to be comfortable...UGH! good luck to you!
8/26/2010 11:01:39 AM Report Abusei'm not sleeping well either.I'm almost 9wks. I have headaches,very painful bums,i keep waking up at night,i'm restless.uuugh!!
8/17/2010 02:25:13 AM Report AbuseI sleep on a extremly soft mattress and i just can't get comfortable I y sleeping on my left side and I just dont like it the best way I can get to sleep is sleeping on my back(which I know I'm NOT surpose to do)...Any suggestions
8/12/2010 03:24:18 PM Report Abusehey this is donna mencer my baby is allways making me so hot at nigt that its just so hard to get a solid nights zzz,s and i am in my 7th month. any and all exsprienced moms any suggestions or helpful hints i should know about. and boy her sleep pattern is horrible she loves to cause me to sleep mostly during the day and then keep mom and dad up all night any tips please? oh this is our first baby so were all new to this thats why we need any and all helpful hint or tips even suggestions.
7/23/2010 10:12:42 AM Report AbuseI am at 30 weeks and now experiencing severe pain in my ribs and mid back. Lower back doesn't hurt really, but I am hoping that baby will change position a little and give me some relief! I can't sleep on my right side at all without pain...sleeping propped up does help though and taking Tylenol or Tylenol PM.
7/4/2010 09:04:07 PM Report AbuseI was very nervious about taking any allergy medication during my second trimester and even though my doctor OK'ed Claritin, I did not want to use it too much. I have been using Neti Pot and it has made a big difference. I usually suffer with very bad allergies in the spring but I used the Neti pot in the morning and at night and did not have to take any medication at all. I think it clears the pollen from the nasal passages so there is no build up. It's great. I highly recommend it.
5/10/2010 07:46:05 PM Report AbuseI have purchased a lifesaver pillow called a Snoogle made by a company named Leachco. They also make the Boppi. The pillow has really helped in the sleep department and I reccommend it highly. It is available at any Baby R US store and runs about $50 dollars. It also turns into a boppi for use in breast feeding after the baby is born. When you consider the price of a Boppi alone is right around $30-$35, and you can use this throughout your pregnancy too, it is well worth it.
4/19/2010 10:33:06 AM Report Abuseis it ok if i have been sleeping on my back a little????
4/11/2010 11:30:11 AM Report Abuse@lil_irish_shawti: For allergies if you're really stuffy at night it helps me to run a humidifier at night. It's annoying to do every night but it's made a big difference in my sleeping and allergies. HTH! Good luck with your studies!
4/3/2010 10:41:46 PM Report AbuseI have extremely bad allergies and asthma on top of it all. It has become extremely hard me for to breath while laying down I have tried everything I can think of even sleeping sitting up and nothing helps. Its takes hours for me to get to sleep and I am a full time college student with early morning classes. Someone help please.......
4/1/2010 12:54:05 PM Report AbuseDore1972 is it safe to take tylenol pm while pregnant?
3/25/2010 11:36:20 AM Report Abuseat 33wk, my leg cramps just got worse! my husband has to wake up and rub my calf everytime i wake up screaming, he was even worried thinking it 's not normal, i'll try out these tip and hope it goes away before i pop!
1/21/2010 04:57:33 AM Report AbuseI could not sleep on my temper pedic bed anymore so I tried the air mattress and I have slept soooooooooo good! Don't wake up much, only to go pee. Also, I take a Tylenol PM before bed and this gets rid of all the headaches, leg cramps and pain. Try it, you will like it!
1/19/2010 02:10:14 PM Report AbuseI added Magnesium Taurate and Potassium supplements and that completely eliminated the horrible leg cramps.
1/13/2010 03:14:09 AM Report AbuseThe lower back pain started @ about 18weeks and already almost made me cry and everyone says it's just going to keep get worse.
11/24/2009 08:02:58 PM Report Abusewake up every morning with leg cramps! wow. I try to sneak out of bed now before my body even knows I'm awakening. It also does help to start stretching before I have time to catch the cramp!
11/23/2009 09:25:30 AM Report AbuseI also experienced severe back trouble during my seconed and into the third trimester. Most of the problem for me was remedied by getting a really soft mattress, instead of the firm on i had and also getting a good wedge pillow or body pillow to support the belly really does help. Good Luck.
11/20/2009 08:59:43 PM Report AbuseHow about back problems? I'm now sleeping on the couch. My husband does not like the arrangement.
11/20/2009 10:48:02 AM Report Abuse