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 common symptoms, namely the inability to sleep for a long time, are called insomnia (or asomnia).

asomnia (a + lat. somnus - sleep). Insomnia, sleep disturbance. It is manifested by difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep with frequent awakenings at night, superficial sleep, or early awakening with the inability to fall asleep again.

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 future mother needs to protect herself from sources of unpleasant information, and her environment to take care of the social circle and the positive mood that prevails 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, since only a doctor can recognize the true cause.
3. Chronic. Chronic asomnia is the most complex form of insomnia that does not occur out of nowhere. 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 duration of pregnancy increases, so do the physiological causes of insomnia. It is noticed that at 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. Poor physical condition and psychological problems should be prevented, 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 of the 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 is getting better. By this time, the woman's body is already adapting to the hormonal surge: the nervous system is relatively stable, the pelvic organs, including the 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 medical treatment, you should immediately inform the doctor about this. No advice from friends and immediate family can replace the experience of a specialist. Only he will be able to choose the right and safe medicine for a pregnant woman without harming her unborn child.

How to help yourself

The causes of insomnia during pregnancy at different times are different, therefore, the ways to deal with it are also different. 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;
• The nature of water procedures should be reconsidered - to 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 pose 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. A gynecologist will determine if there are physiological reasons for insomnia, a therapist will examine the general state of 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 of the 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 is a very good way to overcome insomnia)) Choose the thing that you don’t like doing around the house the most (really don’t like it, just for nothing) 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!

Kalinov Yury Dmitrievich

Reading time: 5 minutes

Pregnancy is a special condition of a woman, in which a colossal load falls on the body, which means that there is an increased need for recovery. But, alas, hormonal changes provoke "strange" conditions - debilitating drowsiness during the day and annoying insomnia at night. Often, physiological and psychosomatic changes cause changes in the emotional state that are inexplicable at first glance, which are also tiring - in a few minutes from euphoria to increased anxiety and back. Thus, insomnia during early pregnancy, which affects up to 80% of women, becomes an additional source of stress and fatigue.

Sometimes it is an inexplicable sleep disorder that causes you to think about the onset of conception even before the delay.

Features of insomnia during pregnancy

Insomnia is one of the most common somnological disorders, the symptoms of which include:

• superficial (shallow) sleep;
• sleep problems;
• frequent sleep interruptions;
• unreasonably early awakening.

Faced with such manifestations of insomnia, especially in the first trimester, a pregnant woman feels a breakdown and fatigue in the morning. During the day, physical ailments (for example, toxicosis or abdominal pain) and anxiety about the baby are superimposed on the state of weakness. This means that by the evening a lot of experiences accumulate, which in turn do not allow you to fall asleep. The circle is closed. That is why the manifestations of insomnia in a pregnant woman should not be ignored.

Important! About insomnia, as a pathological condition, they speak only when the above symptoms occur at least three times a week for a month or more.

Types of insomnia

Sleep disorders are classified according to several parameters.

Types of insomnia by time of occurrence:

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, increased anxiety should be blamed for a bad dream. 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 will help relieve stress and cope with bad thoughts, and at the same time help 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. And volatile essential oils will help normalize blood pressure, thermoregulation, cardiac activity, and 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 from a good sleep that the emotional mood, physical and mental activity, as well as the general health of the body depends.

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. Poor, restless 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, such 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.
• Taking hormonal drugs which contain progesterone, which causes an invigorating effect.
• Itching sensations in the abdomen. They arise as a result of the growth of the abdomen and stretching of the 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. They appear due to the fact that the head of the child presses on the nerve nodes 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 cramps, you should take special vitamin complexes, or include in the diet foods rich in magnesium and potassium - hard cheeses, sesame seeds, gozinaki, buckwheat, pine nuts, pistachios, seaweed, 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 there comes a strong drowsiness, which is very difficult to fight.

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 urge to go 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, other single factors can be noted that can excite the nervous system and cause insomnia, for example, frequent viewing of horror films. Restless work 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 sweat, complaining of chills and discomfort. This happens as a result of the mental state of the pregnant woman at 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. There is increased 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 soothing 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 a contrast shower shortly before rest. 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 had 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. Moreover, bad dreams during pregnancy do not directly depend either 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 causes can provoke them 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 has already fully realized the fact of the upcoming motherhood, and the discomfort associated with toxicosis is significantly reduced or disappears 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 in a 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 obvious symptoms appear. 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 the inconvenience associated with a large belly, then corresponding dreams appear. 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 state of a woman. 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 sedative medications. 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?

Conception activates a number of processes that affect the general condition of the woman's body. Hormonal changes begin, the amount of progesterone increases, due to which the expectant mother wants to sleep much more. This is what most often causes drowsiness during early pregnancy, which in itself is normal. By the second trimester, most of it passes.

It even happens that a woman from 4 months feels a surge of vivacity. She needs much less time to rest, she wants to do all the things, a lot of energy appears. This condition lasts until the last month of pregnancy, when the load begins to affect, it is difficult for women to rest, a feeling of weakness and weakness appears. And this is also normal for such a condition: the child puts pressure on the internal organs, the big belly makes it difficult to take a comfortable position. As a result, the woman does not get enough sleep, which, of course, causes increased drowsiness. A place to sleep is of key importance, so you can see Come-for mattresses here https://www.moyo.ua/tovary_dlya_doma/domashnij_tekstil/matras/come-for/ are a prime example of a quality bedroom accessory that will provide maximum comfort during sleep. As a rule, all this passes with childbirth.

Thus, there is no need to panic. By itself, daytime sleep during pregnancy in the first trimester is even useful. Well, if a woman can afford such a vacation. And what about those who work?

How to wake yourself up?

Those who are forced to go to the office have a harder time. It will not work to lie down for a few hours while working, it is difficult to concentrate on the implementation of current tasks. The situation is complicated by the inability to drink coffee or energy drinks. What to do in this case?

Doctors recommend to normalize the diet. Very often, weakness and drowsiness during pregnancy means that you simply do not have enough energy. Some women habitually continue to adhere to the same portion sizes, which is not true. The amount of food should be increased by 300 - 500 kcal on average. Moreover, this figure increases even more with multiple pregnancies.

In addition, meals should be divided into 5-6 meals. So everything will be much better understood. And keep in mind that during pregnancy, many people's metabolism accelerates, that is, much is excreted much faster.

Next - pay attention to the flow of fresh air. It is desirable that the windows are always open. The more oxygen, the better. Walking in nature also has a very positive effect on the general condition, helping to wake up. If you can walk along the seashore, then generally great!

If you wake up with a cup of coffee, you can afford a small amount. From 1-2 there will be no particular harm, besides, milk, cream, water, etc. can be added to the drink. Tea helps some wake up, however, keep in mind that all this contains caffeine. And the norm for pregnant women is quite strict.

Do pregnant women need naps?

In general, there is a lot of real debate around how much and when expectant mothers need to sleep. Some doctors believe that daytime sleep during pregnancy is almost mandatory. Others begin to check the patient for various pathologies. But still others adhere to the golden mean: everything is individual here.

It is impossible to say in advance exactly when drowsiness passes during pregnancy. Indeed, most often it disappears in the second trimester. But a lot depends on whether the body perceives the presence of a child as stress.

The psycho-emotional state of the mother also matters. If conception was not planned, if a woman worries a lot about childbirth, then the nervous system can be overloaded. Sleep is one of the body's defense mechanisms.

This, by the way, also explains drowsiness during late pregnancy, when the load increases. The body is preparing for childbirth, so the energy consumption tends to be minimized, it accumulates strength. As a result, it "turns off" the activity. And the least energy a person spends in a dream.

It is the same mechanism that works in people during recovery. Remember how much you slept when you last recovered from a protracted and rather serious illness? If, fortunately, this has not happened to you, you can find similar examples among your friends.

Thus, there are methods on how to deal with sleepiness during pregnancy, but this is not always necessary. Forcing herself to stay awake, a woman deprives the body of the natural mechanism of protection and recovery. As a result, she will not get better from this, on the contrary, the situation may drag on, that is, drowsiness will not go away. Therefore, sometimes the best way to deal with a problem is to just go and relax.

Question of the norm

But all this is true in cases where drowsiness is due to objective physiological causes. However, you should not take it very calmly, especially if it is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, lasts a very long time, or appears unexpectedly.

For example, if a woman feels well, she is in her 6th month of bearing a child, and she suddenly begins to feel weak, it becomes difficult to get out of bed in the morning, she needs to figure it out. So, when does drowsiness appear during pregnancy is normal? It seems that modern medicine itself is not entirely sure of this.

It is believed that drowsiness is present in the first trimester and at the very end (but not always). Statistics indicate that a constant desire to sleep sometimes appears almost immediately after conception. So the answer to the question of whether drowsiness can be a sign of pregnancy is yes. This is due to hormonal changes in the body, as already mentioned above.

In addition, this condition is relatively normal with toxicosis. It often resolves during pregnancy with weakness and nausea, drowsiness, lethargy, or tearfulness. If there are no other signs of pathology, then only symptomatic help is needed here.

Another desire to lie down may arise spontaneously with overwork. Women, counting on the usual supply of strength, are sometimes able to overwork. So there is nothing wrong with such suddenness.

At times, drowsiness occurs after eating during pregnancy, especially if the dinner was heavy. And this is also completely normal, because, as you know, the body spends quite a lot of resources on digestion. Therefore, he needs to rest, he seeks to save energy.

True, this also means that you need to eat a little less densely, because overeating can lead to digestive problems, which is generally undesirable.

Finally, sleepiness is normal in response to stress. If a woman is told bad news, if she has depression or other psychological problems, her consciousness may begin to “turn off”. In such cases, it is worth sleeping for a while, for example, a few days. But one should not completely distance oneself from the problem.

Pathology

But sometimes drowsiness is a sign of a disease. If it is accompanied by fever, swelling, severe weakness, general deterioration, it may be preeclampsia. In this case, it is best to seek medical help early.

In addition, dizziness and weakness with drowsiness during pregnancy, combined with pallor of the skin, are typical signs of anemia. The lack of iron for expectant mothers is generally a very urgent problem. This is due to malnutrition, the fact that the element is poorly absorbed, with metabolic disorders.

Therefore, doctors strongly recommend that you monitor all basic indicators, take tests as often as possible, preferably every week. And normalize the menu: it should contain red meat, it’s also good to include offal, other sources of iron.

You might also be interested in:

Low blood pressure

Even pregnancy and drowsiness are characteristic of hypotension. Low blood pressure today is increasingly recorded in expectant mothers. As a rule, at the same time, the head still hurts, it can be difficult to concentrate. Dizziness, lethargy and apathy are also typical symptoms.

Various herbal infusions and preparations help to cope with low blood pressure. True, keep in mind that fees are often made on alcohol, and ethanol is prohibited during pregnancy. In small quantities (drops) when diluted with water, it can be used, but occasionally and after consulting a doctor about this. It is also important to take into account the fact that some medicinal plants can increase the tone of the uterus, so care should be taken.

The pressure is well raised by caffeine. Therefore, you can make yourself a few cups of coffee or tea. And if you need help urgently - drink 1-2 tablets, depending on the condition. Just keep in mind that a sharp increase in pressure can adversely affect the general condition. Therefore, it is better not to experiment and start with 1.

What affects pressure?

If low blood pressure is not a periodic, but a constant problem, it makes sense to work with it in a complex way. The situation improves with stable sports. Of course, serious loads of a pregnant woman are contraindicated. But no one forbids just walking. If it is difficult to walk through the park, you can take breaks. Living in private homes - go outside.

Many doctors strongly recommend setting a schedule. This is a controversial statement, but it’s really better not to stay up late at night. On the other hand, if you absolutely can’t fall asleep, don’t force yourself. Than tossing and turning for hours, painfully trying to fall asleep, it is better to sit with your favorite TV series and a cup of warm milk, for example. Or another drink.

Sleep problems

Sometimes drowsiness becomes the other side of the coin, that is, the result of the fact that a woman does not get enough sleep. Such a reason is far from immediately and not the first to come to mind, especially when a person actually sleeps for 10-12 hours. It seems that this is quite enough.

But besides quantity, quality also matters. Think about whether your bedroom is ventilated during sleep? Do you have nightmares? How many times a night do you wake up?

You can also ask your husband if you are restlessly spinning in your sleep, if you are obviously trying to run away from something, hide. This becomes evident with nervous movements, the desire to crawl somewhere, cover yourself with a blanket, pillow, or all at once.

The body of a pregnant woman is constantly changing and at a certain time there comes a point when it is impossible to follow the old habits, for example, both in addiction to certain dishes and in a favorite position during sleep.

What are the causes of sleep problems in pregnant women?

As the fetus grows, the belly of the pregnant woman increases, and it is increasingly difficult for a woman to find such a comfortable position that could provide a good full sleep. This is perhaps the most acute and urgent problem of sleep disturbance in pregnant women.

Another common cause of sleep disturbances can be frequent urge to urinate. This is due to the fact that the kidneys of the expectant mother over time begin to work more intensively, filtering a larger volume of blood that passes through her body. This increased work of the kidneys entails an increase in the amount of urine produced.

Also, during the growth of the future baby, there is an active increase in the size of the uterus, which increases pressure on the bladder, the volume of which decreases as a result, and the woman begins to go to the toilet more often.

Sometimes, especially in the first half of pregnancy, a woman cannot sleep due to emerging breathing problems. The fact is that an increase in the total number of hormones in the body makes her breathe more often, and there is a feeling of lack of air for breathing.

In order to increase the blood circulation of the uterus and at the same time supply a sufficient amount of blood to all other organs, the pregnant woman's heart begins to work faster. In these cases, sleep disturbance is caused by increased heart rate and hard work of the heart.

To prepare for future childbirth, the body of a pregnant woman begins to produce the hormone relaxin. However, one of the consequences of its development is the possible weakening of the ligaments, leading to the appearance cramps in the calf muscles and back pain.

In a pregnant woman the digestive system slows down a little, so food often stays in the stomach and intestines for longer than usual. Such work of the digestive tract can be accompanied by heartburn and constipation which, in turn, cause sleep disturbances. Especially often this can happen in the last trimester of pregnancy, when the increased uterus begins to press heavily on the stomach and large intestine.

Very often, the causes of sleep disorders in pregnant women are psychological in nature. After all, almost every woman in anticipation of childbirth is in a pre-stress state. In principle, her feelings and sensations at this time are absolutely normal, but more vivid impressions, and sometimes nightmares that come during sleep, can cause her to be disturbed.

In the second half of pregnancy, many women begin to complain of disturbing intermittent sleep. Often this is due to the fact that it is not possible to comfortably position the body on the bed. A pregnant woman cannot find a comfortable sleeping position, because a rather voluminous and large belly interferes.

The first recommendation in this case may be a call for resignation to inconvenience and an attempt to find a new, perhaps somewhat unusual, but optimal position for sleeping. Having chosen it for yourself and getting used to it after a while, you will find a long-awaited good rest during a night's sleep.

In the event that a woman previously always slept lying on her stomach, then during pregnancy she will have to give up this habit. Sleeping in this position is unacceptable, since the pressure on the fetus will be too strong, and this can have the most unpleasant consequences for both the mother and the unborn child.

Sleeping on your back may seem the most comfortable, but even this sleeping position is not suitable for pregnant women, as it can cause pain in the back, breathing during sleep and blood circulation, leading to changes blood pressure .

During sleep in this position, a pregnant woman improves blood flow to the place where the fetus is located, the kidneys are activated, which helps to reduce the likelihood of swelling of the arms and legs. The pressure on the liver, located on the right side, is reduced, and the pelvic area and back do not hurt after sleep. Doctors say that this position is optimal for the full work of the heart.

Extra pillows needed

And yet, if a pregnant woman has not previously slept on her left side, at first it will be very difficult for her to get used to this sleeping position. At first, she may even experience quite a lot of discomfort due to a large tummy that interferes with sleep.

The best method for getting used to it faster is to use additional pillows. Therefore, prepare in advance and always keep several soft and comfortable pillows of various sizes near you during sleep. Using them while falling asleep, you can always choose the most comfortable position for yourself.

Sleep problems during pregnancy / shutterstock.com

In order to get rid of restless sleep, there are some simple, but very effective useful tips:

• Pay attention to the organization proper and timely nutrition . Never overeat. Completely eliminate caffeinated drinks from your diet. Limit, or better yet, completely refuse the use of carbonated sugary drinks. The best drink before bed during pregnancy is a glass of warm milk.
• Do not engage in intense mental activity before bedtime. Don't watch TV before bed and don't read books. If you have such an opportunity, it is best to listen to quiet, calm and pleasant music in the evening. This will help you relax and get ready for the night's rest.
• Very good effect on the body warm bath (not hot!), taken 20-30 minutes before bedtime.
• Follow the daily routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time.
• Don't eat before bed. Between the last meal and night's rest there should be a break of at least three hours. During this time, the bulk of what you eat will have time to be digested, and your sleep will be more restful.
• Walking before going to bed in the fresh air, airing the bedroom and sleeping with an open window or window in the warm season are very useful.

Remember that your good mood and peace of mind are the key to a full and restful sleep. A good restful sleep during pregnancy is very important for both the mother herself and her unborn child.