Sleep in the first trimester. Insomnia during pregnancy: causes and treatment. Introduce daytime sleep

Pregnancy enters your dreams in two main ways. The first is dreams about yourself during pregnancy, the second is that your real pregnancy is an IMPACT EVENT and sets its specific content.

Anyone can become pregnant in a dream: this possibility is not limited by either gender or age barriers.

Generally speaking, pregnancy serves as a symbol of creativity, puberty, or wealth. However, there are many situations that require additional interpretation.

If you are a young woman dreaming of pregnancy, but at the same time having no real intention of becoming pregnant, such a dream may indicate that you are in the stage of primary transition to a new stage of introspection.

One of the ARCHETYPES according to JUNG is the archetype of a parent with a prevailing instinct for preserving the family.

Seeing yourself involved in an activity in this position means observing your exit from the CHILD stage and the transition to the adult level.

If you are sexually active, but have no intention of getting pregnant, such a dream can be a harmonious accompaniment to your monthly cycle.

In connection with such a dream, ALARMS like “what if” may arise, which require comprehension and resolution.

A man who sees himself pregnant in a dream is often in a situation where his masculinity or participation in the reproduction of the population is in question.

Such doubts often come to mind for men who see themselves as less active in this regard than they would like to be.

The dream acts as compensation, highlighting the creative side of their PERSONALITY.

Pregnant men not only give birth to children, but also something that somehow justifies their mission in this world.

The fact of pregnancy in real life can lead to various events in dreams.

These events can range in nature from the most brutal to the ridiculous.

This is not surprising, since in real life pregnancy is a source of a whole range of sensations - from excitement to euphoria.

Other types of dreams that occur during pregnancy may relate to adultery, DEATH of a partner, chronic health problems, loss of pregnancy due to accident or miscarriage, birth defects in the child, twins, triplets, etc., as well as increased fertility, where conception and gestation occur more often and regardless of protection.

Dreams about infidelity or the death of a partner often arise as a response to feelings of insecurity due to changes in appearance or the frequency and nature of sexual relations during pregnancy.

Dreams about chronic health problems and defects in a child belong to the category of negative WILL PERFORMANCE and are also a result of the anxiety experienced by women in this position.

Dreams of multiple births and repeated pregnancies are the most difficult.

Sometimes, at a certain stage, pregnancy overwhelms a woman. This is a consequence of concerns about the ability to properly cope with the role of MOTHER.

Multiple pregnancies may be a visual representation of these fears.

Interpretation of dreams from Loff's Dream Book

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Every person needs proper sleep; pregnancy greatly increases the need for rest, so it is especially important for expectant mothers. But the physiological changes that occur after conception, accompanied by breast tenderness, abdominal growth, pain in the back and limbs, do not always allow for proper sleep.

In a new position, a woman often faces insomnia, and choosing a position suitable for sleeping becomes a real problem. Let's consider the features of a pregnant woman's rest in each trimester, as well as the problems associated with it and ways to solve them.

Pregnancy and sleep are inextricably linked, since without proper rest, normal intrauterine development of the baby and good health of the mother are impossible. French scientists came to the conclusion that women who suffered from insomnia during pregnancy are more likely to experience complications during childbirth (prolonged period of pushing, slow dilatation of the cervix). In addition, lack of normal sleep increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Healthy, long-term sleep allows the expectant mother to get rid of the accumulated worries associated with expecting a child and the upcoming birth. Therefore, in order not to experience constant stress and nervousness, you need to rest whenever the desire arises.

Sleep during pregnancy is especially important, because the female body begins to expend more energy than usual. The loss of strength is also explained by a natural decrease in immunity and blood pressure in the expectant mother. This causes apathy and weakness. The best and only way to get rid of them is to give the body the right amount of rest.

How much sleep do you need during pregnancy?

To meet the new needs of the body, sleep must become longer. During normal periods, the optimal duration of night rest is 8-9 hours. But a pregnant woman needs more time to recuperate - on average from 9 to 11 hours.

In the first trimester, the expectant mother experiences severe drowsiness associated with increased production of progesterone, the onset of toxicosis and other physiological changes. In this regard, sleep during early pregnancy also includes additional time for daytime rest. If desired, it is recommended to devote at least 1.5 hours to it.

In the second trimester, the woman’s condition stabilizes and weakness subsides. The need for daytime sleep may disappear, but night rest should remain sufficiently long - 9 hours or more. It is also important to maintain a daily routine - go to bed and get up at approximately the same time. The best time to go to bed is 11 pm, and the best time to get up is 8-9 am.

What positions are best to sleep in during pregnancy?

When thinking about how to combine sleep and pregnancy, the belly, which is growing day by day, makes its own adjustments. Due to the rapid growth of the child and, accordingly, the uterus, the problem is choosing a resting position that is comfortable for the woman and safe for the baby.

Many expectant mothers have a question: is sleeping on the stomach during pregnancy allowed or not? Let's try to figure out how long this is acceptable and what sleeping positions are more suitable for pregnant women.

In the early stages

The correct position guarantees sound sleep and good health. In the first trimester, the choice of positions is practically unlimited. The uterus has not yet had time to grow much and is reliably protected by the pubic bones, so sleeping on the stomach during pregnancy is allowed during this period.

But often women have to choose a different sleeping position in the very early stages. The reason for this is enlargement and soreness of the mammary glands. In such a situation, you can sleep on your back or side, the main thing is that the position is comfortable.

In the later stages

Starting from the second trimester, the choice of acceptable positions is reduced. In order not to cause discomfort to the baby and to maintain the pregnancy, sleeping on the stomach will have to be abolished. During this period, it is better to rest lying on your side, as if curled up around the baby.

Since the baby's weight and the size of the uterus are still small, sleeping on the back during pregnancy at this stage is allowed. But after the 27th week, this pose should also be abandoned. If the pregnancy is multiple, the fetus is large, or oligohydramnios is diagnosed, then this will have to be done earlier.

In the third trimester, the most suitable sleeping position is lying on your left side. If the baby is inside the uterus in a transverse presentation, then it is better to lie down on the side on which his head is located. This encourages the child to take the correct position.

To make your sleep more comfortable, lie on your left side, bend your right leg at the knee and place a pillow under it. You can use a regular pillow of a suitable size or one specifically designed for pregnant women.

In this position, blood circulation in the placenta improves, creating optimal conditions for the functioning of the mother’s cardiovascular system. In addition, unnecessary stress on the spine, kidneys and other internal organs is removed.

It is difficult to sleep on one side all night, so if discomfort occurs, doctors recommend changing your position by lying on the opposite side. It is advisable to do this 3-5 times a night.

Sleeping on your back during pregnancy in the third trimester is not advisable. At this time, this creates excessive stress on the spine, intestines, and, most importantly, leads to compression of the vena cava.

As a result, the expectant mother’s well-being deteriorates, and the following symptoms may appear:

  • difficulty breathing;
  • tachycardia;
  • drop in blood pressure;
  • dizziness, sometimes fainting.

In this case, the child experiences intrauterine oxygen starvation, which negatively affects its development. Often, if a woman turns over on her back in her sleep, the baby begins to push hard, giving signals that he is uncomfortable. But as soon as the expectant mother turns on her side, the situation returns to normal.

Sleeping on your stomach in the later stages is also strictly prohibited. Although the baby is protected by amniotic fluid, there is still a risk of injury.

What to do if you have a sleep disorder?

Drowsiness is a natural state for a pregnant woman, but there are exceptions to any rule. Some women experience insomnia during pregnancy. There are many reasons for this - difficulty choosing a comfortable position for rest, back pain, spasms and cramps in the legs, concern for the unborn baby or fear of the upcoming birth.

Poor sleep during pregnancy is not normal. Lack of proper rest depletes the body of the expectant mother, leading to loss of strength, headaches and exacerbation of chronic diseases. You can cope with sleep disorders by following a few simple rules.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the state of your body and your daily routine. It will be easier to fall asleep if:

  1. Go to bed at the same time every day. It is advisable to do this no later than 23:00. Getting up should also not be too late; 9-10 hours are enough for a pregnant woman to fully rest.
  2. When practicing daytime sleep, do not make it too long. If you rest for more than 2 hours during the day, your routine will be disrupted and falling asleep at night will be problematic.
  3. Do not drink a lot of liquid at night, otherwise the urge to urinate, already more frequent due to the pressure of the uterus on the bladder, will not allow you to rest properly.
  4. Provide yourself with reasonable physical activity throughout the day. If there are no contraindications, you need to walk in the fresh air for at least 2 hours every day, attend yoga or water aerobics for pregnant women. It is better if physical activity occurs in the first half of the day.
  5. Don't overeat at night. If the dinner is too heavy, everything eaten will cause an unpleasant heaviness in the stomach and make breathing difficult, which is not conducive to healthy and sound sleep.
  6. Ventilate the room before going to bed. The air in the bedroom should be fresh, but not too cold and dry.
  7. Wear comfortable underwear made from natural fabrics. Sleepwear should not be tight or hot. If the house is cool, it is better to cover yourself with a warm blanket, but be lightly dressed.
  8. Take a warm shower before bed. This will relax your muscles and speed up your sleep.
  9. Use aromatherapy. Essential oils (ylang-ylang, sandalwood, lavender, neroli) help calm you down, relieve nervous tension and set you up for sleep. They can be applied to fabric, placed in a special pendant, or evaporated using an aroma lamp. But you need to remember that oils can cause allergies.
  10. Re-equip the place to sleep by purchasing bedding that is pleasant to the body, a comfortable pillow for pregnant women, and, if necessary, an orthopedic mattress.

If the tips listed above do not help you get rid of insomnia, you should consult your doctor. In case of persistent sleep disturbances, pregnant women may be recommended herbal teas or light sedatives made from natural ingredients - valerian, motherwort, etc. Any sleeping pills for expectant mothers are contraindicated, since they negatively affect the development of the baby and cause disruptions in the functioning of the woman’s liver and kidneys.

Electrosleep during pregnancy

Electrosleep during pregnancy is one of the few approved medical methods for combating insomnia. This procedure is carried out in a physiotherapy room and consists of applying low-frequency pulse currents to the brain using a special device.

This effect restores cerebral circulation, normalizes nervous activity, and makes it easier to fall asleep. In addition, electrosleep improves metabolism and gastrointestinal function, reduces blood pressure, relieves spasms and reduces pain. The procedure is indicated for pregnant women not only for nervousness and sleep disturbances, but also for severe toxicosis in the second trimester.

The treatment has contraindications (epilepsy, dermatitis of the facial skin, eye diseases, oncological processes) and is carried out only as prescribed by a doctor.

Adequate rest while expecting a child is possible. A stable daily routine and the creation of conditions favorable for falling asleep will allow you to forget about poor sleep during pregnancy forever. But, if, despite this, you continue to experience difficulties and discomfort, do not hesitate. Timely seeking medical help will help you get rid of insomnia and begin to enjoy your situation only.

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The body of a pregnant woman is constantly changing and at a certain time there comes a time when it is impossible to follow previous habits, for example, both in addiction to certain dishes and in a favorite position while sleeping.

What are the causes of sleep problems in pregnant women?

As the fetus grows, the pregnant woman's belly increases, and it becomes more and more difficult for the woman to find a comfortable position that could provide good restful sleep. This is perhaps the most acute and pressing problem of sleep disturbance in pregnant women.

The next common cause of sleep disturbances may be frequent urge to urinate. This occurs due to the fact that the expectant mother's kidneys begin to work more intensely over time, 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 unborn baby, there is an active increase in the size of the uterus, which increases pressure on the bladder, the volume of which consequently decreases, and the woman begins to go to the toilet more often.

Sometimes, especially in the first half of pregnancy, a woman cannot get enough sleep due to 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 to breathe.

In order to increase blood circulation in 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, the cause of sleep disturbance becomes increased heart rate and heart activity.

To prepare for future childbirth, a pregnant woman's body 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 of cramps in the calf muscles and lower back pain.

In a pregnant woman the digestive system slows down somewhat, so food often remains in the stomach and intestines longer than usual. Such work of the digestive tract may be accompanied by heartburn and constipation , which, in turn, cause sleep disturbances. This can happen especially often in the last trimester of pregnancy, when increased uterus begins to put intense pressure on the stomach and colon.

Very often, the causes of sleep disturbances in pregnant women are psychological in nature. After all, almost every woman expecting childbirth is in a pre-stressful 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 sleep disruption.

In the second half of pregnancy, many women begin to complain of disturbing, interrupted sleep. This is often explained by the fact that it is impossible to comfortably position the body on the bed. A pregnant woman cannot find a comfortable sleeping position because her rather voluminous and large belly gets in the way.

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

If a woman has previously always slept lying on her stomach, then during pregnancy she will have to break 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 this sleeping position is not suitable for pregnant women, as it can cause back pain, difficulty breathing during sleep and blood circulation, leading to changes in blood pressure .

While sleeping in this position, a pregnant woman improves blood flow to the place where the fetus is located, and kidney function is activated, which helps reduce the likelihood of swelling in 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 particular position is optimal for proper heart function.

Need extra pillows

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

The best method for faster adaptation is to use additional pillows. Therefore, prepare in advance and always keep several soft and comfortable pillows of different sizes near you while sleeping. 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 several simple but very effective tips:

  • Pay attention to the organization proper and timely nutrition . Never overeat. Completely eliminate caffeinated drinks from your diet. Limit, or better yet, completely avoid drinking carbonated sugary drinks. The best drink before bed during pregnancy is a glass of warm milk.
  • Avoid intense mental activity before bed. Don't watch TV shows or read books before bed. If you have such an opportunity, then 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 for the body warm bath (not hot!), taken 20-30 minutes before bedtime.
  • Follow a daily routine. Go to bed and wake up at the same time.
  • Don't eat before bed. There should be a break of at least three hours between the last meal and the night's rest. During this time, most of what you eat will already have time to be digested, and your sleep will be more restful.
  • Walking in the fresh air before going to bed, ventilating the bedroom and sleeping with an open window or vent 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. And good, restful sleep during pregnancy is very important both for the mother herself and for her unborn child.

Despite increased sleepiness at the beginning of pregnancy, in subsequent months a woman often faces the problem of insomnia. There are many reasons for this: nervous tension and anxious thoughts, as well as physical symptoms - pain in the legs and lower back, heartburn, movements of the baby in the stomach.

Do sleep problems in a pregnant woman affect the baby? It would seem that the baby in the mother’s tummy is reliably protected and can calmly doze off at any time, regardless of what the mother is doing at that moment. Which is what he does most often.

But at the same time, the expectant mother also needs proper rest. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the nervous system is literally exhausted by hormonal changes; in the second trimester, the back begins to sag and the lower back hurts, and in the third, it becomes very difficult to find a comfortable position for sleeping.

Meanwhile, doctors unanimously declare: a mother’s sleep directly affects the normal development of the child. The fact is that the peak production of hormones, and especially growth hormone (somatotropin), occurs during night sleep. Mom sleeps - baby grows. The level of growth hormone in the blood of a pregnant woman reaches a maximum at 12 weeks, after which the child’s body begins to secrete growth hormone on its own.

But even in subsequent periods of intrauterine development, mother’s sleep is extremely important for the baby. Often, the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness of mother and baby coincide, and it is during sleep that the most important processes in the formation of all systems and organs of the little person occur, in particular the development of brain neurons.

If you start having problems sleeping, it can help you. Numerous reviews suggest with confidence that most distractions disappear on the first night. You will completely relax and fall into a sweet and peaceful sleep. After all, now this is so important for you!

Recent research by scientists has shown that the daily routine of the expectant mother and the baby in her belly is largely synchronized. The mother is engaged in physical education, and the baby is active, the mother communicates with the baby, and he responds to her strokes with soft pushes. And when the mother sleeps sweetly and calmly, the child also sleeps. Moreover, it is during pregnancy that the sleep-wake cycle is formed, which the child follows after birth. Therefore, now it largely depends on you in what mode your entire family will live after the birth of its new member.

Read tips on how to cope with insomnia

Frequent urge to go to the toilet becomes a faithful companion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, the question “how to sleep in early pregnancy” worries many women. In order to get proper sleep back, you will have to give up some old habits in favor of new ones.

Hormonal changes in the body begin to affect sleep from the first weeks of pregnancy. High levels cause swelling of the nasal mucosa, which leads to difficulty breathing and lack of oxygen. As a result, in the early stages of pregnancy, a woman experiences apathy, fatigue and irritability, regardless of whether she feels like sleeping during the day.

The importance of healthy sleep

During pregnancy, a woman may experience a variety of sleep problems:

  • initial insomnia (problems falling asleep);
  • frequent awakenings;
  • anxious, restless sleep;
  • insomnia in the final phase of sleep (waking up too early in the morning).

Such a dream does not provide adequate rest and recuperation, so in the morning the woman feels tired and overwhelmed. The problem is aggravated by the fact that sleeping pills are prohibited in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The results of a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh confirmed the importance of a good night's sleep. Observation of the condition of a group of women showed that insufficient sleep during early pregnancy can lead to the birth of a child with low body weight.

Therefore, after a woman becomes aware of her “interesting” situation, she needs to reconsider her rest regime. The duration of night sleep should be at least 8 hours, and you should fall asleep no later than 22:30.

How to choose a sleeping position

The quality of night's rest is determined not only by its duration, but also by the position of the woman's body. There are a lot of options for how you can sleep in the early stages of pregnancy. In fact, any position that is comfortable for a woman is acceptable - you can sleep on your stomach, back or side.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, when the expectant mother can still sleep in the way that is comfortable for her, you need to try to get used to falling asleep in the recommended positions. In the future, when a large belly limits the choice of acceptable options, falling asleep will occur easier and faster. The optimal body position when sleeping during pregnancy is on the left side.

This pose has several advantages:

  • liver and kidney functions are normalized;
  • heart function stabilizes;
  • the fetus receives more oxygen due to better blood supply to the pelvic organs.

If a woman is used to sleeping on her stomach and finds it difficult to adjust, you can start using a special pillow for pregnant women already in the early stages of pregnancy. Most often it is performed in the form of the letters “U” and “C”. This shape allows you to comfortably sleep on your side, placing your upper leg on the pillow at a right angle.

Many women who are accustomed to sleeping on their stomachs are concerned about whether they can continue to do so during early pregnancy. The doctors' recommendations here are clear - it is possible, but until the belly begins to enlarge. During this period, the uterus is still quite small and reliably protected by the pubic bones, so there is no danger to the child.

Sometimes, already in the first weeks, the expectant mother begins to worry about soreness of the mammary glands. In this case, lying on your stomach is not recommended so as not to put pressure on your sensitive breasts. Night rest on your back is allowed. This position should not be abused, because from the second trimester it will be prohibited.

As the uterus and fetus grow, resting on the stomach will have to be abandoned. Despite the reliable protection of the child in the form of the muscles of the uterus, membranes and amniotic fluid, he experiences pressure if the mother continues to sleep in this position. The danger to the fetus is the main reason why you should not sleep on your stomach during pregnancy.

How to improve your sleep

To solve sleep problems, it is enough to follow simple recommendations on how to sleep properly in the early stages of pregnancy:

  1. Limit fluid intake shortly before bedtime. This will help you avoid the urge to go to the toilet at night.
  2. The last meal should be 2-3 hours before bedtime. For dinner, light, low-fat dishes are preferred that will not give a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. If a woman begins to feel nauseous from hunger, you can eat a couple of crackers or drink a glass of kefir before bed.
  3. The bedroom should be thoroughly ventilated; it should not be too hot, dry or cold.
  4. When choosing pajamas or a nightgown, it is better to give preference to loose-fitting models made from natural fabrics.

Particular attention should be paid to the correct daily routine. You can follow all the tips on how to sleep better in early pregnancy and not achieve results. This could all be due to improper organization of the day. If you have problems falling asleep, it is better to give up naps during the day in favor of a walk in the fresh air. Provided you feel well, moderate physical activity (gymnastics,). All these measures taken together will allow the expectant mother to fully rest, get enough sleep and enjoy her position.

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