A new mom-to-be will be excited and worried at the same time. She will be excited thinking of welcoming a bundle of joy to her house while she may be anxious on the labor process and taking care of baby thereafter. Some pregnant women experience insomnia due to their inner worries during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Understanding insomnia
Insomnia means difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or both. Women may experience insomnia in all stages of pregnancy but it may be more common in first and third trimesters of pregnancy. You may feel miserable if you have insomnia but the good thing is that it’s not at all harmful for the baby.
Factors which cause insomnia during pregnancy
There may be many reasons for you to stay awake during the wee hours of the day. It may include:
- Need to urinate frequently
- Back pain
- Vomiting or nausea
- Leg cramps
- Abdominal discomfort
- Heartburn
- Shortness of breath
- Leg cramps
Managing Insomnia
- Diet and exercise: Diet and exercise can have a great impact on your sleep. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water and avoid caffeine intake from late afternoon
- Eat to sleep: Eat healthy food for dinner. Eat slowly so as to enjoy your dinner and avoid heart burn. Make sure not to go to bed hungry. If you cannot eat food due to bloating or other reasons, at least have a snack before you head to bed
- Develop a bedtime routine: One of the best things to do during your pregnancy is to set up good sleeping habits. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. Do something relaxing before your bedtime. Try taking a soothing bath which can help in inducing sleep
- Comfort is the key: When you sleep, make sure that you are fully comfortable. Use extra pillows for support if needed. You can also tuck a pillow under your knee or under your belly as it gets bigger. Make yourselves comfortable while you sleep
Dr Neelima Mantri is an obstetrician, gynecologist and a laparoscopic surgeon. She deals with a wide range of issues such as hormone disorders, obstetrics, menstruation and fertility issues and sexually transmitted diseases to name a few.
Dr Neelima Mantri addresses several adolescent issues like menstrual irregularities, managing pelvic pain, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts and many other reproductive issues. Being a laparoscopic surgeon, Dr Neelima Mantri has handled cases of investigating infertility, hysterectomy, ectopic pregnancy, polycystic ovarian syndrome, tubal ligation and sterilization. Some doctors may just consult the patient, do their duty and move on while Dr Neelima Mantri understands the concern of the patient deeply and clarifies all the doubts.
She can also help you in advising on issues faced during pregnancy like insomnia, nausea, constipation etc as she is well experienced and have handled around thousands of challenging gynecological cases. To book an appointment, please contact +91-7045115577