The Changes in Early and Late Sleep Characteristics during Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one gruelling exercise for us, women. It is tiring; both physically and mentally as it primarily affects almost every part of the human body finding us at our vulnerable self. But unlike other physical and mental tasks, pregnancy can seriously dent the quality of sleep too.
Most women are presently surprised by the fatigue and sleeplessness they experience during the first trimester. So, this is an effort to help you gain a good picture of your sleep cycle you’ll go through your pregnancy.
So ladies, buckle-up and jump right in!
Your Sleep in First Trimester:
Sleep and the First Trimester are the friends who fight often. In fact, sleep is one of the first complaints that precedes the realization of pregnancy. A wide medical study has reported that there is an average 0.7 hours increase in the sleeping period among the women in their first trimester. But here comes the ‘fighting’ part: though they will be an increase in the sleeping period, the effectiveness of the sleep is considerably reduced owing to the changes pregnant women go through, in their first trimester.
The sudden surge in reproductive hormones results in drowsiness-causing an increase in the sleeping period. But they are also responsible for increasing the frequency of urination, disrupting the sleep and shrinking the efficiency of their sleep. Morning Sickness, vomiting, lack of comfortable sleeping positions also hinder the quality of your.
Sleep in the Second Trimester:
Second Trimester and sleep are like the best friends who have come to terms with each other. As changes happen slowly in the second trimester, this period levels out the things and is usually considered safe for women. Though the hormonal changes level-off, other conditions like heartburn or leg cramps may affect the sleeping period. This is the period where your deep sleep period is increased elevating your sleep efficiency by some good margin.
Sleep in the Third Trimester:
Sleep and Third trimester again go through a rough patch here.
Reason: The hormonal changes that surge during the first-trimester level-off in second and again surge in the third-trimester impacting sleep quality and causing a slew of problems, nothing that is unexpected though. But the sleeping problem finds their way through, again.
Most women in this period complain about the trouble of falling asleep and their sleep quality takes a big hit too. With the increase in the size of the foetus, it also becomes difficult to get a complete rest owing to the general discomforts, spontaneous awakenings, and frequent urination.
It is advised to use pillows behind the back, knees, and feet to make a comfortable position. Medical research advises the pregnant women to sleep on their left side so as to increase the blood flow to the baby and their body.
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Caught up in sleep problems during your pregnancy? Finding it difficult to relax?
Nothing is difficult under a proper medical guidance and consultation.
Gynecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon in Mumbai, India.
+91 70451 15577
