Health is a big issue when someone is pregnant. When a woman is carrying a child, she does not only take care of her own wellbeing but also the child's. Besides a change of diet, schedule, work and chores, a well rested body is a must for pregnant women. Yet, insomnia while pregnant is actually very common. It has been estimated that 75 to 78 percent of all pregnant woman acquire insomnia: ranging from mild cases to very severe ones. Once a pregnant woman suffers from difficulty in falling asleep or going back to sleep, constantly waking up during the night, and not getting enough sleep at all, she may be suffering from insomnia. And insomnia while pregnant can cause even greater disorientation, tiredness when awake.
One major reason why pregnant women are prone to insomnia at this crucial time of their lives is hormonal imbalance. Though hormonal imbalance does have a hand on insomnia while pregnant, it is not the only cause. Psychological factors can also make a pregnant woman insomniac. For example: fear, anxiety, and even panic of bearing a child, or having the responsibility of rearing a child, can take hold, and this could lead to lack of sleep. There are also physical factors on why pregnant women suffer from insomnia. Their body shape can affect their sleeping habits. The positioning of their body might take time getting used to, or perhaps their new body shape can make finding a comfortable position to fall asleep in difficult. Aches and pains can also be another reason why insomnia while pregnant is rampant. Heartburns and back pains are common, and some women find it unbearable to fall asleep with these constant aches and pains.
If a woman is suffering from insomnia, it is still advisable to consult a doctor. No matter what happens, pregnant women should never ever self-medicate their insomnia. Taking pills or even herbal supplements without consulting a doctor can be dangerous both to the pregnant woman and her child. Most doctors, in fact, are very hesitant to prescribe any medicines to treat insomnia while the woman is pregnant.
Usually, the doctor will advise them to make some changes in the person's lifestyle. The doctor might also prefer to give natural, pregnancy-safe remedies for them. However, even if there are natural remedies being offered out there, pregnant women should still consult a doctor. Certain herbs can be safe for women if they are not carrying a child, but when pregnant, it may be a different matter.
For the meantime, a pregnant woman can ask experts for other sleeping positions. She can also try a nice warm bath or massage before going to sleep. Also, she could improve her room's environment, playing soothing sounds or music, or lighting lavender candles. Doing some relaxation techniques for pregnant women can also help, or use the age old ways to make people fall asleep: watch television, have a snack, drink some warm milk, or simply read a book. Exercising during the day could also help.
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