

Moderated by
Cynthia Stocker, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
My approach is direct, kind, honest & collaborative. My clients appreciate that I help them in a way that cuts through the jargon and gives clear explanations.
Top Rated Answers
Many reason a woman might find it difficult to sleep would be feeling uncomfortable,constantly needing the bathroom,cramps on the body or legs or even anxious about the baby's arrival simultaneously excited. The main objective is to relax as much as possible,for instance taking a nice warm bath,a nice hot cup of tea,listening to quiet meditating music or even ask your partner for a massage or foot rub. Make sure your room is at a comfortable temperature for sleeping,make sure its quiet. Still having trouble sleeping after 30-40 min?,get up and out of the room,read a book or listen to some soothing music till you start feeling drowsy then get back to bed. When sleep doesn't come try not to worry or feel anxious as time goes by because that makes the problem worse. Now if you have a sleeping disorder consult your medical practitioner. Remember insomnia may be frustrating,but during pregnancy is perfectly normal.
It can be because you are uncomfortable physically. A lot of changes happen over the course of pregnancy. Your mind is also more active and so it can be hard to settle it. Try a relaxing bath or shower and meditation to help with sleep
Sometimes it's hard to get comfortable, other times it can be because so many physical and emotional changes are happening. You may be feeling excited, or even anxious, so make sure to take it easy and relax, have a bath, have some chamomile tea and let your partner rub your feet.
Usually heartburn, nausea, or a constant need to pee keeps you up. You're bound to have trouble sleeping at some point during your pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters.
Between the cramps, backaches, shortness of breath, odd dreams, big belly and worries, nighttime can be really hard while you’re pregnant!
You will always be restless while sleeping when pregnant because you will always worry about your child. You will keep thinking that i should be in some nice position so that the child is safe. Thinking of your child's safety you will always have trouble sleeping.
The changes your body undergoes during pregnancy can effect the way you sleep. Changing in eating habits can cause heartburn. Hormones can make you feel hot or cold. Increasing abdominal pressure can make it more difficult to sleep on your back. Quickening can keep you awake as well.
Anonymous
August 19th, 2015 8:39am
There could be a multitude of reasons affecting sleep during pregnancy. It could be down to physical symptoms, such as back pain, babies movements or frequent urination. It could also be down to psychological issues. Pregnancy is a stressful time, which can cause anxiety for a lot of women, this, coupled with an increase in hormones can make relaxing and drifting off to sleep very difficult. Establish whether the cause is physical or psychological. If physical, try to sleep with a maternity pillow, on your left side, in a cool and dark environment. If psychological, look at activities you could do throughout the day and night to help you to relax, for example, reduce caffeine intake, look into mindful meditation, ensure you have emotional support from friends and family, read pregnancy books to educate yourself on pregnancy to help alleviate anxieties.
I had trouble because the uterus got large and pressed on my stomach and bladder. This sometimes caused heartburn, indigestion and frequent urination. Also, once the baby grew larger, she would be awake moving around while I was sleeping. This was so interesting and sweet to feel but did cause for some sleepless nights.
That's an easy one! You are carrying, for lack of a better phrase, a squirmy rock inside you. The baby is heavy, and moves often, even at night. They have to get comfortable as much as you do. Try putting a boppy around your tummy and lay on your tummy. It'll alleviate a little pressure.
One of my friends used to say that while pregnant she was unable to sleep because she was always anxious that she might do some harm to the child by Falling off the bed or something. And the way her hubby helped her through that is he built rails around the bed so she want fall.
Anonymous
August 20th, 2015 11:40pm
I'm not qualified but i read an article about it. Pregnancy changes hormones and this cause sleeping trouble. This problem seen almost every pregnant women. Your doctor will help you to find ways to sleep well.
Between the , backaches, shortness of breath, odd dreams, big belly and worries cause this problems.
Anonymous
August 22nd, 2015 12:12am
Believe it or not this is a very common issue for pregnant women. Chances are you're just uncomfortable because you find a suitable sleeping position. Try doing a web search to find tips from other pregnant women who may be experiencing the same discomfort. If that is not the case, it's probably because you keep waking up to use the bathroom. Unfortunately there isn't much you can do about this, other than drinking less before you sleep, because the baby is putting pressure on you bladder so it can't hold as much as it normally does.
One of the reasons of sleep trouble during pregnancy are changing hormone levels. For example, rising progresterone levels may explain excessive daytime sleepiness, especially in the first trimester. Besides that, pregnancy- related discomfort such as back pain can also result in significant loss of sleep. Many women also experience trouble sleeping due to enxiety about labour and delivery, balancing motherhood and work, or other changing relationship with their partner. Therefore, it is very important for pregnant women to prioritize sleep and to find effective strategies for managing their sleep problems as early as possible in their pregnancy.
Heartburn, achy legs, and trying to find a good position all kept me awake especially in the third trimester. Antacids worked for the first. The other two I just had to accept, try not to stress about, and just know I would have to wake up and reposition frequently.
You have a lot of hormones going off in your body and sometimes in the difference in your body can make you restless.
Babies constantly move, and they're always directly on your bladder. The whole experience is uncomfortable for the human body, and can cause restlessness. This is a common problem during pregnancy, and should be expected, especially in later stages of the birthing cycle.
Anonymous
August 23rd, 2015 8:31pm
Patients sometimes have trouble sleeping while pregnant, but you'll want to be careful taking any over the counter medications while pregnant. Consider consulting your physician if you're interested in managing your sleeplessness. Pregnancy is uncomfortable, and you really need to be relaxed and comfortable to fall asleep easily.
a lot of things are happening in your body: hormons release, bone building, ... the pregnant woman is nurturing a new life...
Anonymous
August 26th, 2015 3:50pm
its probably because of the bulge which can be quite bothering while sleeping , check the internet for the best healthy sleeping methods and read pregnancy books.
Most women struggle to sleep while pregnant, massive changes in hormones and changes to your body make it difficult to sleep, as well the added pressure to your body can make it difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in and you are restricted with your sleeping positions.
Anonymous
August 28th, 2015 11:50am
Because being pregnant makes you feel agitated, makes you really warm and uncomfortable when trying to sleep
That could depend on many things and where you are in your pregnancy. You feel the baby being more active while you are rest, backaches in third trimester, anxiety about delivery, health of baby.
Your body and mind change a lot during pregnancy, so it's normal that some things take a time to adjust. On one hand, the physical changes make it that old sleeping postures aren't as comfortable anymore: even the first weeks, when you don't show yet, the bloating and your uterus growing change how things feel inside, so this can make it harder to sleep. On the other, hormones are very powerful and run through your body in enormous quantities at this time: they can make you anxious, content, restless, energetic, tired, angry, happy... They don't stop at night, so you can get stuck in a bad mood for sleeping (whatever it is for you: some get anxious, some get energetic, for others the brain just won't shut off) very often. Add to it the normal worries of a soon-to-be-mom and you've got a perfect combo for insomnia. Relaxing exercises, meditation and a great deal of patience (this, too, shall pass) can help!
And, also, congratulations :)!
Anonymous
September 2nd, 2015 1:09am
It's totally normal for you to have trouble sleeping while pregnant. It can be really hard for pregnant women to get comfortable enough to sleep, you likely have to get up to pee a lot, and are frequently hungry. Hang in there, you're going to uncomfortable for a few more months! :-)
Firstly, hormones are everywhere! It's hard when our bodies respond unpredictably to situations we are less familiar with, because then it becomes easier to spin those into stories such as, "I can't sleep," therefore, I won't, or weaving the uncomfortable circumstance into unwanted anxiety. Try to stay as relaxed as possible and do as much self-care as you need to rest comfortably at night.
Anonymous
September 4th, 2015 7:12am
You're growing a human life. Even if its draining, it can also get quite uncomfortable. Also, lots of anxieties that come along with pregnancy and motherhood can be keeping your brain running on hyper mode.
You probably have major discomfort because of your pregnancy and/or baby bump. To help you sleep you should use a couple more pillows to support your back and legs.
Anonymous
September 6th, 2015 6:33am
Because while your sleeping your baby might not be c:
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