As your baby grows, you may begin to feel a wide range of changes. Shortness of breath and GERD (heartburn), among a long list of other changes, can disrupt your sleep before you have the baby. If you are early in the pregnancy, spikes in the hormone progesterone can cause you to feel drowsy. However, it is known that a lack of sleep is proven to increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and longer labors. Pregnant women absolutely need long, restful sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine claims that, “Good sleep [during pregnancy] is one of the best ways to assure a healthy baby.” The Endocrine Society released a statement claiming that pregnant women who sleep less than seven hours per night may have children with developmental delays. Therefore, it is highly recommended that pregnant women get at least eight hours of sleep every night. However, the other changes your body is going through can impede your sleep cycle. Therefore, if you are battling insomnia, consult a doctor.
How to Get Enough Rest While Pregnant
To get enough sleep, it is important to identify the underlying issue that is causing interruptions to your sleep. Is it GERD? If that is the case, try an over-the-counter antacid. If you are experiencing physical discomfort, perhaps try a pregnancy pillow.
If your insomnia is not caused by a specific issue, then Johns Hopkins medicine claims diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is fairly safe to induce sleep during pregnancy. Occasionally, doctors will prescribe hydroxyzine for insomnia during pregnancy, although some studies conducted on animals indicate cause for concern at doses of hydroxyzine significantly higher than the human therapeutic range. Always consult your doctor before using any medicine.
Complications That Can Affect Sleep
Poor sleep can negatively affect your health and your baby’s health. Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Excessive weight gain
- Gestational diabetes
- Preeclampsia/high blood pressure
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- General insomnia
So, How Much Sleep Do Pregnant Women Need?
It is recommended that pregnant women get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Sleep is vital to your health and your baby’s health. If you are experiencing insomnia, contact your doctor to create a plan. At Open Arms Real Choices, we provide resources to pregnant women. To make an appointment, contact us here.
