How Sleep Affects the Health of Pregnant Women

December 6th, 2012, admin

Pregnancy is a phase in a woman’s life where the entire family experiences great joy, excitement, and anticipation. Pregnancy is also the time when various changes occur in a woman’s body. Pregnant women experience dramatic changes in their physical form and emotional levels which will eventually affect the health of both the mother and unborn child.

When you’re pregnant, there are a number of things you need to do to make sure that you will have a healthy pregnancy, and to ensure your unborn child stays healthy. Exercise, stress levels, and eating habits can have a huge effect on you and your baby during this important stage; however, another factor that can affect pregnancy is the quality and amount of sleep. Have you ever thought about the importance of sleep? You have to understand that poor sleep quality can negatively affect your pregnancy as well as your delivery.

The Significance Of Sleep During Pregnancy

Throughout your pregnancy, you will experience huge physical and emotional transformations which will sooner or later affect the quality and amount of sleep you get. For one, you will have a hard time finding a comfortable sleeping position, and suffer from back pains which make sleeping a frustrating activity. If these sleeping problems are not addressed, your poor sleep quality will compromise your health as well as the health of your unborn child.

There are certain women who suffer from insomnia due to their emotions and anxiety about delivering the baby, the changes in her relationship with her spouse, or balancing motherhood and work. Pregnant women are also in danger of developing a sleeping disorder known as sleep apnea. This is a disorder wherein the breathing is frequently interrupted while sleeping. Pregnant women who have gained a lot of weight may suffer from this condition. Sleep apnea is a huge problem since it can cause complications during pregnancy, including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, heart burn, and low birth weight.

During your first trimester, you might feel extremely tired; thus, it is essential to create a sleep schedule. It is vital for pregnant women, like you, to prioritize sleep and to find effective strategies to manage their sleep problems. Try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks to help ensure that you can fall asleep on time. You must also avoid drinking plenty of liquids a few hours before going to sleep to reduce the need to get up and use the bathroom throughout the night. If you suffer from sleep apnea, immediately talk to your doctor.

Choose A Mattress For Pregnant Women

There are certain experts who recommend pregnant women, to sleep on the left side, with their knees slightly bent. This position will stop your unborn child from putting a lot of pressure on your internal organs. It is advisable to get used to sleeping this way during your first trimester, so that when you enter your second and third trimester when sleeping problems usually develop, you will be able to get used to this position.

To make this position as comfortable as possible, you need to select the right mattress. You might have a different preference for comfort and support, especially when you are pregnant. For this reason, you have to know what you need to look for when choosing a mattress during your pregnancy.

Provide Proper Weight Distribution: Most pregnant women experience discomfort, pressure, and pains on their hips. This is because of the changes in body proportion during pregnancy. For this reason, you need to find a mattress that can properly distribute your weight and away from the high pressure points, including areas around the hips and shoulders. The mattress must be able to adjust to the shape and weight of your body, as well as your spouse.

Provide Adequate Support: The most common symptoms that pregnant women suffer from are soreness, back pains, and stiffness. To get the comfort level you need, you must get a mattress that can offer adequate support for your back and ensure the proper alignment of your spine during sleep.

Eliminate Pressure Points: Another feature you need to look for in a mattress is its ability to reduce and eliminate pressure points around the hips and shoulder areas. Thankfully, there are mattress types that can support the body weight without forcing the user to change position every now and then due to the painful pressure points.

Kris Lim is a mother of one who knows how sleep can be frustrating during pregnancy. For this reason, she writes about the importance of sleep and how to choose a mattress that is good for pregnant women. She also writes for online mattress stores, including ParklaneMattresses.com.