While in the first and second trimester of pregnancy the woman feels more tired, in the third she tends to face sleep problems
Pregnancy is one of the main factors that interfere with the quality of night’s rest, as, during this period, women face a number of changes in their body that end up compromising their sleep routine, for example abdominal enlargement, discomfort caused by heartburn or reflex, pressure on the diaphragm and increased urinary frequency.
Second Dr Elena Hachulgynecologist in charge of the female sleep sector at the Escola Paulista de Medicina of Unifesp and member of the Associação Brasileira do Sono, tiredness and fatigue, two symptoms felt by pregnant women especially in the first trimester, are triggered by an increase in HCG beta hormone.
“In general, patients feel very sleepy, tired and want to sleep in the afternoon. In addition to nausea, which helps to have more fragmented sleep,” he says.
The doctor, who is also one of the authors of the research “Sleeping for two: the importance of sleeping well in pregnancy”, cites the main recommendations for dealing with these discomforts. “As much as possible, it’s important that women try to rest during the day, taking naps and even lying down for half an hour or forty minutes.”
Already in the second trimester, nausea and tiredness decrease, while other bodily changes become more evident. It is at this stage that many pregnant women usually feel a sense of calm, and since the belly has not grown much yet, there is no great harm in sleeping.
HOW TO IMPROVE SLEEP IN THE LAST QUARTER?
In the last trimester, the difficulty sleeping becomes even greater. This is due to several reasons: abdominal enlargement which affects the diaphragm and makes breathing difficult, greater pressure of the uterus on the bladder which generates the urge to urinate more often and anxiety (the day of the baby’s birth is approaching).
For this period, the gynecologist says that it is necessary to avoid sleeping on the back as much as possible, and that the ideal position is turned on the left side, as it helps to decompress the vena cava and promotes circulation. He mentions that lying on your right side is also a good option.
BEWARE OF SNORING
According to Dr. Helena, one of the discomforts that appear most often during the nine months of pregnancy is snoring. And it’s vital to keep an eye out for this symptom, as it can be associated with high blood pressure.
“We have many studies that have already shown that patients who snore are more likely to have poor neonatal outcomes. That’s why it’s important to look at snoring and apnea cases,” he warns.
Therefore, the gynecologist emphasizes that it is worth talking to your partner to find out if any of these conditions occur during a night’s sleep. And be sure to tell your doctor if this is happening.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.