Insomnia during pregnancy is a common problem, and it can even start before you know you’re pregnant. It is caused by a variety of issues: hormonal changes, chemical changes in your brain, or the increasing pressure on your lungs and internal organs by the expanding womb, for instance. You must address it, whatever the cause, however; unchecked, it can contribute to the development of numerous other issues such as gestational diabetes and breathing problems.

Start addressing your insomnia during pregnancy as soon as it becomes an issue. Your solutions will be different depending on the stage. In the first trimester and part of the second trimester, pregnancy insomnia is generally caused by hormones and morning sickness (which can happen any time of the day, not just in the morning!) Drugs should only be used as a last resort, and only after talking to your doctor; this includes over the counter drugs and antihistamines, which are frequently used for their soporific effects.

Begin addressing insomnia during pregnancy with behavioral changes. Do you work or watch television in your bedroom? Stop right now; start treating your bedroom as a room to sleep in, and do your work and entertainment in other rooms.

Install blackout curtains to eliminate any external light, and consider picking up either a white noise machine or some CDs with white noise or ocean sounds to play while you’re going to sleep. Do everything you can with your bedroom to turn it into a haven for sleeping, not an all purpose room.

An excellent treatment for insomnia during pregnancy is sex. You do not have to worry about getting pregnant now, and you may find that due to a number of physical changes, sex is more pleasurable than ever during your first and second trimesters. You would not hurt the baby, you will get even closer to your partner, and you will find that the release of hormones after orgasm will really help you sleep quickly and soundly.

Address all your worries as early as you can. Insomnia during pregnancy is often caused by a woman’s habit of worrying about everything and anything as soon as she is not distracted by the rest of her life. Stop! Make lists to get it out of your head, have an action plan.

Keep crackers in your room to quell morning sickness (a common worry), tell your partner your worries and let him take care of you. Most importantly, take steps during the day to eliminate the sources of your worries. You will find that they drift away surprisingly quickly.

In your second and third trimesters, insomnia during pregnancy is often caused by physical changes. Your changing body shape shifts your center of gravity, places stress on your back, and squeezes your internal organs. You may find that you have more leg cramps than you thought possible as your hormones start preparing your uterus for childbirth, and loosened ligaments may cause joint pain.

Start by getting squishy pillows. Experiment with pillows under your neck, the small of your back, and between your legs as you sleep on your side. You can often take care of insomnia during pregnancy simply by reducing pressure on key parts of your body. Also, if you have a problem with reflux and morning sickness in the morning, make it a habit to sleep on your left side; this makes it easier for your stomach to digest things properly.

Do not overlook this stellar opportunity to get massages. Your partner is not going to be having labor pains; you are! Shamelessly exploit this fact to get massages anywhere you feel stress.

You may find that just that extra touching and pampering by itself will eliminate your insomnia during pregnancy. If none of these measures works, you should talk to your doctor before your insomnia becomes a serious problem, draining you of the energy you are going to need when your little one is ready to come out.

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