Sleep During Pregnancy: Get the Rest You Need

Quality sleep during pregnancy is important as you support your baby’s development. But what happens when bathroom urges, leg cramps, mom-to-be worries, and just getting comfortable are keeping you from sleeping while pregnant? Try these tips.

For many women, the first trimester is the best one sleep-wise. Your body is working hard to nurture and protect your baby’s new home. Plus your heart is pumping faster and you’re creating more blood. All of this results in fatigue during those first few months. Many women find that they are sleepy all the time, and afternoon naps and nighttime sleep during pregnancy seem to come easily. However, as you enter your second and third trimesters, a bigger belly, leg cramps, and bathroom urges can cause restless nights. These strategies for better sleeping while pregnant can help you get the rest you and your baby need.

Getting Comfortable

• Try sleeping on your side. This position will help relieve any discomfort from the baby’s weight—especially on your back. If possible, try sleeping on your left side; it helps improve circulation and will keep your uterus from applying pressure to your liver, which is on your right side.
• Snuggle with a pillow. To help support your abdomen, place a pillow under your stomach. Placing another pillow between your knees may also take away some back stress and pressure.
• Clear congestion. Saline nasal sprays and humidifiers can help combat congestion, which affects many pregnant women, especially at night.

Preventing Wake-Ups

• Kick the cramps. If leg cramps are keeping you up, do calf stretches before bed, make sure you’re drinking enough water, and exercise regularly—all may help reduce charley horses. Some preliminary research suggests that magnesium may help, too, but stick with food sources such as whole grains and beans. Don’t take a magnesium supplement without your doctor’s OK.
• Calm your legs. Restless leg syndrome, the constant need to move your legs, can affect some women during pregnancy and is thought to be caused by low levels of iron and/or folic acid. Make sure you’re getting enough iron in your diet by eating lean meat and fish. It’s best to get folic acid from a prenatal supplement, which can support all of your nutrient needs.
• Rest your worries. If you wake up with anxiety, try attending a birth, parenting, or even a prenatal yoga class. Sharing with other moms-to-be can help ease your worries and allow you to feel more in control.
• Reduce bathroom trips. Bothered by needing to go to the bathroom repeatedly during the night? Try drinking plenty of fluids early in the day, then cutting back later.
• Watch for heartburn triggers. Heartburn affects many pregnant women and can be particularly bothersome in the evening hours, preventing sleep. Try eating smaller meals, and avoid fried or spicy foods, citrus juice, and carbonated drinks. Elevating your head (with a pillow or by slightly raising the head of your bed) can also help.

Healthy Habits to Encourage Sleep

• Get into a routine If you’re going to take a nap, take it earlier in the day. Then go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. By getting into a sleep routine, your body will start adjusting to this schedule.
• Exercise during the day. Exercise is a great way to keep your weight gain on track (excessive weight gain can affect sleep comfort), reduce stress, and improve circulation (which helps with leg cramps). For most women, it’s best to keep exercise earlier in the day—it can have an energizing effect that you don’t need close to bedtime.

If sleep during pregnancy continues to elude you, bring up the issue with your doctor. Sleep is key to maintaining the energy you and your baby need during these months.