Help! Pregnant But Can't Sleep

The inability to get enough sleep whilst pregnant is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy.

So what are the main culprits for sleep problems in pregnancy?

• frequent visits to the toilet


• hunger


• leg cramps


• heartburn


• aching body


• feeling restless

Frequent visits to the toilet

This is very common and depending on how far gone you are, it might seem as if that no sooner you return to bed, you feel like going again.

Solution: If possible, try to reduce your intake of fluid a few hours before you retire to bed.

Hunger

One should not under estimate the power of hunger! Some women find themselves getting up during the night and raiding the fridge or cupboards for something to eat.

Solution: Not really a solution here because if you're hungry then you should eat! But what you could do is place a light snack by your bedside so at least you don't need to go all the way to the kitchen and find yourself tempted to get a drink - which would further make you sleep deprived because you would be getting up to go to the toilet.

Leg cramps

The extra weight carried as a result of the growing baby sometimes contributes to leg cramps and it could be rather uncomfortable and painful.

Solution: Giving your legs a massage would sometimes bring relief. You could get your partner to massage your legs if you find it hard doing it yourself. Try and elevate your feet as and when you have the opportunity - for example, when watching TV or reading a book. It is also advisable to keep your legs uncrossed all the time as this contributes to leg cramps in pregnancy.

Heartburn

This is another reason for sleep problems and very common among pregnant women.

Solution: If you enjoy spicy food, try to avoid having this for dinner. Spicy foods have a tendency to cause heartburn in pregnancy. Fizzy drinks are also known to have the same effect - so best to avoid it too.

Aching body

Feeling all achy can lead to a pregnant woman not having a good night's sleep.

Solution: You may find that soaking in a warm bath can do wonders. Be sure not to soak in hot water as it could be harmful to you and the baby. In my own case, when I was pregnant, I made the mistake of bathing with hot water, I immediately became faint, so be sure to use warm water.

Feeling restless

One of the reasons for being restless could be because the woman is now very heavy and finds it difficult to move from one side to other on the bed. Restlessness could also be caused by anxiety over the pregnancy and thoughts of what would happen during labour.

Solution: Rather than stay on the bed whilst feeling restless and allowing negative thoughts to enter your mind, it would be much better to get up and occupy yourself with a chore within the house and after finishing that, see if you would be able to get some sleep. You may also want to try having a warm glass of milk as it sometimes serves as a sleeping aid.