What Causes Sleepless Nights During Pregnancy?
There are many things that can cause pregnancy insomnia, including stress, anxiety, discomfort, body aches, and pregnancy-related hormones. It’s common to experience sleepless nights During your pregnancy, this is a very common problem and you are not alone!
Pregnancy insomnia can start at any point during pregnancy, but it typically becomes more common in the third trimester. The third trimester is when the baby grows the most and pregnancy symptoms are at their peak, which can increase the chances of having a sleepless night.
What Can I Do to Sleep Better during Pregnancy?
As your pregnancy progresses, you may find it more and more difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Many women experience increased fatigue and frequent trips to the bathroom, which can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Luckily there are a few things you can do to help improve your sleep during pregnancy!
First, try to establish a regular bedtime routine including a relaxing activity such as reading or taking a long bath. This will help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down for the night.
Second, wean yourself off screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime. The blue light from TVs, phones, and laptops are a huge disruption to your body’s natural sleep cycle.
Third, create a comfortable sleep environment by making sure your have pillows that support your belly and back, and your sheets are clean and cool.
Lastly, consider using herbal remedies such as chamomile or lavender tea to promote relaxation.
An experienced mama tip – even if you just follow one of the tips provided here, you will notice a dramatic difference within a few nights! .
Here are more sleep tips for better sleep during your pregnancy, visit this post >>> Sleep Tips For Pregnant Women
Will a Pregnancy Pillow Help Me Sleep Better?
The short answer(based on my experience) is Yes! – my pregnancy pillow did help me get more comfortable and relaxed at night which led to more good night sleep!. Also,as my body grew and changed I used it even for seating on the sofa and for occasional rests.
Now let’s dig into the details: when you have your body supported, your joints and muscles become more relaxed. This allows you to sleep more comfortably. In addition, pregnancy pillows can also ease back and pregnancy hip pains, as well as overall discomfort.
By sleeping with such a pillow, you can reduce your tossing and turning at night, as it calms your body, helps you relax and feel much more relaxed during the night
Quick Summary: Top Recommended Pregnancy Pillows, Rated by Experience Moms
Pregnancy Pillow | Best For |
Bluestone’s Mini U-Shaped Pillow | Shoulders, back, and neck pain relief |
Queen Rose’s U-Shaped Full Body Pillow | Tall Pregnant Ladies |
Milliard’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow | Adjustable from sleeping to reading to working with laptop on your lap |
PharMeDoc Pillow With Cooling Cover | Great for summer pregnancy |
DMI Side Sleeper Pillow | Perfect for in the car or in travel |
PharMeDoc C-Shape Full Body Pillow | Full Body support for your back, hips, knees, neck and head |
Full Review: My Favorite Picks for Pregnancy Pillows to Help You Sleep During the First Trimester
1.Best For Shoulders, Back, and Neck Pain Relief: Bluestone’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Bluestone’s Pain Relieving U-Shaped Sleeping Bed Pillow is designed to promote healthy sleeping posture by reducing neck and back strain. Featuring a built-in ear pocket on either side, this pillow will keep your head and neck well-positioned all night long if you sleep on your side. It can also function as a travel pillow !
2.Best For Hot Summer Pregnancy: PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow With Cooling Cover
The u-shaped pregnancy pillow from PharMeDoc offers you all the support your body needs… and so much more. This contoured pillow embraces your whole body in a gentle hug with a detachable segment that can be used as a stand-alone pillow.
As a bonus, hot sleepers will enjoy it as well, since its cooling cover easily disperses heat to keep you cool at night. One of the best things about this pillow is how easy it is to clean. Simply throw it into the washing machine! No extra care needed.
3.Great For Tall Pregnant Ladies: Queen Rose’s U-Shaped Full Body Pregnancy Pillow
This pillow is an impressive sixty-five inches long, which means that it can provide support pretty much to your entire body as it is long enough to do so. Featuring an ergonomic shape and premium filling, it is both soft and supportive. But you can just as easily remove some of the padding if you find it to be a bit too stuffed.
4.Adjustable From Sleeping to Reading to Working With a Laptop on Your Lap: Milliard’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
As you progress from trimester to trimester, it’s not uncommon to notice aches and pains you didn’t have before you got pregnant. Thus, having an ergonomic u-shaped pregnancy pillow is crucial. Due to this, Milliard pillows are designed to be extra comfortable for individuals who experience constant changes in their bodies.
This pregnancy pillow is super versatile, with memory foam filling that can be adjusted to fit your needs, allowing you to get the exact amount of support you need.
5.Perfect for in the Car or in Travel: DMI Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
For some pregnant women, staying home and nesting is the very essence of perfection. Still, there are moms-to-be who may want to get out and travel the world before the baby arrives. Whatever your reason may be, choosing the DMI pregnancy pillow is a good idea. The compact shape of this pillow will help keep your neck, back, and shoulders aligned.
6.Full Body Support for Your Back, Hips, Knees, Neck and Head: PharMeDoc C-Shape Full Body Pillow
The C-shaped pregnancy pillow is a great way to feel cozy in bed during pregnancy. While sleeping on your side, you can wrap the curved pads of this pillow around your body, giving you added support on your neck, head, back, and pelvis.
Can I Use Natural Remedies to Fight Insomnia While Pregnant?
Yes, you can! Cause Mama’s gotta get her sleep! So don’t hesitate to try some of the below natural solutions, and if you are not sure about them, you can also talk to your healthcare provider about some of these solutions.
Melatonin-rich foods
One option is to try foods that are rich in melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep and it’s found in foods like bananas, tomatoes, and walnuts. Eating foods that contain melatonin may help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer.
Magnesium Supplementation
Another option is magnesium supplementation. Magnesium is a mineral that’s involved in over 300 different biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle relaxation. Research shows that magnesium deficiency is linked to insomnia, so taking a supplement may help improve your sleep.
Essential Oils
Finally, some essential oils have been shown to be effective for Insomnia. Lavender oil, in particular, has been shown to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. You can add a few drops of lavender oil to your diffuser before bedtime or add it to your bathtub for a relaxing evening soak.
Final Words Before Bedtime
Pregnancy can be a wonderful time filled with anticipation and excitement for the arrival of a new baby. However, it can also be a time of restless nights and fatigue. It’s estimated that up to 40% of pregnant women have difficulty sleeping, so you are not alone!
My Pro Mama Tip is just hang in there and do whatever it takes to get more comfy. Prop your bed, and purchase a good pregnancy pillow. Add some lavender drops to your diffuser, and sink into a relaxed night. Trust me, those nine months will fly by and before you know it, you’ll be holding your little one in your arms. Sweet dreams!