Sleeping during pregnancy can get a bit tricky, especially on the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. To get a decent night’s rest, simply follow Christina’s tips.
When you’re an expectant mother, you already have difficulties throughout the day that consist of aches, pains, nausea and frequent urination. But, having uncomfortable, sleepless nights should NOT be one of them.
In the first trimester, your body is going through some major changes and is usually the most uncomfortable part of your pregnancy. The best thing you can do here is get as much rest as you possibly can. Don’t try to fight it, just slow down and rest for a bit. Try to remember that you should listen to your body, so when you feel tired, don’t hesitate to lie down for a while.
Tip: Sleep on your left side. This will keep the blood flowing as well send the proper nutrients to the baby. It also enables your kidneys to get rid of any extra waste and fluids that you may have. The benefit of this is that it decreases swelling.
By the second trimester, you should be feeling much better overall. In fact you may have bursts of energy, which is a great thing. At this point, your baby bump may be showing a little bit more. As your belly grows it will get harder to get comfortable while resting.
Tip: Use a body pillow to help alleviate back pain and muscle strain while sleeping. If you don’t have one, use a standard pillow between your knees and a smaller one under your belly to help align your back.
Your third trimester will be the most challenging when it comes to getting adequate sleep. By this time, your belly has grown tremendously and is uncomfortable in many ways. If you haven’t already, I would recommend purchasing a complete body pillow as noted above. These really work well.
Tips: Exercise daily, stretch your body before bedtime (it helps relax you and the baby), drink plenty of water throughout the day (less as the evening progresses), avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, eat small nutritional meals frequently, and take naps periodically.
