Pregnancy and insomnia

Dodow Team here, and we’re going to tell you the TRUTH about pregnancy insomnia a new baby. We reckon you've already been told that sleep becomes a luxury after the arrival of a new baby – and before the birth, you think you have 9 months to prepare yourself psychologically. Kind of like this:

Actually, you’re feeling more like this:

Obviously, this calls for an explanation. All this hullabaloo is to be blamed on hormones.

HGC is a hormone produced by the embryo. This is the hormone detected by pregnancy tests that also gives you nausea at any time of day. It is used to create what is called the yellow body (or corpus luteum), a structure inside the ovary that produces another hormone, progesterone

Estrogen is another hormone produced by your body to prepare it for the new baby. It makes your nasal mucous membrane and palate tissues swell, which shortens your breath and blocks your nose, which can make you snore. It relaxes the ligaments of your uterus, which grows and compresses your bladder to make space for baby…

Because of progesterone and estrogen, your emotions are all over the place and you might end up trading your nights for long existential musings that keep you awake.

On top of it all, everything hurts… absolutely everywhere!

Progesterone makes your breasts swell, and they come become painful as soon as the third week of pregnancy. Your uterus and your baby’s extra weight weigh on your muscles, which explains the cramps you get in your legs, your back or your butt in the middle of the night.

Starting with the fifth month, you can even get headbutted or kicked by an active baby.

Fortunately, Dodow has some tips to fall asleep that can make your life a little easier.

Pregnancy and yoga

Yoga poses specially made for pregnant women do exist! To make your life a little more zen, try out a pose and have your baby and your body enjoy the benefits of a thousand years old science.

Pregnancy and food

If the baby is pressing on your bladder, it better be empty! You will wake up a little less often to go the bathroom. However, as a pregnant woman you can prioritize some foods over others to help you fall asleep. On the other hand, some foods are absolute no-nos…

Pregnancy and forbidden foods

If you're worried about the other side the of the coin, take a look at our article on pregnancy and foods to avoid.

Cardiac coherence

This breathing exercise puts your body in a relaxed state where it is easier to fall asleep. Try our short video to learn how to use cardiac coherence!

Thanks to all these tips, you should have a broad list of options to fall asleep. If you would like to do the exercise from your bed, try Dodow!

To help you out, Livlab invented little tool to help the biggest insomniacs among you get into gear. By projecting a soft blue light on which you can focus your breathing, Dodow should help you access the time-proven benefits of meditation and fall asleep easily.

Positions to sleep at night

For a good position to sleep at night, lie down on your left side or sideways on your belly with a leg folded up. You can also put a pillow underneath your belly or your knees. To improve your blood circulation, put your feet up high. If you put your feet on a footstool when you’re sitting, the feeling of heaviness that you might be having during the day should vanish.

Go to sleep at regular times, your body will get used to your timetable and you will find it easier to fall asleep at the same time.

Side effects of sleeping pills

There are many ways to alleviate your ailments, but one thing is for sure: definitely no sleeping pills, they’re bad for the baby! And he isn’t the only one suffering: sleeping pills have secondary effects on you as well. Prefer baths to relieve your pains before bed, but not in water that’s hotter than 38°C (100°F). Even if hot water is said to calm contractions, be careful: if you’re at the end of your pregnancy and the contractions continue after coming out of the bath, it’s time to go to the hospital! It might be the beginning of labor…

All these symptoms are normal signs of pregnancy, but if they bother you too much you mustn’t hesitate to ask your doctor for help.

In any case, in the meantime you’ve got Dodow to help you fall asleep… naturally! :)

To find out more:

Try out these 7 tips to fall asleep fast!

Learn the secrets and sleep and doze off!

Liked it? Share :)