There’s no question how important a restful night’s sleep is—science has been quite clear on the matter. Which becomes twice as concerning for an expecting mother, who needs that rest and rejuvenation more than most and yet is also more likely to struggle with sleep.
To overcome the challenge and get that well-deserved rest, we recommend these five tips for expecting mothers:
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1. Invest in good pillows.
Lots of them. It can be hard to find the perfect way to sleep when you’re expecting, but for most women it will involve the strategic use of quite a few pillows—pillows under the bump, pillows between the knees, pillows everywhere. It’s a sound investment for any expecting mother.
2. Stop drinking liquids shortly before bed.
As pregnancy progresses, your kidneys are going to be working for two and your uterus is going to be pressing on your bladder—not a great thing when you’re trying to sleep. Drink a healthy amount throughout the day, but taper off a few hours before bed to help minimize those midnight pee trips.
3. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions.
Some things are inevitable and to be expected in pregnancy—but that doesn’t mean your doctor can’t help with some of the issues you face, or make recommendations.
4. Make sure you’re getting your nutrients.
Cramps, aches & pains, and restless legs all frequently stem from a single problem—nutritional deficiencies. Make sure you’re getting plenty of iron and folate in particular—but any deficiency can cause insomnia, and becomes more common with a pregnancy.
5. Experiment with mattresses.
If you have an adjustable mattress or the budget for a new one, experiment thoroughly—with the differences in how you need to lay to be comfortable during pregnancy, you may also find you need a different mattress to sleep well. This can be a surprising source of trouble for expecting mothers with a strong preference for a particular mattress type, as they simply don’t consider their current mattress a potential problem.
You can find out more about getting a good night’s sleep, its importance to the body, and your options by contacting Land of Sleep today. We'll be glad to help you figure out exactly what you need to make the most of your restful sleep!