Sleep Better During Pregnancy

Congratulations! You’re pregnant.

In a few months you’ll become a new parent and it’s important you get as much sleep now as possible because when the baby comes sleep will be hard to come by. Though the first trimester can be rough with morning sickness and exhaustion, the second trimester is typically easier with most pregnancies leaving morning sickness behind and a renewed sense of energy. However, by the 15th week of pregnancy sleeping on your stomach or back is not as comfortable as it was before and nighttime sleep can become a problem. As your pregnant body developes you’ll find you experience a better night’s sleep by sleeping on your side. But even sleeping on your side can take its toll, causing pain to the back, shoulder, hip and ear cartilage.

What’s a future mom to do to sleep better during pregnancy and get comfortable?

Sleep Better During Pregnancy Photo by Damien cansse

Get a latex body pillow as soon as possible, that’s what! Sleeping on your left side helps you breathe better during sleep even though it adds stress to your shoulder hips and lower back. But a latex body pillow helps provide your body with the support and alignment it needs during pregnancy. Long, cylindrical, u-shaped pillows, latex body pillows may cost more than the average pillow but it’s money well spent. Ideally, you should have a regular pillow for head and neck support and a latex body pillow for side sleeping. Some pregnant women also opt for a third pillow for between or even under their knees.

In addition to latex body pillows, your mattress is an important part of how well you sleep whether you’re pregnant or not. A good mattress topper can make all the difference. Memory foam mattress pads are a saving grace during pregnancy because special foam conforms to and supports just the right spots, leaving you with hardly any aches in the morning.

The closer you get to your due date, the more difficult it becomes to get a good night’s rest.

As the baby gets bigger you may feel like your bladder gets smaller and you have to go make trips to the bathroom more frequently, even in the middle of the night. Drinking less in the evening doesn’t help and staying hydrated is important for the baby’s health and yours. Rather than cutting back on liquids, consider having your last big drink for the day an hour before going to bed.

Though all of us should be getting a consistent 7-8 hours of sleep per night, it doesn’t always happen. With busy schedules 5-6 hours is the norm. But pregnancy is not the time to shortchange yourself when it comes to sleep. Growing new life is hard work and your body needs rest. It’s up to you to control your bedtime by establishing a routine and committing to maintain this routine for your health and the baby’s. To determine your new bedtime, subtract 8 hours from the time you need to be awake. Then subtract 45 minutes from that time, taking into account the 15 minutes you’ll need to get ready for bed (shower, brushing your teeth, etc.) and 30 minutes to unwind in bed and fall asleep. This should be your new bedtime. Commit to this time.

With latex body pillows, memory foam mattress pads and a variety of mattresses to choose from, STL Beds can make a good night’s sleep during your pregnancy a reality. STL Beds has been helping pregnant moms get a better night’s sleep for over twenty-five years.