Reasons and solutions for poor sleep at night during early pregnancy

I have been very distressed these days because I found out I was pregnant two months ago. In fact, this is a very happy thing, but some troubles occurred afterwards. I don’t know why. I couldn’t sleep well at night in the early stages of pregnancy. The situation was very bad. I didn’t have the energy to go to work during the day, and I even lost my job. I was very stressed and depressed every day, and my family members were very worried about me. Later, I found a doctor and my illness was cured. I would like to share with pregnant women the reason why I couldn’t sleep well at night in the early stages of pregnancy.

1) Frequent urination

Due to pregnancy, the burden on the pregnant woman's kidneys increases, filtering 30% to 50% more blood than before pregnancy, so the amount of urine increases. In addition, as the fetus grows, the pregnant woman's uterus becomes larger, and the pressure on the bladder will also increase. Taking all the above factors into consideration, the frequency of urination increases. In addition, if the fetus is active at night, it will inevitably affect the sleep of pregnant women.

Countermeasure: You can drink plenty of water during the day, but start limiting your water intake a few hours before going to bed to reduce the number of times you go to the bathroom at night. Avoid coffee and tea in the afternoon and evening, although you've probably already stopped drinking these beverages to avoid caffeine.

Another trick is to lean forward when you urinate, which can help you empty your bladder completely. However, even if you take these measures, you may not feel much better. As one mother we know put it, "It's nature's cruel way of preparing you for the many restless nights your baby will experience after birth!"

2) Leg cramps and back pain. Abdominal deformation and weight gain make you have back pain, have difficulty turning over, and wake up easily.

Countermeasures: In the early stages of pregnancy, it is best to develop a side-lying position with your knees bent. This way, the weight of the fetus will not press on the large veins responsible for carrying blood from the legs and feet to the heart, thereby reducing the burden on the heart. The left side lying position is recommended because the liver is on the right side of the abdomen and the left side lying position moves the uterus away from the liver. Alternate between left and right sides to relieve pressure on your back.

3) Increased heart rate and shortness of breath

Because of the presence of the baby, the heart needs to pump more blood and beat more frequently, which makes your heart rate faster, feel uncomfortable, wake up easily at night, and have shortness of breath. As the uterus enlarges, it presses on the diaphragm below the lungs, making breathing difficult. In addition, due to the increase in oxygen demand in the body, pregnant women have to breathe faster.

Countermeasure: Develop good sleeping habits and regularity. In addition to maintaining a correct and comfortable sleeping posture, it is best to go to bed on time every night and wake up on time in the morning. If you develop this routine, your sleep quality will definitely improve greatly.

4) Heartburn and indigestion

Heartburn is caused by hormonal and physical changes in the body. During pregnancy, the hormone progesterone produced by the placenta relaxes the smooth muscles of the uterus. Progesterone also relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach (cardia), allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, causing uncomfortable heartburn. The hormones also slow down the wave-like contractions of the stomach, making digestion slower.

As your pregnancy progresses, your growing baby fills up your abdominal cavity, slowing down the rate at which your body excretes waste and causing stomach acid to rise up your throat. This process can be uncomfortable for you, but it's good for your baby because the nutrients that linger in your bloodstream can be more fully absorbed by your baby.

And when you are pregnant, you are very cautious in your heart, for fear that you may do something wrong and it may affect your body. There are actually many solutions to the problem of poor sleep at night in the early stages of pregnancy. I hope pregnant women understand and master it. After reading my story, I put a lot of pressure on myself, which is very bad for the baby in my belly. The mood of pregnant women is very important. I hope all pregnant women have a happy day.