Dealing with insomnia during pregnancy can be difficult at times. The fact of the matter is that the medications designed to help with sleep are, in many cases, either not safe for the woman to take during pregnancy, or they have not been sufficiently tested as to their safety during pregnancy. Having said that, by knowing what the causes of insomnia during pregnancy are, it is possible to deal with that insomnia more effectively.

During the first part of pregnancy, insomnia is very often caused by a hormonal change. During your first weeks of pregnancy, you will have a huge increase of the hormone progesterone. Progesterone can contribute to insomnia on a couple of levels. First of all, progesterone tends to make a woman feel fatigued. This fatigue can, ironically, make it difficult for a woman to fall asleep. In addition, progesterone can have a sedative effect. This may cause the pregnant woman to feel as though she needs to take more naps during the day, which can then lead to troubles with sleeping at night.

When you get further into your pregnancy, you may find that your insomnia is caused by different things. For example, as your baby grows and grows inside your belly, it can be difficult to find a sleeping position that is comfortable. If you are used to sleeping on your back or your stomach, getting used to sleeping on your side can be an adjustment. In addition the urge to urinate can often wake you up more than once in the middle of the night. Leg cramps, backaches, shortness of breath and an increased heart rate are all other side effects that can keep you up.

To go about dealing with insomnia during pregnancy, you have to identify the cause. Is it discomfort? Find a way to get comfortable. For example, many women find that sleeping on their side with a pillow between their legs can help. Do you have insomnia during early pregnancy? Fight off those daytime naps so that you can sleep better at night. Regardless of the cause of your insomnia during pregnancy, you can certainly try treatments like herbal teas and relaxation CDs, as many women have found that these are the most effective ways for them to go about dealing with insomnia during pregnancy.

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