Sleep Patterns And Insomnia During Pregnancy

Sleep Patterns And Insomnia During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is very demanding for any woman and is a time of great sleep disruption. Many factors contribute to this: hormone changes, the growing fetus, bodily discomfort (vomiting, heartburn, cramp, pressure on the bladder), mood changes, and anxiety related to delivery. The postnatal (post-birth) period comes with interrupted sleep pattern in the period when the new baby’s demands take precedence. Some women develop sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea, for the first time.


Obese women who are pregnant and women who gains excessive weight while pregnant are at a high risk of developing sleep apnea. A drop in blood oxygen levels at night is associated with potential complication for the baby. It is important that any overweight woman or woman who gains a lot of weight during pregnancy should be assessed by a a doctor evidence of sleep apnea.


The other major sleep disorder that can occur during pregnancy is restless legs syndrome (RLS) and leg cramp. About 15-25 percent of women develop RLS during pregnancy in association with iron deficiency, and women with low folate levels are also at risk. Although RLS will resolve after delivery, it is an additional stressor during pregnancy and can disrupt sleep, so make sure that you have adequate iron and vitamin B12 levels in your blood before and during pregnancy

Don’t be hard on yourself – pregnancy and the first 6 months with a new baby is extremely demanding physically and emotionally, and just getting through the day is an achievement in itself. If you feel your “baby blues” are not lifting or if feel depressed, seek professional advice. Depression can negatively affect infant mother bonding besides your own state of well being.

Initially, it will be difficult for you to have unbroken sleep during the night. But the good news is that once your baby has regular sleep wake pattern (by about 6 months) things will start to return to normal. To combat fatigue, make sure you eat well. Iron levels are low after pregnancy and this can make you feel more tired. Scheduling a nap when the baby is napping during the day helps, as does having a partner or family member who can assist with household chores.

Unsurprisingly, women experience more awakenings at night after delivery (for feeding of the baby), although this tends to settle after the first month. Many mothers find daytime naps are a good way to compensate for this disruption in sleep during the night.