Sleep is so important that a mother's sleep quality can affect a child in utero. Research has established that sleep apnea in pregnancy negatively affects birth outcomes. But long-term impacts are unknown. Children exposed to a mother's sleep apnea in utero are not at greater risk for later developmental vulnerability.
How Lack of Sleep Affects Pregnancy. Lack of sleep is more than an inconvenience. New research suggests that women who don't get enough sleep during pregnancy may have higher risks of developing pregnancy complications including: Preeclampsia, or high blood pressure.
Sleep is a necessity — especially when you're pregnant! In answer to the question, “How many hours should a pregnant woman sleep?” most doctors recommend eight to 10 hours per night.
It's common to feel tired, or even exhausted, during pregnancy, especially in the first 12 weeks. Hormonal changes at this time can make you feel tired, nauseous and emotional. The only answer is to rest as much as possible.
When is pregnancy exhaustion not normal? While exhaustion is a common symptom of pregnancy, extreme fatigue is not normal and may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Dr. Saunders said you should see your health care provider if your fatigue is severe and persistent.
Although experience with fatigue tends to vary, most women will feel more tired than usual during their pregnancy. Fatigue during pregnancy is most common during the first trimester. It tends to go away during the second trimester, but will usually return in the third trimester.
In the second trimester, which begins at week 13, many women get a fresh surge of energy. This is a great time to tackle those important before-baby-arrives chores, because as you enter the third trimester, which begins at week 28, that extreme exhaustion returns.
Fatigue is most common in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy because this is when your body changes and starts adapting to the development phases of an embryo. This is when the placenta, the main source of life-support for your baby, is growing.
So when these drop, we can feel a bit dizzy, lethargic, or weak. In order to maintain balanced blood sugar levels, we need to consume enough food. As you're adjusting to the new nutrient needs as a result of your pregnancy, if you feel a bit dizzy at times, this may be a sign that you're not eating enough.
It's normal to feel fatigued and even exhausted during the first months of pregnancy. Fatigue, even extreme fatigue, is an early sign of pregnancy that nearly all women experience in the first trimester. It's also very normal in the third trimester, affecting an estimated 60 percent of all pregnant women.
Women who usually need only 6 hours of sleep at night often find they need nearly double that during these first weeks of pregnancy. And for others, daytime tiredness is paired with trouble sleeping deeply or for more than a few hours at night. Nausea and vomiting can also be a big drain on your energy.