For pregnant women experiencing insomnia, certain drinks may help promote relaxation and sleep, including warm milk and select herbal teas.
Drink an Herbal Tea
Ross adds that lavender and lemon balm teas are also great, safe choices to help with insomnia during pregnancy. Some herbal teas are not recommended during pregnancy, so always check in with your doctor before brewing a cup.
What helps insomnia during pregnancy?
These include over-the-counter medicines (antihistamines), herbal remedies (ginseng, honey, nutmeg), melatonin, and prescription medications. Always check with your doctor first on what medications would be safe. Pregnant women are generally advised to avoid medications, including sleep medicines, during pregnancy.
Insomnia remedies in pregnancy
It's best not to nap in the afternoon or evening as this may mean you're not tired at bedtime. Avoid tea, coffee or cola drinks in the evening, as the caffeine can make it harder to go to sleep. You could join an antenatal yoga or pilates class.
The second trimester often brings some relief. But by the third trimester, it can become hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. At this stage, high levels of estrogen can also cause some women to develop rhinitis (swelling of the nasal tissue), which can be associated with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Choose a light grain-and-dairy snack, such as crackers with low-fat cheese and fruit, or low-fat yogurt with toast and apple butter. Wait an hour before lying down. These healthy pregnancy foods will digest quickly so you (and your stomach) can rest. If you love spicy food, go for it, but only for breakfast or lunch.
There's no single "hardest" month, as challenges vary, but many find the first trimester tough due to nausea, fatigue, and hormonal shifts, while the third trimester (months 7-9) often brings the most physical discomfort from the baby's size, affecting sleep, mobility, and causing aches, heartburn, and frequent urination. The difficulty often shifts as pregnancy progresses, with the first months focused on adjustment and the later months on physical strain and preparation for birth.
Pregnant people may start to have trouble sleeping as early as the first trimester when hormone levels start to change. Sleep problems become more common in the third trimester as the body changes and fetal growth continues. Common causes of insomnia during pregnancy include: Nausea.
Melatonin is not usually recommended during pregnancy because little is known about its effect on babies. Speak to your doctor if you become pregnant while taking melatonin. They'll help you decide whether to carry on taking it or to stop.
It's common to wake up a few times a night, usually because of such discomforts as back pain, needing to urinate, leg cramps, heartburn, and fetal movement. Strange dreams are also common in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
While it's considered safe to consume in moderation during pregnancy, regular use (drinking chamomile tea each night before bed, for example), has been associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight.
It can last throughout pregnancy, but it may come and go in waves. While early pregnancy insomnia might improve by the second trimester due to more stable hormones, many women still face sleep challenges during the third trimester.
Studies show that some of the best natural remedies for sleep include cannabidiol (CBD) extract, lavender, magnesium, melatonin, and passionflower. Your health care practitioner can help you sort through the options, including any potential medication interactions to be aware of.
Taking medications to help you sleep during pregnancy are not recommended. This includes: prescription sleeping tablets. herbal medicines.
A cup of chamomile tea before bed may relax you. However, there is a suggestion it could stimulate your uterus or lead to circulation problems for your baby. Higher rates of preterm labour and miscarriage have also been reported. It is best to avoid drinking chamomile tea in large quantities.
It's a type of exhaustion that doesn't always go away with rest. Your body is working hard to support your growing baby, and that takes a lot of energy. Most women feel the most tired during the first and third trimesters. For some, it can start as early as one week after conception.
Five key warning signs during pregnancy needing immediate medical attention include vaginal bleeding, severe headaches with vision changes, decreased baby movement, severe abdominal pain/cramping, and signs of preterm labor like regular contractions or fluid leakage, as these can signal serious issues like miscarriage, preeclampsia, placental problems, or infection. Always contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency care for these symptoms.
A new study, led by Columbia researchers, suggests that mothers who experience poor sleep during pregnancy, particularly during the second trimester, are more likely to have children with neurodevelopmental issues, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as sleep problems and emotional dysregulation ...
What week do most miscarriages happen? More than 80% of miscarriages happen during the first trimester or by the end of the 14th week.
The second trimester of pregnancy is often the most enjoyable. Find out how to relieve common symptoms — and consider ways to prepare for what's ahead. The second trimester of pregnancy often brings a renewed sense of well-being. The worst of the nausea often is gone.
After age 35, there's a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that might lead to a C-section delivery. The risk of chromosomal conditions is higher. Babies born to older mothers have a higher risk of certain chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome. The risk of pregnancy loss is higher.
Bananas are an excellent source of magnesium and potassium which help relax overstressed muscles and make them an ideal go-to snack before bed. They also contain all-important tryptophan to stimulate production of those key brain calming hormones.
Enter berries! Raspberries and blackberries offer satisfying, sweet-tangy flavor while containing less sugar than many other fruits plus 8 grams of fiber per cup. Strawberries and blueberries are also great choices. Many berries are less acidic than other grocery store staples like citrus fruits.
15 Healthy Bedtime Snacks That Support Better Sleep