Generality
Insomnia in pregnancy is a fairly common sleep disorder.
The changes that the woman's organism undergoes in this particular phase of life, in fact, can negatively influence night rest and cause difficulty in falling asleep. Within certain limits, insomnia in pregnancy is therefore considered as a phenomenon in a normal sense, but this should not be underestimated. In certain situations, in fact, it can become a crippling disorder and can be an indication of some basic diseases not yet diagnosed.
What is that
What is Pregnancy Insomnia?
Insomnia in pregnancy is a sleep disorder that occurs frequently in pregnant women. Truth be told, although it can also affect male patients, insomnia is a widespread disorder in women, regardless of pregnancy or not.
However, in general, insomnia in pregnancy is not considered as a serious disorder, however, in some situations it could represent the symptom of basic pathological conditions that require particular attention. For this reason, in the presence of sleep disorders during gestation, it is a good rule to inform your doctor and / or your gynecologist, even more so if these reflect negatively on the quality of life of the pregnant woman.
Causes
Possible Causes of Insomnia in Pregnancy
The causes of insomnia in pregnancy can be of different origins and nature. In fact, the disorder can be triggered by:
- Physical causes : as mentioned, the changes that take place in the shape of the body and within the mother's body can have a negative impact on night rest.
- Hormonal causes : the distortion of hormonal levels - a phenomenon that naturally occurs during pregnancy - has the ability to influence a woman's sleep.
- Emotional causes : pregnancy represents a particular period in a woman's life, delicate and full of changes that lead the pregnant woman to perceive many emotions and feelings, sometimes positive and sometimes negative. Both types can affect sleep ability and sleep quality.
- Pathological causes : in some cases, unfortunately, insomnia could represent the symptom of some psychiatric diseases that can affect pregnant women, such as anxiety and depression.
The aforementioned causes can give rise to insomnia in pregnancy at any time, however - excluding the causes of pathological nature that can occur indifferently in any month of pregnancy - each stage of gestation is characterized by the presence of different factors that can cause the aforementioned sleep disorder.
First Trimester of Pregnancy
In the first trimester of pregnancy the main causes that can favor the appearance of insomnia are mainly due to hormonal changes (increased levels of estrogen and progesterone) that typically occur in this period, which is followed by the appearance of frequent attacks of nausea and vomiting, the appearance of daytime fatigue that causes the expectant mother to take frequent naps during the day and the increase in the frequency of urination that can cause night awakening. To all this, we add the emotional causes deriving from excitement and, sometimes, from the concerns that may manifest themselves in the future mother. As for the physical causes, on the other hand, they can be negligible during the first trimester of pregnancy, since the changes that occur in the woman's body are generally not so marked that they can be considered responsible for insomnia.
Second and Third Trimester of Pregnancy
As the pregnancy proceeds the changes in the woman's body increase, starting from the second trimester, in fact, fetal movements begin and there is a gradual increase in the size of the belly . All this can negatively influence the rest of the pregnant woman who can struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep due to the movements of the fetus and, at the same time, may find it difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep (for example, women used to sleeping in the prone position - that is, on the stomach - they can no longer assume this posture due to the increased size of the belly). Furthermore, following the growth of the fetus and any pressure exerted by it on the bladder, there may be a further increase in the frequency of urination .
In addition to all this, other disorders can also occur that can promote the appearance of insomnia in pregnancy, such as heartburn and gastritis, cramps and tingling sensation in the legs .
Furthermore, towards the end of pregnancy, hormone levels in the body of the pregnant woman undergo other changes. In detail, there is an increase in the production of oxytocin in preparation for labor. However, this hormone - undoubtedly useful for childbirth and for the subsequent stage of breastfeeding - can negatively influence night rest, giving rise to insomnia.
Of course, the emotional causes are not lacking even in the second and third trimesters; on the contrary, generally the mix of excitement and concern tends to become more marked as the date of delivery approaches.
Incidence
When and in How Many Women Does Insomnia in Pregnancy Occur?
Sleep disorders are widespread during pregnancy, so much so that it is estimated that more than 90% of pregnant women are affected.
In addition, it has been estimated that the frequency of sleep disorders is different in the various stages of gestation and tends to be greater towards the end of the same. In detail, it is estimated that insomnia in pregnancy occurs in the first quarter with an incidence of 13%, in the second quarter with an incidence of 19% and in the third quarter with an incidence of 66%.
Despite the aforementioned statistics, only a small percentage of these women - although they report the symptoms - believe to be suffering from a real form of insomnia in pregnancy that must be treated. Clearly, the execution of the diagnosis of insomnia in pregnancy is solely and exclusively up to the doctor and certainly not to the expectant mother.
Manifestations and Symptoms
Manifestations and Symptoms Associated with Insomnia in Pregnancy
Generally, insomnia in pregnancy can manifest itself with:
- Difficulty falling asleep within 10-20 minutes of going to bed;
- Difficulty or inability to get back to sleep when waking up at night;
- Early morning awakening, after which there remains a sense of tiredness and the need to sleep;
- Disturbed and non-restorative sleep that does not allow the pregnant woman to rest adequately and satisfactorily.
The condition of insomnia in pregnancy - in association with all the hormonal and non-hormonal changes typical of this period - can lead to the appearance of irritability, stress and restlessness. Unfortunately, these symptoms can further worsen the sleep disorders that afflict the pregnant woman.
In the event that the cause of insomnia resides in diseases such as anxiety and depression, the future mother could also manifest other symptoms closely related to these pathological conditions (for more information on this, we recommend reading the articles dedicated to these psychiatric illnesses already present on this site).
Did you know that ...
Despite, in some cases, insomnia in pregnancy may represent the symptom of one of the aforementioned psychiatric illnesses; in some pregnant women the insomnia itself may be the cause of depressive symptoms. Therefore, in the presence of particularly marked mood alterations and in the presence of "abnormal" symptoms associated with insomnia, it is always good to contact a doctor promptly.
risks
Possible Risks Related to Insomnia in Pregnancy
With regard to the potential risks to which future mothers are exposed in the presence of insomnia in pregnancy, various studies have been carried out. From these, it was found that women who suffer from sleep disorders during gestation could present a greater risk of encountering:
- At the development of gestational diabetes;
- A lower degree of pain tolerance during labor;
- To a preterm birth.
Of course, every case of insomnia in pregnancy is self-standing and the aforementioned conditions do not necessarily occur; on the other hand, it is not possible to completely exclude this possibility. Therefore, in the event of any type of sleep disorder and insomnia occurring during pregnancy, it is reiterated the importance of contacting your doctor or your gynecologist.
Diagnosis
How do you diagnose Insomnia in Pregnancy?
The diagnosis of insomnia in pregnancy can be relatively simple to carry out by analyzing the symptoms and manifestations reported by the patient (difficulty falling asleep, non-restorative sleep, early awakening, etc.).
On the other hand, the diagnosis of any underlying pathological conditions may be more complicated, since the symptoms induced by anxiety and depression could manifest themselves in a subtle manner, making it difficult to determine exactly the presence or absence of psychiatric illness.
Cures and Remedies
Cures and Remedies for Insomnia in Pregnancy
Given the side effects that can occur on the fetus, the use of sleeping drugs (sleeping pills and sedative-hypnotics) is generally contraindicated during pregnancy.
To remedy the problem of the impossibility of taking drugs, many advise taking herbal teas based on medicinal herbs with a relaxing and sedative action, such as, for example, linden-based herbal teas. However, since many of the commonly used medicinal herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy, before taking them in any form, it is necessary to seek the advice of the doctor and the gynecologist .
Medicinal Herbs in Pregnancy: Chamomile Yes or No?
The use of chamomile in pregnancy is a rather controversial topic and the subject of numerous debates. In fact, in theory, chamomile should be contraindicated in pregnancy, since the active ingredients contained in it can exert - especially at high concentrations - an exciting effect rather than a sedative one and may be able to favor uterine contractions.
However, the infusion obtained from chamomile flowers that is normally used as a mild sedative should not contain excessive amounts of active ingredients and, for this reason, many doctors consent to the intake of herbal teas made from this medicinal herb by pregnant women .
However, given the conflicting opinions among the various doctors and gynecologists, it is not advisable to take chamomile without asking for the preventive opinion of the aforementioned health figures.
Behavioral Precautions Against Insomnia in Pregnancy
Sometimes, the use of simple behavioral changes and / or small changes in one's lifestyle can be very effective in defeating - or at least limiting - insomnia in pregnancy. In detail, pregnant women suffering from sleep disorders should:
- Avoid eating spicy foods and exciting foods or drinks (such as tea, coffee or chocolate), especially before going to bed.
- Avoid making too abundant meals that would make digestion difficult, increasing any heartburn and any gastritis if present, resulting in difficulty sleeping.
- Always try to go to sleep at the same time.
- In the winter season, taking a warm bath before going to sleep helps relax. In summer, however, it may be useful to take a warm bath to get relief from the heat.
- In case of nocturnal awakenings, if you are unable to get back to sleep quickly, it can be useful to get up and take a few steps.
- Perform mild physical activity, of course, if pregnancy allows it. It has been shown, in fact, that the performance of an adequate motor activity helps to relax and to combat insomnia. To promote relaxation it can be particularly useful to follow disciplines such as yoga. Fortunately, nowadays, yoga and gymnastic courses specifically designed for future mothers are available in many cities.
Treatment of Insomnia in Pregnancy Induced by Pathological Causes
In the event that insomnia is linked to pathological causes such as anxiety and depression, the aforementioned remedies and behavioral measures are not sufficient to cure the disorder. In such situations, in fact, the intervention of the doctor and specialized health figures appears to be of fundamental importance for the expectant mother who needs an adequate psychological support to defeat the aforementioned diseases, therefore insomnia in pregnancy induced by them.
