Insomnia in pregnant women

Difficulty falling asleep during pregnancy (Insomnia)

Insomnia, or sleeplessness, during pregnancy is persistent difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep. A woman may toss and turn in bed for hours, unable to \"turn off\" the stream of thoughts, or wake up in the middle of the night and be unable to fall back asleep. It is one of the most exhausting symptoms, resulting from a combination of physiological and psychological causes.

Why is it so hard to fall asleep?

The basis of insomnia in pregnant women is a state of hyperarousal, when the nervous system cannot shift into a relaxation mode.

• Psychological anxiety: This is a key factor. Worries about the baby's health, upcoming delivery, life changes and relationships keep the brain in an active state. These thoughts can become intrusive, which is a sign of prenatal anxiety.
• Physical discomfort: It is hard to fall asleep when the body cannot find a comfortable position. Back pain, hip pain, heartburn that worsens in a horizontal position force frequent changes of posture.
• Restless legs syndrome: An irresistible urge to move the legs that arises while at rest, preventing relaxation and sleep.
• Frequent urination: The need to get up to the bathroom as soon as you start to fall asleep is a common source of frustration.

Creating a calming evening routine, avoiding gadgets before bedtime, and relaxation techniques can help train the nervous system to rest. Read more about this in the article \"Sleep during pregnancy\". This symptom is also listed under ID insomnia.