You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Bump to Birth<br />
9 Months<br />
Second Trimester<br />
You should be enjoying better sleep during your second<br />
trimester. Your body would have adjusted well to your<br />
pregnancy by now and you may not feel as tired as you used<br />
to in your first trimester. However, there may still be causes for<br />
sleepless nights, such as:<br />
• Physical issues such a leg cramps and blocked nose.<br />
• Morning sickness, which some women tend to suffer from<br />
throughout pregnancy.<br />
• Indigestion and heartburn during the night.<br />
Your baby might start getting more active, which might result<br />
in him kicking and moving around in your tummy while you<br />
are trying to settle in for the night. Unnecessarily worrying<br />
about the future might also keep you awake, as you find<br />
yourself tossing and turning in bed.<br />
Third Trimester<br />
As your time for delivery gets closer, you may find that<br />
getting a good night’s sleep seems almost impossible. In fact,<br />
most pregnant women rate their sleep quality as poor in the<br />
final trimester.<br />
In this trimester, you may find your bump is just too big for<br />
you to sleep comfortably. Lying on your left side, with pillows<br />
wedged in-between your knees and behind your back, is still<br />
the best sleeping position for you. It may be the only way<br />
to increase your comfort level and allow you a more restful<br />
night’s sleep.<br />
Your growing baby is now putting pressure on your bladder<br />
too. This means more midnight toilet trips, especially if you’ve<br />
had lots to drink before bedtime. Try taking in less fluids at<br />
night and also, empty your bladder completely when you’re in<br />
the toilet.<br />
During this trimester, you may find that your sleep may be<br />
interrupted by other pregnancy issues as well, such as:<br />
• Backache<br />
• Leg cramps<br />
• Heartburn<br />
• Vivid dreams<br />
The truth is, losing some sleep is something every pregnant<br />
mother might have to endure en route to having a baby. So,<br />
think of it as a rehearsal for when your baby is born.<br />
Some solutions to try<br />
• Switch to sleeping on your left side<br />
Sleeping on the left side helps to improves circulation to the<br />
heart and allows for better blood flow to the fetus, uterus,<br />
and kidneys. After 16 weeks into your pregnancy, it is not a<br />
good idea to sleep on your back as your baby is now putting<br />
pressure on your blood vessels.<br />
Try lying on your left side, with your knees up and have two or<br />
more pillows between your knees to contain the pressure at<br />
your hips and pelvis. If you wake up in the middle of the night<br />
and find yourself sleeping on your back, just roll over to your<br />
left side and continue sleeping. Alternatively, you could place<br />
a couple of pillows behind you to stop you from rolling over to<br />
your back.<br />
• Have a sleep routine<br />
Try to have a regular bedtime. Although it is tempting to<br />
sleep in, try not to as it would make it harder for you to doze<br />
off at night.<br />
• Wind down to get ready for bedtime<br />
Take some time to relax, as bedtime gets closer. Avoid<br />
vigorous activities or even scary movies. Instead, have a warm<br />
mug of milk or read a book to wind down.<br />
Will lack of sleep harm<br />
my baby?<br />
Sleeplessness is very common in pregnancy but it won’t<br />
harm your baby. It can, however, make you feel overly<br />
tired or exhausted. Sleep deprivation may lead to a<br />
longer labour or even a caesarean section. Listen to your<br />
body and rest when you can. If you’re a working mumto-be,<br />
think of taking your maternity leave a little earlier<br />
so you can catch up on all the rest you need.<br />
<strong>Baby</strong><strong>Talk</strong> | <strong>January</strong> <strong>2019</strong> 11
Change language