When you’re pregnant, there are lots of new reasons why you might be having trouble sleeping at night. Maybe you’re just uncomfortable, or the fetus is moving around when you’re trying to doze off. In any case, it can be difficult to get the rest you need and deserve! The next time you find yourself awake when you’d rather be sleeping, read over these simple steps to help beat pregnancy insomnia.
Start by creating a comfortable, dark room just for sleeping. That means you don’t want to be using your bedroom as an office, to watch TV or anything else! By training your brain associate your bedroom as a space (only) for rest, it will be much easier to relax.
Next, try adding soothing scents, music, or baths to your evening routine. Certain smells, like eucalyptus, can help ready the brain for rest. Any calming pre-bedtime ritual in the last hour of your day will also help get you in the mood for sleep.
Also get into the habit of practicing meditation, or a gentle yoga routine. Learning to focus, breathe and relax habitually throughout the day will help you later at night when you need to release tension – a natural first step to falling off to sleep.
And if you’re still having difficulties getting to sleep, be sure to talk with your doctor to see what options are available.