Pregnancy truly means a different sleep schedule. Hopefully this one is a given- but your sleep during pregnancy will likely change. You’ll have different needs. & different aches & pains. You might not even be watching the same kind of shows if you’re anything like me! Anything too violent or sad before bed & I was a total mess. I also had terrible insomnia! I’ve compiled a list of my pregnancy tips & tricks for better sleep & hopefully they can help you too!
Start a Routine
For me, a routine before bed helped immensely! I started realizing how much drinking tea & relaxing before bed really helped so I invested in a super cheap coffee maker (this one is under $20 & works great!) for upstairs. I brewed up some hot water then drank something safe for pregnancy! I tried a bunch but actually really loved the Traditional Medicinals – Organic Pregnancy Herbal Tea. While I laid in bed sipping my tea, I used my BellyBuds which are prenatal headphones. I played music & sometimes talked to her in my tummy. Read more about these cool tech headphones for your tummy right here! If I was especially nauseous (which I was pretty much all the time) I also popped an UpSpring Stomach Settle Drop for Nausea Gas Bloating & Motion Sickness Relief. These drops are packed with ginger, lemon, spearmint, B6, & honey. They really go well with tea!
Try Yoga or Stretching
Now if you’re anti-yoga please don’t just skip this part! While pregnant I had pains in muscles I didn’t even know existed- & yoga combined with basic stretches really helped! I upgraded to a really nice, thick yoga mat (this one from Amazon is a steal!) for extra support. & honestly, even not pregnant these rock! There are tons of books out there about yoga- but if you want something that is feminine & not too intense, I’ve been enjoying Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body. There are also pregnancy yoga books but I prefer this one that is more long-term & is for every body shape. Some great poses to try while pregnant are Child’s Pose, Seated Side Bends, & Legs-up-the-wall pose. Consult your physician to make sure they okay you!
Best Sleeping Positions
The best sleeping position for pregnant women in their second & third trimesters is on their left side. By then you won’t be sleeping on your stomach & it is preferred not to sleep on your back for optimal circulation & to reduce pressure on the organs & fetus. I had a really hard time with tossing & turning all night due to some pretty intense hip pain. By the third trimester, I was dying for a good nights sleep & the Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow really helped a TON! It provides support both on your back & your bump without being stiff. If you want something a bit more versatile, the Boppy Pregnancy Support Pillow has a shape that allows it to be used outside the bed as well, like the couch where I also parked for hours at a time. It is a great shape to put between your knees!
Find Your Optimal Temperature
Let me start with- you need to research pregnancy temperatures. You don’t want to raise your temperature too much as it can harm the baby’s development! BUT with that said, I found this Microwaveable Hot/Cold Heating Pad incredibly handy. I’d put it in the microwave then put it on my extremely chilly feet! I hate wearing socks but my circulation to my feet was awful my whole pregnancy. My toes felt like icicles! This helped so much! Plus, you can use it post-pregnancy for breastfeeding back-pain or neck pain…which I definitely have!
Pick the Right Blankets & Bras
Your boobs really change during pregnancy & even a little support made me feel more comfortable while sleeping. I ended up really liking these Lamaze Overnight Wide Breastfeeding bras. They’re soft, I am able to use them now while breastfeeding at night, & they are breathable! Another BIG tip? If you sleep in the same bed with your partner- get another blanket. Seriously. Using two comforters meant I could toss & turn & flip my blankets around without waking him up! & he didn’t get to steal my blankets!
Please share any of your pregnancy tips below- especially if they help with sleep! Know someone pregnant or trying to get pregnant? Send them this post to help them out!
