Drinking warm milk helps with insomnia especially in the final trimester by releasing tryptophan in your body, a natural occurring amino acid that induces sleep.
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You only need 300 calories a day more than before you were pregnant.
Here are FIVE facts you may not have known about pregnancy:
- Accidents during pregnancy never cause birth marks.
- Boy babies outnumber girl babies.
- A fetus does not have bowel movements before birth.
- If you are within the normal weight range for your height you are less likely to suffer problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy.
- All the eggs you will ever produce are stored in your ovaries before you are born.
Sleep Tips for Pregnant Women
- In the third trimester, sleep on your left side to allow for the best blood flow to the fetus and to your uterus and kidneys. Avoid lying flat on your back for a long period of time.
- Drink lots of fluids during the day, but cut down before bedtime.
- To prevent heartburn, do not eat large amounts of spicy, acidic (such as tomato products), or fried foods. If heartburn is a problem, sleep with your head elevated on pillows.
- Exercise regularly to help you stay healthy, improve your circulation, and reduce leg cramps.
- Try frequent bland snacks (like crackers) throughout the day. This helps avoid nausea by keeping your stomach full.
- Special “pregnancy” pillows and mattresses may help you sleep better. Or use regular pillows to support your body.
- Naps may help. The NSF poll found that 51% of pregnant or recently pregnant women reported at least one weekday nap; 60% reported at least one weekend nap.
- Learn to relax with relaxation and breathing techniques, which can also help when the contractions begin. A warm bath or shower before bed can be helpful.
- Talk to your doctor if you develop medical problems and/or insomnia persists.
Once her baby is born, a mother’s sleep is frequently interrupted, particularly if she is nursing. Mothers who nurse and those with babies that wake frequently during the night should try to nap when their babies do. Sharing baby care to the extent possible, especially during the night, is important for the mother’s health, safety, performance and vitality.
Provided by: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/hot-topics/sleep-tips-pregnant-women
