What Causes Insomnia before Labor?

Insomnia before labor is a common problem faced by pregnant women. Insomnia is the best signal that labor is coming closer. It does not mean that everyone will experience this symptom. As labor gets closer, hormonal changes and other pregnancy-related discomforts can exacerbate sleeping difficulties. Several factors contribute to insomnia before labor, as addressed by Dr. Sadhbhavna, the best Multispeciality Gynae Clinic in Chandigarh.

Factors that contribute to insomnia:

Physical Discomfort:

As the pregnancy grows, it is difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. It becomes more problematic, especially when a person experiences pregnancy-related aches and pains and frequent urination. These cause further disruption.

Hormonal Changes:

As labor comes closer in the final weeks of pregnancy, the body produces more oxytocin. This is a hormone that helps stimulate labor and also promotes wakefulness. In addition, the thyroid hormone level also increases gradually and becomes higher before labor, which may disrupt sleep.

Stress:

As pregnancy gets closer, women may feel worried about labor or overwhelmed about becoming mothers. This can result in an effect on sleep in the weeks before labor. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions can also affect sleep problems during pregnancy caused by bad preexisting conditions or new conditions that develop during pregnancy.

Acid Reflux:

The occurrence of acid reflux during pregnancy may worsen sleeping problems during pregnancy. Acid reflux is a condition that can wake up a person at night, leading to insomnia.

Restless Legs Syndrome:

According to research, pregnant women frequently experience restless legs syndrome, especially as labour approaches. One of the prominent causes of RLS is nutritional deficiency.

Sleep Disordered Breathing:

Pregnant women often experience snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, resulting in disturbed sleep.

Conclusion:

Dr. Sadhbhavna Clinic, one of the top Gynae Clinic in Chandigarh, always recommends to seek physician if you are having difficulty with insomnia during pregnancy. Though there is little evidence that insomnia causes pregnancy complications, some studies suggest that it may have an effect on the fetus's health. This is the reason why speaking with a healthcare professional can help a person get access to the necessary advice and therapies. Fortunately, there are effective treatments for pregnancy-related insomnia, such as sleep hygiene, lifestyle changes, talk therapy, medications, etc. Before that, a person should discuss the risks and benefits with a physician.

Published on: 14-02-2023