Sleep is vital to your growing baby, not only now, but as he grows into an adult. The National Sleep Foundation in the US offers a few tips on how to prepare for a good night’s sleep, including the best sleeping positions for pregnant women.
Pregnant women in their third trimester may want to make an effort to hit the sack earlier after a new study found that poor-quality sleep in the last stretch of pregnancy might lead to adult obesity in their offspring.
Sleep patterns follow health of offspring
Another batch of pregnant mice were allowed to sleep uninterrupted in another cage.
The findings were published recently in the journal Diabetes.
Use these tips to prepare for a good nights sleep
- 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 fluids during the day, but cut down before bedtime.
- 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.
- Napping may help. An NSF poll found that 51 percent of pregnant or recently pregnant women reported at least one weekday 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.
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