How to Get a Good Night's Sleep when you are Pregnant

Before your baby is born, it seems like everyone says to make sure you get plenty of sleep because you will not sleep much after the baby arrives. The tough thing about that is sleeping while your are big and pregnant is pretty difficult. A big belly, heartburn, leg cramps, a tiny bladder, etc all make for miserable sleep.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. To sleep better at night, get moving during the day. Stop strenuous activity by mid afternoon. Try yoga and deep breathing exercise to help relax and reduce stress.

2. Take a nice warm bath before bed. Make sure the water is not hot. Nice and warm will do great though. The bath can help eliminate muscle strain and leg cramping. It will also decrease swelling in your arms and legs.

3. Decrease the amount of acidic foods you eat. The acid is causing the uncomfortable heartburn keeping you up at night. Try an over the counter acid reducer (approved by your physician) to help also. Do not wait too late to eat. The closer to bedtime that you eat a heavy meal or big snack, the more likely you will have heartburn at night.

4. Finally, when you are ready to climb into bed, get comfortable on your side. Your left side is the best side to get great blood flow to the baby. Get a big body pillow to help support your leg, belly and arm. Be sure to stay off your belly, for obvious reasons. Also, avoid sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your back causes less blood flow to the baby and can also cause the dreaded hemorrhoids.

Resources

• Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow
• Leachco Back 'N Belly Contoured Body Pillow