Thes are all common conditions during any pregnancy.
How can I get a good night's sleep?
If you have cramps in your legs, pressing the feet
hard against the wall or standing up on the cramped
leg will help ease the discomfort. Lack of calcium can
make cramps worse, so it's important to get enough calcium
through milk products, for example.
A pounding heartbeat or shortness of breath is due
to an increase in the volume of blood in the body. If
you are anaemic, the heart must do more work in order
to transport enough oxygen around the body. Ask your
doctor or midwife if an iron supplement might help.
The best resting position when pregnant is to lie on
your side with your knees bent. This makes the heart's
job easier because it stops the weight of the baby applying
pressure to your large veins, which carry the blood
back to the heart. It is also much better for your lower
back to lie on your side.
If you have pain in your lower back, experiment with
extra pillows to see how you can make yourself more
comfortable when lying down. For example, try one pillow
under your abdomen, one between your legs, a firm one
behind your back and an extra pillow under your head.
Wanting to pass urine at night is common during pregnancy
because the growing baby puts constant pressure on the
bladder. It is probably unavoidable, but trying not
to drink too much late in the evenings might help a
little. Avoid drinks containing caffeine such as tea,
coffee, fizzy drinks since these stimulate your kidneys
to produce more urine and are also mild mental stimulants.
It might also help to lie on your side instead of on
your back. If it hurts when you urinate, you might have
cystitis, so take a sample of your urine to your doctor
or midwife.
The bigger your baby becomes, the more difficult it
will be for you to turn over in bed. If this is a real
problem, you could consider buying a turning sheet.
This is a two-ply sheet with two glossy sides, which
makes it easier to turn over because they help reduce
friction.
Dreams and nightmares can be disturbing and many women
suddenly remember much more of their dreams when they
are pregnant. Being in a different state such as pregnancy
creates a lot of new material for the subconscious.
Talking to someone else about your dreams can help you
make more sense of them and can make them less frightening.
If you are afraid of the delivery and the pain it may
cause, it is advisable to join antenatal classes. Here
you will be told what is going to happen to you and
which exercises will be helpful during the delivery.
It is also an opportunity to ask questions.
Talk with your doctor or midwife if you are afraid.
Almost all women worry now and then whether their child
is normal and fear that something could be wrong.
What can I do when I can't sleep?
Remember that sleeping pills are not recommended for
pregnant women. If you simply can't sleep, this is not
dangerous provided it does not exhaust you. Many people
benefit from relaxation exercises or from listening
to music.
If you feel tired during the day, see if you can take
a little nap. Go to your doctor or midwife and discuss
your problem. They can help you find a solution to your
problem.
If you have any further questions please
contact us.
