How can I get Comfortable Enough to Sleep during my Third Trimester?

By : Admin

The third trimester of pregnancy is, for many women, the most uncomfortable. While the first trimester of pregnancy is known for morning sickness, and the second trimester of pregnancy is known for feeling the best, the third trimester is known for its aches, pains, and generally being uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are things that you can do to try to bet comfortable enough to sleep during your third trimester.

One thing that you can do to get more comfortable at night during the third trimester is to work on a comfortable sleeping position. Now, this may sound difficult when you feel as though you have a large melon strapped to your stomach, but it is possible. Many women have success lying on their left side with their knees bent. You should try to tuck a pillow under your stomach, as well as another pillow between your legs. Lying in this way may not only be more comfortable for you, it also provides better flow of blood for your baby, as well.

For some women, if lying on their left side doesn't work, sleeping in a reclining chair may work. Here again, use pillows (and a little bit of imagination!) to work out a comfortable position.

The third trimester is also marked by more frequent trips to the bathroom, which can often be uncomfortable and can disrupt your sleep. To help with this, you should limit the amount that you drink after 6 PM. Be sure that you are getting enough to drink earlier in the day, however. You should also cut down caffeine, if you haven’t already cut it out altogether.

Leg cramps are another cause of sleep disruptions during the third trimester. To reduce leg cramps, you can do some leg stretching exercises just before you go to bed. Doing regular stretching exercises may help to reduce cramps, or to eliminate them altogether. When you do get a leg cramp, you should use heat on the affected area.

The good news is that the third trimester doesn’t last forever. Even if you aren’t able to get comfortable at night right now, you will have a much easier time of it once your little bundle of joy has arrived. Of course, then you will have to worry about nighttime feedings!

Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.