by Paul Joe Watson, Published: September 2, 2020, Expert Verified By: Stacy Sutton, PT, DPT, WCS
Insomnia. To explain the effects of insomnia during pregnancy, I spoke with Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, who is a Double Board Certified in OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine as well as the Director of Perinatal Services at NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln. Dr. Gaither cites increase rates of insomnia as being an issue particularly in the third trimester, occurring due to “frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate, back discomforts, leg cramps, marked fetal movement, difficulty in trying to find a comfortable position, and strange dreams.” But how can you fight insomnia during pregnancy? Dr. Gaither suggests using extra pillows for support, keeping daytime naps short, avoiding caffeinated drinks, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and drinking warm milk, due to the tryptophan it contains.
Click HERE for the full article.
