Pregnancy often brings on a multitude of sleep disturbances, including nausea, heartburn, leg cramps, and snoring. These sometimes unavoidable problems may be aggravated by bad sleeping habits picked up before you were pregnant. Follow these guidelines to get a better night's sleep – in pregnancy and beyond.
Cut down on caffeine. Cut down on caffeinated substances such as coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate (too much of which aren't safe, anyway), and avoid them entirely in the late afternoon and evening.
Drink less in the late afternoon and evening. While it's important to drink plenty of fluids when you're pregnant, drink more in the morning and less in the late afternoon and evening to help you cut down on bathroom breaks during the night.
Avoid heavy meals and spicy foods before bedtime. Spicy foods such as chili or acidic foods such as tomatoes in any form can cause heartburn and indigestion. So can eating a big meal too close to bedtime. Instead, eat a lighter evening meal at least two to three hours before hitting the sack.
Snack before bedtime to ward off nausea. If you're troubled by nausea (common during the first trimester), keep your stomach from getting empty by eating frequent bland snacks such as crackers, especially before bedtime.
Don't work out late in the day. Although exercise is great for your mental and physical health during pregnancy, make sure you work out early enough in the day to give your body time to unwind after a workout. You want to be done exercising at least three to four hours before you turn in for the night.
Practice relaxation techniques. Learn about sleep-inducing techniques such as guided imagery, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation.
Leave your worries at the bedroom door. If you keep a "worry list" – of questions, concerns, or things to do – finish making your list at least an hour before bedtime, and don't start tackling it until morning. One exception: If you wake up with middle-of-the-night anxieties, writing them down may help you be able to go back to sleep.