Dreams

If all the aches and pain that accompany pregnancy weren’t enough to deal with, having wild and crazy dreams at night can make some pregnant women question their own minds and leave them feeling sleep deprived. Here is what is commonly believed about pregnant women, sleep, and dreams:

Progesterone and estrogen, among other hormones, can affect how you sleep at night. They can cause you to have a longer REM sleep. REM sleep is when your mind dreams.

It is thought that pregnant women may remember their dreams easier because they wake up during the night more often than women who are not pregnant.

Stress, worry, and excitement can be overwhelming when you are pregnant. The subconscious mind often deals with anxiety and intense emotions while a person sleeps through dreaming.

Here is a rundown of a few common themes that can be found in the dreams of pregnant women:

Dreaming about the sex of your baby.

Dreaming of being harmed, or a family member being harmed.

Dreaming that a spouse or partner is cheating.

Dreaming that an old flame comes back around.

Dreaming that you had a litter of kittens or puppies.

Dreaming of work and doing silly things while you are there.

If you would like to try to get a good sleep without all of the vivid dreaming, there are some things that you can do to help your body rest well:

Keep your room dark and cool. Take anything out of the room which causes you anxiety. This could be a pile of laundry, a stack of bills, or even thank you notes you need to write and send.

Do not exercise in the hours prior to bedtime.

Do not drink too much water before bedtime. If you do drink a lot, you will probably find yourself waking up to go to the bathroom. This could increase the number of dreams you have a night.

Avoid caffeine late in the day.

Learn some relaxing breathing exercises or imagery exercises to do as you retire for bed. These will help clear your mind of anxiety.

Being in the proper sleeping position when you are pregnant can minimize how often you wake up to change positions. The best position for sleeping is on your side. Sleep on your side with one or both knees bent. Many women like to place a pillow between their knees and beneath their abdomen. If your mattress is too soft, have someone place a board under your mattress or get a new, firmer mattress.

Pregnancy is tiresome and a good night’s sleep can go a long way. With a little planning you can get the sleep you need during pregnancy.