Dr. Lisa M. Cannon cannot emphasize enough the importance of sleep to a person’s overall health. A lot of health issues arise from the lack of sleep, which can lead to more serious problems, especially from pregnant women. For today, Lisa M. Cannon discusses ways that pregnant women can get some well-needed sleep at night.
List which food should be avoided.
For dinner, a lot of doctors recommend against caffeinated food and beverages, as well as spicy dishes for pregnant women. While these can prevent people from sleeping altogether, they also result in acid reflux and indigestion, which pregnant women are already prone to.
Limit food and drink intake before bed.
Lisa M. Cannon advises pregnant women to eat lighter meals two to three hours before bed time. And while plenty of water is always a plus, it should be limited before going to sleep, so as to keep pregnant women from waking up to urinate.
Make the bed as comfortable as possible.
Pregnant women oftentimes face challenges when finding a comfortable spot to lie in bed. Pillows can be useful for supporting the tummy and back. Put a pillow between the legs, too, which can help support the lower back and make sleeping on the side easier. Some ideal types are the wedge-shaped pillow and the full-length body pillow.
Don’t stress over the little things.
It’s a lot easier said than done, especially for pregnant women, but Lisa M. Cannon urges them to learn to let the little things go. If that’s not possible, they can talk to friends, family members, or professionals who can listen and lend advice. This goes a long way when trying to get a good night’s sleep.
Dr. Lisa M. Cannon is a New Jersey-based physician. She earned her degree in medicine from New York City College and her fellowship in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine from the renowned Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Learn more about her practice on this website.
Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon 