How does sleep deprivation during pregnancy affect the fetus? (2024)

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Insomnia during pregnancy is a very common symptom throughout pregnancy. This condition can happen due to the following reasons:
Changes in hormones. Not finding a comfortable sleeping position especially in the last months of pregnancy. Sleep often. Cramps are most common in the last trimester of pregnancy. Urinating frequently. The constant movement of the fetus makes it difficult to sleep.

Frequent sleep loss during pregnancy will lead to many bad effects on health. Despite providing enough nutrients, if you regularly lose sleep, it will make pregnant women not alert, can even lead to exhaustion, endangering health and life.
Insomnia makes the body less alert, exhausted Insomnia during pregnancy will make the spirit less alert, often falling into a state of sluggishness and fatigue.
Insomnia makes the brain deficient in micronutrients Regular sleep loss will cause the brain to lack oxygen and some substances leading to diseases such as irritability, headaches, and increased blood pressure.
Difficulty giving birth Prolonged sleep loss will increase the risk of cesarean section. Therefore, to avoid having to have a caesarean section, pregnant women try to get enough sleep at night.
Long-term labor According to research by experts, if in the first 3 months of pregnancy, you often lose sleep, the labor time will be longer than usual.
Decreased ability to concentrate, easy to get angry Prolonged insomnia will make pregnant women often irritable, irritable, easily distracted, affecting health and daily life.
Fast skin aging Frequent sleep loss during pregnancy not only affects the health but also affects the beauty of pregnant women. When you don't get enough sleep, your skin, especially the facial skin or areas that are often exposed to the outside, will be prone to aging, sagging and difficult to recover.

Constantly under stress Hormonal changes can cause physiological changes in pregnant women. If combined with regular sleep loss will increase stress levels, stress even cause depression, affecting the health of both mother and baby.

Any change in the body can affect the health and development of the baby. Insomnia during pregnancy can cause bad effects as follows:
Children are prone to anemia From 11pm to 3am is the time when the body produces red blood cells. If you often lose sleep, it will affect the blood circulation process, making the fetus prone to anemia right from the time it is in the mother's womb.
Children with developmental delay From the 24th week, children will develop strongly in mind and perfect the senses of the body. Without proper diet and sleep, metabolism can be affected, causing hormonal disturbances.

Getting 8 hours of sleep a day is very important for your child's health and development. In addition, pregnant women also need to go to bed before 11 pm and should take about 30 minutes of naps to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If you often have insomnia during pregnancy, you can apply some of the following measures:
Elevate the pillow while sleeping and lie on your side to reduce the pressure of the uterus on the pelvis.

Add foods rich in B vitamins such as beans, seafood, whole grains, green vegetables... to stimulate the brain, reduce stress and fatigue. Do not eat a lot of sweets because it will cause high blood sugar, making it difficult to sleep. If you can't sleep due to heartburn, eat some crackers or dry bread. Practicing yoga, gentle exercise, walking before bed will help reduce stress, limit cramps and have a better sleep. Do not nap for more than 1 hour to avoid fatigue, drowsiness and difficulty sleeping at night. If you have trouble sleeping, you can read a book or listen to soft music to relax and fall asleep easier. The period of October 9 of pregnancy has brought many difficulties and also many happiness for the mother. Therefore, mothers need to be taken care of both physically and mentally. In particular, insomnia occurring during pregnancy can seriously affect the health of the mother as well as the development of the fetus. Therefore, if pregnant women suffer from prolonged insomnia or suffer from diseases affecting their psychology and health during pregnancy, pregnant women need to go to medical centers for examination and treatment.
Currently, at the International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service, when choosing a package maternity service, pregnant women will be monitored and examined periodically with leading specialists. . Doctors will monitor and detect fetal abnormalities early, this is the great strength of Vinmec, which has carried out screening to detect fetal malformations very early and performed cytology intervention. Pregnancy offers many couples the opportunity to have a healthy baby. In addition, doctors will also examine and advise on the prevention and treatment of some common diseases during pregnancy such as insomnia, gestational diabetes, urinary tract infections, etc. maternal health before and after birth.

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