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| Sleeplessness Causes | Post-Partum
As might be expected, mothers of newborn babies experience a lot of sleeplessness and daytime sleepiness, which may contribute to the "postnatal blues" experienced by 75-80% of most new mothers.
It is usually a temporary condition, but it can become extremely serious and even put a new mother at risk for suicide. On the whole, it is treatable with professional help and will improve as the baby develops and establishes regular, nighttime sleep.
Snoring and Severe Daytime Sleepiness
Pregnant women who have never snored before may begin doing so.
- About 30% of pregnant women snore because of increased swelling in their nasal passages. It may partially block the airways.
Snoring can also cause a high blood pressure, which can put both the mother and fetus at risk. If the obstruction is severe, sleep apnea may result, characterized by loud snoring and periods of stopped breathing during sleep.
Thus the lack of oxygen disrupts sleep and may affect the unborn fetus. If noisy snoring and severe daytime sleepiness (another symptom of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders) occur, consult your physician.
Secondary Restless Legs in Pregnancy
Up to 15 percent of pregnant women develop Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) during the third trimester. A causal cause may be iron and/or folate acid deficiency.
In general, RLS is more prevalent in women than men. Symptoms of RLS make it difficult to fall and stay asleep due to an uncontrollable urge to move the legs in response to unpleasant, restless, creepy feelings in the legs. These feelings become visible when at rest and often disrupt sleep as well.
Consequently, moving the legs can stop these symptoms temporarily, but the irritation returns when the limb is still. Luckily, RLS symptoms usually end after delivery of the baby.
Medications used to cure RLS may cause harm to the fetus and should be discussed with a doctor.
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