Unveiling the secret of why pregnant women often have nightmares with medical experts

During pregnancy, women will experience certain health problems. In particular, the phenomenon of pregnant women or nightmares is quite common. So is this a strange phenomenon? Why such a change? In the following article, General Internal Medicine specialist Nguyen Lam Giang will help you better understand this condition. We invite you to find out! 

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• Why do pregnant women have nightmares?
• Pregnant women or nightmares are harmful to health?
• Advice for pregnant women

Why do pregnant women have nightmares?

During pregnancy, dreams, especially nightmares, change. Having nightmares during pregnancy is an unwanted experience for many pregnant women. There are many reasons for this phenomenon, including:

Mood swings make pregnant women have nightmares

Hormonal changes in the three trimesters have a huge impact on the body of the mother and fetus. Among them, emotion is one of the most obvious changes. Pregnant women often feel more intense and sensitive emotions than before. Nightmares can be a rearrangement of feelings that arise during pregnancy, both positive and negative.

Because, pregnancy is a time full of joy and anticipation when a woman prepares to become a mother. However, they also face anxiety and stress about the labor process to welcome the new member. Therefore, pregnant women often have nightmares. This problem is more common in first-time mothers than in those who have given birth.

See more: Headaches during pregnancy: Useful tips for pregnant women

Physical changes make pregnant women have nightmares

Dreams occur during the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. A night of sleep typically goes through these four to five stages.1 In pregnant women, there are more awakenings and less REM sleep. Pregnant women have to get used to their new body while experiencing daytime fatigue. All of these factors increase the risk of having nightmares while sleeping. Nightmares as a solution to that fatigue. Therefore, many pregnant women may experience more frequent nightmares if they are constantly worried.

In addition, many hormones also change in quality and quantity during this time. When in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, the level of progesterone is higher than normal. This hormone not only affects the emotional side of the day, but also increases nightmares.2

Hormonal changes during pregnancy make pregnant women tired, which can easily cause nightmares

Pregnant women or nightmares are harmful to health?

In most cases, nightmares are transient. It is seen as an emotional release solution. Nightmares should subside by the end of the third trimester. Instead, mothers will dream about giving birth.

Many families worry that the nightmare will make the mother sad and sad. Some studies have shown that although there may be an increase in depressive symptoms during pregnancy , pregnant women with nightmares have a shorter period of labor, and a reduction in postpartum depression.2

However, when mothers regularly suffer from nightmares, mothers are at risk of developing preeclampsia . Preeclampsia is a condition in which untreated high blood pressure turns to eclampsia. Pregnant women may coma, convulsions due to progressive blood poisoning. In addition, many mothers have this negative experience in the first 3 months of pregnancy which increases the risk of preterm birth.2

Since then, it has been shown that having nightmares with a frequency of many times will affect the health of pregnant women throughout pregnancy. Therefore, pregnant women need to be very careful.

Pregnant women with frequent nightmares have a higher risk of preterm birth than those who do not have nightmares

Advice for pregnant women

The nightmares and other dreams caused by recurrent anxiety during pregnancy may be random or due to the release of stress hormones in the brain. Whatever the reason, the solution to prevent pregnancy or nightmares is absolutely necessary. Here are two effective ways to help you relieve this condition, including:

Relieve anxiety

Talking about nightmares is the best way to reduce their frequency. You can talk about nightmares with your doctor, husband, or trusted friend.

Being honest and open about your nightmares can make you more anxious. However, when you deal with them with loved ones, it will help you to be more courageous. They will point out to you that your genuine concern is completely normal. You should also keep in mind that many moms have the same problem. Relieving anxiety is the key to untying the knots of nightmares in pregnant women.

See more: Revealing for you ways to sleep without nightmares

Sleep hygiene

In addition, the improvement of sleep hygiene needs special attention in pregnant women. Simple solutions to improve sleep quality and repel nightmares in pregnant women such as:

• Stick to a fixed bedtime. Maintaining a fixed circadian rhythm will help you sleep deeper and better. Thereby regenerating positive energy, repelling nightmares.1
• Do not drink liquids before going to bed. Because pregnancy has created a great evil force on the bladder. This helps pregnant women limit the feeling of wanting to urinate in the middle of the night.
• Keep the room dark and quiet and maintain a comfortable temperature. It is best to turn off the television and electronic broadcasting devices in the room, and at the same time pull the curtains when you sleep.
• Pregnant women can take a nap. However, you should only take a short nap of about 30 minutes instead of a long nap.
• Practice healthy relaxation habits. For example, take a deep breath, read a book, listen to music, use essential oils, etc.

Do not drink a lot of liquid before going to bed to avoid pee disrupting sleep

Hopefully, the above article has helped you better understand the state of pregnant women or nightmares . This is not a strange phenomenon, it is quite common. The anxiety and hope of being a mother will make pregnant women prone to nightmares. Many studies show the harmful effects of this condition on both mother and baby's health during pregnancy when experiencing this phenomenon. Therefore, eliminating stress and improving sleep quality will help mothers repel nightmares and sleep more soundly.