Sleep during pregnancy isn’t just about how rested you feel—it plays a role in your baby’s developing biological rhythms. Emerging research shows that a mother’s sleep patterns, light exposure, and circadian rhythm can influence the fetal sleep–wake cycle, even before birth.
Understanding this connection can help you make small changes that support both your health and your baby’s development.
Women late in their pregnancy often have many discomforts and ailments. One of the ways that late-term pregnancy can negatively impact women’s health is by interrupting their sleep. Pregnancy can make sleeping very difficult, which is unfortunate, considering how important sleep is for pregnant women. Bladder issues, back pain, and just general discomfort can negatively impact sleep, especially for those later in their pregnancy.
It's also common for women to feel dizzy, lightheaded, and as if they are not getting enough blood to their brain when they are lying down. This is known as supine hypotensive syndrome, or inferior vena cava syndrome. We will discuss what this syndrome is and what you can do if you feel as if you are affected.
