During the last few months of pregnancy, many women find sleeping difficult. Finding a comfortable position when you’re eight months along isn’t easy. You feel a little like a beached whale. Getting up five times a night to go to the bathroom doesn’t make things any easier. However, you may find relief in the following:
Drink warm milk with honey before bedtime. Warming the milk releases tryptophan, a naturally occurring amino acid that makes you sleepy; the honey causes you to produce insulin, which also makes you drowsy. Leave the honey out, however, if you have gestational diabetes.
Exercise during the day. Activity helps to tire you out, which means you’ll fall asleep sooner.
Go to bed a little later than usual. You’ll spend less time trying to fall asleep.
Limit your liquid intake after 6 p.m. Don’t limit it to the point that you become dehydrated, however.
Invest in a body pillow. You can tuck it around your body in various places, making it easier to find a comfortable position. You can get a body pillow in almost any department store.
Take a warm, relaxing bath before going to bed. Many women say a bath helps make them feel sleepy.