SLEEP MATTERS WHILE PREGNANT Pregnancy is a magical experience but it does come with its fair share of unexpected changes both physically and in your daily routine. The first trimester The little life inside you has only just made itself known and yet for some reason you're so exhausted. All that you've read says you wont be sleeping much in the first year your child is born, so it seems a little unfair that you're not able to sleep now either. At such an important time in your baby's growth it's crucial you're rested and healthy. Ensuring you don't drink too many fluids close to your bedtime is beneficial, as is exercising early on in the day. What is particularly important though, is taking a regularly planned afternoon nap. Ensuring that you have a properly supportive mattress for this is a must. In this article we'll take a look at the best options to guarantee you a restful sleep throughout pregnancy. How to sleep If you're a stomach sleeper make the most of this position whilst you can, as soon your growing belly will make it impossible.
It's generally recommended that you sleep on your left hand side as this position helps blood and nutrients to flow to your baby and womb and helps your kidneys get rid of waste and fluids. THE SECOND TRIMESTER At this stage your body has become more accustomed to being pregnant, but there are still certain issues. Heartburn as the baby leans on the stomach can be aggravated as you lie down, and leg cramps and vivid dreams can all disrupt your sleep. Eating lighter foods towards the end of the day, avoiding spicy foods and staying upright for a few hours after eating can help to ease some of the heartburn that you're suffering from. At this stage in your pregnancy the pressure of your baby's weight in your body may be making you feel uncomfortable and the only way to relieve this is by having the best possible support. A soft mattress is recommended to take some of the strain away from your body and permit you a restful sleep. As you enter the most intensive stage of your pregnancy it's time to start considering improving your sleep environment.
Softer bedding and supportive cushions are purchases that you'll be grateful for in the future. Memory foam mattresses can be beneficial as they contour to your body, providing support where needed. explore our mattresses for pregnancy Flaxby Natures Finest 3000 Essence Natural Mattress TheraPur Mellow 20 Mattress - Medium TEMPUR Cloud Deluxe 27 Mattress - Medium This is a polyurethane material which is very sensitive is pressure and temperature, it moulds to the shape of the body to provide fantastic support. Many foam mattresses can be hot, but Tempur have a cool layer to maintain optimum body temperature throughout the night. High Density Foam Base The bottom layer is a thick layer of supportive foam that acts as a base for the whole mattress. fixing your nightly issues As you enter the most intensive stage of your pregnancy it's time to start considering improving your sleep environment. Our memory foam mattresses contour to the curves in your body to completely support you and our stock of pillows, in a range of materials, are suitable for propping between limbs for true comfort.
The third trimester The end of your pregnancy often means waking up multiple times in the night but right now is when you need it most for a safe and easy labour. Lower back pain may now begin to aggravate you as a heavy baby weighs on your spine. You may find that you and your partner have very different sleep requirements at this stage in pregnancy and getting out of bed can be a particularly strenuous activity. Adjustable beds with individual settings allow you to get comfortable at any angle and also help to propel yourself from your mattress. HOW TO SLEEP To take stress off your lower back and increase circulation to your baby try to sleep on your left side. Pillows between knees, behind your back and under a heavy stomach will ease discomfort, as will frequent stretching. During this life-changing process it's crucial that your sleep isn't hampered in any way. Following our helpful solutions should relieve some of the sleeping problems commonly associated with pregnancy.
However it's important to be aware of the effect your mattress may be having on your sleep at this time, too. Making sure you and your baby are properly supported is the only certain way to achieve essential rest.Sign up to receive deals and great offers! Get Your Inside AccessThe quality of sleep you receive is critical to your overall health and wellness. At Intellibed, we’re dedicated to providing you and your family with mattresses that not only provide optimum comfort and support, but also ensure that you and your family are not exposed to potential toxins. Growing evidence links a range of illnesses and diseases to toxic off-gassing from synthetic materials and flame retardants found in most conventional mattresses. With the number of sleep disorders growing at alarming rates, it’s time consumers studied the link between toxicity and sleep. In the early parts of the 20th century mattresses were made with cotton batting for cushioning and steel springs for support.
This combination provided both natural, non-toxic cushioning and strong support. However, with the invention of petroleum based polyurethane foam in the 1937 this began to change. By the 1950’s polyurethane foam began to replace cotton, even though such foam is known to off-gas VOC’s, or volatile organic compounds. In fact, according to the EPA, exposure to such petro-based foams has been linked to respiratory and other health problems. Over the last 30 years, cotton has been completely replaced by synthetic foams for both support and cushioning. At the same time, the number of sleep related problems has also increased. The fact is, most consumers don’t know that nearly all of today’s mattresses are made up of these petro-based, synthetic foams. In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission required all mattresses to meet strict flame resistant standards. Unfortunately, the Commission did not mandate which materials should be used by companies to accomplish this.
As a result, mattress makers now spray a cocktail of chemicals both to the outside and inside of their mattresses to provide this flame resistant barrier. Here are just a few of the chemicals used in mattress flame retardants: PCDE’s (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) PCDE’s were used in mattresses before 2004. However, since it was determined that these chemicals were toxic to your liver, thyroid, and nervous system mattress, companies have phased use out. Boric Acid (known carcinogen properties) Melamine resin (contains formaldehyde) Perhaps the most disconcerting fact relating to fire retardant chemicals is that most companies do not disclose to consumers the chemicals they use, nor do they disclose the quantities used. Instead, there is a vague statement such as our products “consistently meet all safety standards”. How can a mattress be toxic? The danger from conventional mattresses comes from off-gassing, where toxic chemicals inside and outside of the mattress emits fumes that people breathe or absorb through the skin.
A mattress contains toxic chemicals from foam fillers, adhesives, flame retardants and waterproofing. With new mattresses, especially memory foam based mattresses, this off-gassing is very apparent. Do a simple Google search for ‘memory foam off-gassing’ and you will find hundreds of examples where consumers purchased a memory foam bed and were unable to stand the chemical smell for the first several days of ownership. Unfortunately, this off-gassing continue to be a problem with such mattresses throughout the life of the product, even though the odor goes away. Mattress toxicity research has primarily focused on groups of people who require more sleep due to age and condition — specifically infants, children and pregnant women. However, the potential for harm from off-gassing from synthetic materials and flame retardants can affect everyone, no matter what age. Research has proven that significant exposure to toxins during pregnancy can be harmful to both the woman and the fetus.
Studies confirm pregnant women carry toxic chemicals in their blood and urine, including toxins found in mattresses. (University of California, San Francisco) Another study found that toxic chemicals actually pass from a woman’s bloodstream, through the placenta and to the fetus. Toxins were also identified in breast milk. (Harvard School of Health/Centers for Disease Control) Recent studies examine an infant’s sleep environment as a possible contributor in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, cases. Two doctors in the United Kingdom and New Zealand concluded a decade-long study that linked toxic crib environments to infant health issues, including possibly SIDS. The resulting awareness campaign caused the number of SIDS cases in both areas to drop dramatically. Learn more about the evidence here. Researchers are examining links between sleep patterns, sleep environment and child development, with interesting results. One study by the Children’s Mercy Hospital in Missouri discovered that children who exhibited symptoms of ADD/ADHD were more likely to also suffer from sleeping disorders.
Evidence suggests that synthetic foams may contribute to a range of adult sleep disorders due to the lack of firm support that adults need, plus a range of health risks from off-gassing. These connections are only now gaining the attention of the scientific community Here are just a few of the problems potentially related to toxins in your mattress, with links to additional information: Non-Diagnosed Sleep Disorders:Even though 1 in 5 Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, few Autism:Researchers are discovering that autism may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Learn more about autism and toxins here. SIDS: New research on SIDS shows that a toxic sleeping environment may be a factor.Learn more about SIDS here. Asthma and Allergies:Scientists know that certain toxins are known to affect the severity and intensity of some respiratory illnesses.Learn more about these toxins here. ADD/ADHD: Studies show a correlation between poor sleep and ADD/ADHD.