WARNING:

Sleep medicines may cause sedation of the unborn baby when used during the last weeks of pregnancy.

Make sure to tell your healthcare professional if:

• if you are pregnant
  if you are planning to become pregnant or
• if you become pregnant while taking sleep medicine.

If you are concerned about the risks of side effects associated with sleep aid medications, talk to your healthcare profession or your family doctor.

To those who are reading this article:

• If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve been spending many nights tossing and turning
• You need to know that it is normal during pregnancy, especially in your first and third trimesters. However, it doesn’t make it any easier to bear. Now you are even more desperate to get some sleep. 

If you’re already practicing good sleep habits and hygiene  but still not falling asleepg peacefully, here are a few remedies to help you to get to sleep you desire:

• Relaxation technique
• Yoga and stretching
• Deep Breathing
• Massage
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Exercise
• Food:
  • warm milk
  • protein-packed snacks

Prescription and over-the-counter medications

• Ideally you should avoid all medications (including herbal remedies) during pregnancy:
  • most drugs haven’t been tested on pregnant women and it can be hard to know what side effects they will  have on your baby
• If you have a severe sleep problem or sleep disorder, your doctor may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter drug to use during your second or third trimester:
  • However, it is the best never take any sleep medication during pregnancy without first consulting your healthcare provider or family doctor.

Over the counter medications
Ask your doctor if you can take an antihistamine:

• Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and doxyalamine (brand names include Benadryl, Sominex, and Unisom) are generally considered safe during pregnancy
• Although drowsiness is a side effect of the drug, not the primary effect
• Other possible side effects include impaired alertness and dizziness. In this case, do not drive or operate machinery after taking this medication.
  

Prescription medications
If you are suffering from severe insomnia or anxiety, your family doctor or your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a prescription sleeping medication.

Never drive or operate machinery after taking a drug to help you sleep!