Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes falling and staying asleep difficult and challenging. To be diagnosed with insomnia you have to have three or more sleepless nights a week for more than 3 months. And, as you can guess, suffering from insomnia leaves you unrested and may also affect both your physical and mental health.
In general, insomnia is common during pregnancy as many women cannot find the right and comfortable position to fall asleep. However, it may also continue during the postpartum period which may negatively affect daily life and overall health. That said, you’d better seek professional help to successfully combat this sleep disorder.
To learn everything needed for postpartum insomnia, just continue reading.
Postpartum Insomnia Basics
Namely, the body changes a lot during pregnancy and continues to change during the first 12 weeks after giving birth, the period which is also referred to as the fourth trimester. Logically, these changes can also affect sleep.
Research suggests that postpartum insomnia is very common, i.e. the percentage of women suffering from insomnia is significantly higher in these women compared to the general population of women. For some postpartum sleep disturbances can fade away after a couple of weeks, whereas for others can last for several months making the whole experience devastating.
Postpartum Insomnia Causes
As already noted, the physical changes occurring after giving birth can contribute to acute insomnia, which may include the following:
- Changes in hormone levels
- Postpartum thyroiditis
- Increased stressors
- Anxiety or depression
- Caregiving for a baby
Postpartum Insomnia Treatment
If you’ve just given birth and cannot get a good night’s sleep, you’d better get evaluated by an expert in women’s health and an obstetrician-gynecologist. Together, you will find the roots of your sleeping issues and find the right treatment based on the cause of insomnia. Here are just some strategies and options for treating postpartum insomnia:
- Review infant sleep patterns
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Light-dark therapy (LDT)
- Good sleep hygiene
- Over-the-counter medication
- Prescription medication
Just bear in mind that before trying any of the above-listed insomnia treatments, you must consult your doctor and shouldn’t try any of them on your own.
Postpartum Insomnia Duration and Risks
We already said that postpartum insomnia can last from a couple of weeks to several months. Like any other health-related issue, the duration varies from person to person. You just need to be patient as the typical postpartum insomnia factors resolve over time. Such factors include the baby’s sleep schedule, hormone levels, and lifestyle adjustments.
Still, if insomnia leaves you unrested for months, seek immediate professional help because there are risks of untreated postpartum insomnia. Namely, women who face sleep issues during the postpartum period have increased levels of cytokines (inflammatory chemicals) and cortisol (stress hormone) which makes their immune systems vulnerable.
What’s more, postpartum insomnia can make behavioral, mental, and medical outcomes worse. According to research, postpartum insomnia remarkably increases the chance of suffering from postpartum depression which also requires medical help.
That said, although sleepless nights are normal after having a baby, if you have trouble sleeping for 3 or more days a week for 3 months and if the issue continues even after your baby is sleeping more regularly, talk with your doctor to get the needed help and treatment.