Can no sleep really have an affect on a pregnancy?

Question

I'm 24 weeks pregnant, A bit stressed and very overwhelmed, My husband is working out of town and I have a 3 ( almost 4 ) year old that must have hit his terrible twos very late. He can be so sweet but turn to a monster in a second, and I also have a 10 month old Who is very cranky, teething and has decided to do whatever big brother does. ( i will admit its really cute) Well I haven't been sleeping really well just the past two weeks, I haven't been falling asleep until after 5 am( sometimes 6 30) and then my little ones wake me up at 8, last night I didn't sleep at all, had this strange burst of energy and clean my house at 3 AM, My husband wont be home until the 16th ( though he was supposed to be home on the 7) and though I'm not really worried about the no sleep thing ( besides being cranky at times) I think I'm doing really good, still playing with the kids taking them out and doing whatever else. My husband seems to be extremely worried about it, he thinks if i don't sleep that I'm going to go into preterm labour, he told me to take the kids to a babysitters today so i can sleep because he doesn't want to lose the baby! I understand he is worried, so now I'm wondering can having no sleep really harm the baby, of course i know I'll be drained and very tired ( already am), but i mean are there any negative affects? thanks everyone!

CarbonDated · Accepted Answer

As someone with chronic insomnia, lack of sleep does cause a lot of physiological changes including increased blood pressure when doing things.   Last year, my doctor made me buy a pulse watch (the kind used for people exercising), to slow down or stop if my pulse got beyond a certain point. Heck, just grocery shopping was putting me over the top!  Whether it causes increased risk of preterm labor, I don't know. I know stress can cause preterm labor and lack of sleep is one major stress.   I since learned to take naps - at least once a day (I'm disabled, so not working). After about a week of mid-day naps, the problem was MUCH better.

Mommy to be · Answer

If sure not getting any sleep isn't healthy at all, but I myself my whole first trimester, I couldn't sleep before 5am and woke up anywhere from 8-9am. It was really hard, I was always cranky and had severe morning sickness. I can tell you it is the stress. I was carrying stress from planning my wedding(9/18/10) and after the wedding I was and am able to sleep much much better. Sometimes depending on the weather changes or full moon I still have issues. But do try and at least take a nap during the day, maybe with your children.

Zinghasiel · Answer

Not really because Pregnancy is the origin of your sleepless nights.As your abdomen grows larger, the fetus presses on your bladder, causing you to make frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. You also may have heartburn, back pain or aching in the hips. You may find that your baby moves more at night, which can keep you awake. You may have a hard time finding a comfortable position for sleep.
In addition to being uncomfortable, this can be a time of high anxiety.

irining · Answer

The only thing you'll really feel is just exhausted. Baby still sleeps inside the womb, even when you don't. It's amazing how much suffering us mommies-to-be are willing to go through for this little life that we're growing. :)
Ever since I got pregnant I've had trouble sleeping.lol

Anonymous · Answer

I work, go to school, take care of the house, have homework in addition to all of that, and I am up every 5 seconds using the restroom when I go to sleep.  If I'm okay, I'm sure you're okay ;)

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Can no sleep really have an affect on a pregnancy?

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