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 Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and
gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn
department at the University of California, Los
Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor
to national health agencies on women's health issues and has
received numerous international honors for this work.
Q: I was put on bedrest for the last month of my pregnancy and I'm finding it hard to sleep at night when I've done basically nothing physically strenuous all day. What can I do to make myself more tired at night?
A: The problem you are experiencing, difficulty sleeping at night, is probably due to physical inactivity, as you suggest, plus the likelihood that you doze off during the day when you are on bedrest. It may also be aggravated by the normal discomfort of late pregnancy. Tried and true remedies to induce sleep, like drinking warm milk and bedtime, listening to soothing music, and making sure the room is a comfortable temperature and dark enough, should help. If you still have difficulty, you might mention the problem to your doctor to see if the bedrest can be modified to permit taking a walk once or twice a day. When you are lying down, be sure to stay on your left side and/or have your head elevated slightly.
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