Francesca Farago, the star of *Too Hot to Handle* and *Perfect Match*, recently opened up about her second trimester of pregnancy. Attending the POSSE Pride Party on June 6 at The Viper Room in Hollywood, she shared the scoop on her sleep ordeals and the unexpected trials of motherhood. Accompanied by fiancé Jesse Sullivan, she opened up about the reality of life for her as an expectant mother.

Getting Through the Trials of Pregnancy

Farago humorously quipped, “I’m such an insomniac. I don’t sleep, and if I sleep, I sleep two hours a day because I can’t do it, and I wake up literally every 30 minutes to pee.” Still, she is pretty optimistic since everything has been “going good.” The second major thing she talked about was the fact that every day has become a learning curve because of the pregnancy. “There’s a lot of scares and things you don’t realise can happen when you’re pregnant and a lot of things you’re learning every day,” Francesca explained. But she finally looks forward to smoother sailing ahead and hopes it stays that way.

Pregnancy Sleep Problems Common among Women

Problems with sleep are prominently found in most women while pregnant and are mainly attributed to physical discomfort, hormonal changes, and anxiety and excitement pertaining to becoming a mother soon. According to various studies, more than 50% of expectant women go through insomnia. Quality and quantity of sleep are essential not just for baby’s health but also for maternal health and wellness during pregnancy. 

Why Your Sleep Changes During Pregnancy

Several factors lead to sleep disturbances from the onset of pregnancy in the first trimester. Due to hormonal changes, there are several discomforts such as nausea, vomiting, tenderness in breasts, fast heartbeat, breathlessness, higher body temperature, and urination at night time. Continuing pregnancy leads to backaches and the inability to sleep in a comfortable position. Anxiety about childbirth, motherhood, and managing work and home also keep the expectant mother awake. On top of all these problems are vivid and scary dreams which affect sleep quality, mainly in the last trimester.

Common Sleep Disorders and Problems During Pregnancy

Some sleep disorders are more common in pregnancy:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

About 20% of women experience snoring, and some develop obstructive sleep apnoea. This is defined by snoring, gasping, and repeated stoppages in breathing. It may affect the baby’s supply of oxygen and contribute to the incidence of disorders like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and the need for cesarean delivery.

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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

A sudden urge to stretch the legs is caused due to sensations like crawling, itching, or tickling, making it difficult to fall asleep. This problem occurs in up to a third of women in the third trimester.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)

Acid burns in the food pipe when a person is lying down, resulting in night time heartburn or GERD. It occurs in up to 50% of women in the last trimester of pregnancy, causing sleeplessness.

Why Is Sleep Important During Pregnancy?

Quality sleep during the pregnancy period is just as important for the mother as it is for the baby. In the maternal body, sleep deprivation means lethargy, daytime sleepiness, and decreased memory, learning, appetite, mood, and decision-making. Chronic deprivation also compromises the immune system and might be connected with the development of gestational diabetes. Poor sleep in early pregnancy is associated with the increased risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia, which may result in preterm delivery and negatively influence the mother’s organs in the long term.

Emerging evidence suggests that poor sleep quality in pregnancy also predicts sleep problems and crying in neonates. It has been revealed that insufficient sleep has been linked with preterm birth, low birth weight, painful labor, cesarean delivery, and postpartum depression.

Strategies to Overcome Sleeping Problems During Pregnancy

Here are several ways for expectant mothers to avoid sleep problems during pregnancy:

Exercising the Sleeping Position

It is greatly recommended that pregnant women sleep while lying on the left side with their legs slightly curled because of blood flow to the heart, kidneys, and the baby. Pillows under the belly, back, and knees help to increase the level of sleep comfort.

Develop Good Sleep Hygiene

This includes the bedroom environment: it should be cool, dark, and quiet. Sleep experts recommend limiting the bed to sleep and sex only and ensuring a consistent bedtime. One should stay away from electronic devices right before sleep. Relaxing activities before bed also enhance sleep quality.

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Treating Sleep Disorders Related to Pregnancy

These could include the use of CPAP devices to treat OSA, antacids to treat GERD, and vitamin supplementation for the treatment of RLS. Women should inform their providers about any over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements because these medications could be harmful to the developing fetus.

Bottomline

By addressing these common sleep problems and adopting healthy sleep habits, pregnant women can improve their sleep quality and overall well-being during this transformative period. Farago’s experiences highlight the universal challenges faced by many expectant mothers, offering reassurance and practical advice for those navigating similar struggles.