What Causes Bad Dreams During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women complain of having bad dreams or nightmares during pregnancy. According to health experts, this phenomenon is completely normal and common amongst most of the pregnant women. The root cause of these bad dreams also lies in the psychological, emotional, and mental state of women.

Dreams are a mere expression of the suppressed emotions in an unconscious state. Many times we do not express or acknowledge our fears, worries, or concerns and forget them with time. These pent up feelings and emotions generally find their way through the dreams.

• Dreams generally occur in the later part of the night when our mind is still working. These occur during rapid eye movement (REM), which takes place when our brain produces smaller and faster brain waves in the process of managing the data and memory.

• In such a situation, a person visualizes pictures in his/her mind, and these pictures are termed as dreams. So, dreams are nothing but pictures, symbols, or flashes of the innermost feelings and events.

• This happens when the brainstem and memory interact with each other at a time when the brain tries to process the memory. In short, bad dreams are the representation of our unpleasant emotions hidden in our subconscious mind.

☛ One of the major reasons why expecting mothers experience bad dreams frequently is stress or fear of pregnancy or worrying too much about pregnancy. Well, again it is very natural for them to worry, especially the first time mothers.

☛ When a woman is expecting, everyone tries to advice her on several little things. She tends to read many books and gathers maximum possible information on pregnancy and delivery. All this information could create a chaos of different thoughts in the mind, which could result in undesirable dreams.

☛ Apart from this, many of them also start worrying about whether or not they would be able to take good care of their babies, whether their delivery will be successful or not, etc.

☛ Some other women are scared of making mistakes during pregnancy, hence they become excessively careful, which causes them to stress out more. This extra tension could generate some negative thoughts and even their attitude becomes pessimistic. These factors can also result in bad dreams or nightmares.

☛ Also, frequent visits to doctors for different checkups can also be one of the causes of bad dreams during pregnancy in many women. Women with a prior history of nightmares can handle it well, but for women who have never experienced it before, it can be a daunting task for them to deal with it.

✔ Well, the first and foremost thing is to stop worrying. Though quite difficult, but you must learn to relax, not only to avoid the incidence of bad dreams but to have an overall safe and sound delivery. Unwanted stress can have an adverse effect on the growth of the baby, hence it is better to avoid it.

✔ Try to get and believe only authentic and expert information on pregnancy. The best person to consult is your family doctor or a gynecologist when you are in doubt. Correct and accurate information helps in alleviating more than half of the worries.

✔ Learn some relaxing techniques. Engage yourself in activities, which will make you feel relaxed, stress-free, and happy. You can pursue a hobby, listen to music, meditate, etc. Such activities will help you unwind and keep stress at bay.

✔ A healthy and balanced diet also plays a major role. Try to avoid eating a heavy dinner before going to bed, as it can cause sleep disturbance accompanied by weird dreams. So, try to take light, natural, and non-spicy foods for dinner at least two to three hours before going to bed.

✔ Light exercises produce hormones, which can make one feel happy, therefore, exercising is also essential to avoid stress. Swimming and walking are considered to be the best exercises for performing while carrying a baby. But, it is strictly advisable to consult your doctor before following any exercise regimen.

✔ Lastly, relax and think positively. It is extremely important to have a positive outlook to feel good in this crucial phase of life. So, always be optimistic and try to resolve your queries and concerns as soon as possible instead of worrying about them.

With the help of these suggestions, it is definitely possible to avoid or prevent bad dreams or nightmares. If the cause of such dreams relates to a certain medication that you must take during pregnancy, then be aware of this fact and ask your doctor if you could get another medication.

Remember that occasional bad dreams while carrying a baby is not a very serious issue, so you need not be worried about it. But, if you suffer from it excessively or feel that you are unable to deal with the stress, then you must visit a doctor immediately and seek treatment. So, now go ahead and have a good night sleep along with some cute dreams!

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.