If the baby is fast asleep and the mother is still restless, it is not simply normal fatigue but may be postpartum insomnia. This is a sleep disorder that occurs after giving birth. Unlike staying up all night to take care of the baby, people with this condition often have difficulty falling asleep or cannot maintain a deep sleep even when the baby is asleep.
According to Dr. Vinutha Arunachalam (Department of Obstetrics - Gynecology - Reproductive Medicine at Apollo Women's Hospital, Chennai), postpartum insomnia is a disorder that affects many women. Even when the body is exhausted, the mother still cannot doze off. This condition can appear immediately after birth and last from a few weeks to several months if intervention is not taken.
The cause of this insomnia is the complex resonance between physiological and psychological changes. After birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop suddenly, disrupting the circadian rhythm and directly affecting sleep quality.
A dense feeding schedule and having to wake up continuously disrupt the natural sleep cycle. Excessive worry about the child's health keeps the mother's brain in a state of "vigilance", making it difficult to relax.
Dr. Vinutha Arunachalam warns of the serious risks that postpartum insomnia can pose to the mother's health. Including:
1. Energy decline, the body is always in a state of irritability and lethargy.
2. Increased risk of postpartum depression and anxiety.
3. Weakened immune system, the recovery process of postpartum injuries takes place slower.
Based on medical advice, experts suggest some practical steps for pregnant mothers to overcome postpartum insomnia. Take advantage of sleeping when the baby is asleep. Short naps help partially compensate for the lack of energy at night. Limit Caffeine, create a dark, quiet and airy bedroom space.
At the same time, do not hesitate to ask relatives to support taking care of the baby at night so that mothers have valuable rest. If prolonged insomnia causes severe exhaustion, seeking advice from a doctor is mandatory.
A study in the journal Sleep Medicine Reviews confirms that sleep disorders are common in postpartum women. However, don't take it for granted. Taking care of mother's sleep is as important as taking care of the baby, because only a healthy mother can take care of her child best.
