Sleep is more important than ever when pregnant. It helps you recover from the stress on your body during the day and rest for the day ahead. However, many women report disrupted sleep during pregnancy due to strange dreams.
Given it can often be a problem for those who are pregnant, we've decided to look at why women get crazy dreams while pregnant. As well as this, we'll look at common themes in pregnancy dreams and what you can do to ensure a quality night’s rest.
Why do women get vivid pregnancy dreams?
According to a study, pregnant women experience more bad dreams than non-pregnant women. Unsurprisingly, this results in bad sleep, but why do these pregnancy dreams happen? Dreams during pregnancy are often more vivid or frequent due to the hormonal changes your body is going through and the anxious feelings you may have about the future. And, as you wake up more to use the toilet or due to cramps, you’re more likely to remember your dreams than usual.
The third trimester is a period of heightened stress - your body is preparing to give birth, and your mind will be running through everything that needs to happen before and after your baby is born. Dreaming can help you deal with emotions. So, although they are disturbing your sleep, leaving you tired and cranky, crazy pregnancy dreams could be providing some psychological benefit.
What do pregnancy dreams mean?
1. Pregnancy dreams about giving birth
The further you get into your pregnancy, the more likely dreams about giving birth will happen. Whether realistic or fantastical, this is likely your brain working through your feelings around the birth - perhaps concern that the birth is out of your hands or that the labour may not go as planned. At the same time, dreams about giving birth can also show you’re excited about the new arrival.
Some women also have dreams about giving birth to animals or inanimate objects. This may seem strange, but it is likely an internal preparation for the responsibilities a pregnant woman will soon have and how their life will change for the better.
2. Pregnancy dreams about forgetting the baby
If you have a pregnancy dream about forgetting the baby and leaving it somewhere, this could mean you are excited for the baby to arrive but don’t quite feel ready to become a parent. Alternatively, it may represent the parts of your life you will have to give up once the baby arrives - work for six months, for example.
3. Pregnancy dreams about being trapped
Pregnancy dreams about being trapped are extremely common. This could represent the baby ‘trapped’ in the womb or an expectant mum’s fears of no longer having the freedom or independence she once had.
4. Pregnancy dreams about water
Water is a common dream theme, even when an individual isn’t pregnant. However, water dreams become more vivid when you’re with a child. The meanings of these dreams will differ depending on how far along you are. For example, dreams about rain, seas or baths during your first trimester could connote the feeling of new beginnings, cleansing and new life.
Towards the end of your pregnancy, you are more likely to dream about floods or tidal waves, which may symbolise your waters breaking and labour beginning. Furthermore, if you dream of floating on water, this could represent the physical sensation of feeling the baby moving in its amniotic fluid.
5. Pregnancy dreams about travelling
Although everyone knows giving birth is no holiday, many pregnant women dream that they are, or will be, taking a trip. This can signify the lifelong journey you’re about to go on, whereas the method of travel you take in your dream can add further context. For example, driving could mean you intend on maintaining a profession whilst raising your child, and flying means you already have ideas about how you will raise them.
Sleep better with Happy Beds’ help
Whilst we may not be able to stop your crazy pregnancy dreams, we can make you more comfortable and support you in bed, meaning you’re less likely to wake up at night and remember these vivid creations. How can we do that? Well, with a specially selected mattress, of course.
One of the best mattresses for pregnant ladies will be made of memory foam. Why? Well, a medium to firm memory foam mattress will support your body weight equally meaning you’re less likely to toss and turn or feel uncomfortable during the night. Whereas the sponge like top will provide all the comfort and softness you could ever desire.
Get all the info you need about the best mattresses for pregnant ladies in our article about choosing the best mattress for pregnancy.
