An extended article on this topic can be found here.
Many women experience some degree of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. For a significant number of women, the sleep disruption may be so severe as to require some type of intervention. In a previous post, we discussed the use of different types of medications to treat insomnia during pregnancy. While these drugs are highly effective, many women with sleep problems inquire about the use of “natural” agents, such as melatonin, during pregnancy.
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland which is involved in regulating normal sleep-wake cycles. It is also sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement and is a popular natural remedy for sleep problems.
When it comes to pregnancy, however, natural does not necessarily mean safer. Although melatonin is indeed “natural” and is normally produced by the body, the amount delivered by various over-the-counter preparations typically exceeds the quantities normally produced by the body. As is the case with most supplements, we know very little about the impact these high levels of hormones may have on the developing fetus. Thus, we typically advise women with sleep problems to use medications with a better characterized reproductive safety profile.
Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD
Hi,
Can you please advise on medications with a better characterized reproductive safety profile.
I have always battled to sleep but now that I am pregnant I can no longer take medication to help. Please advise what is the best and will be safe during pregnancy and breast feeding.
Your advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
What would you advise someone to take to help them get to sleep that is known to be safe for a developing fetus?
@david, Here are several posts that you might find helpful:
Sleep Medications: What Information Do We Have on Reproductive Safety?
Zolpidem (Ambien) in Pregnancy: Is it Safe?
True, melatonin regulates sleep-wake cyclus as well as reproductive function in most mammals. For me personally, the beuaty of most research on melatonin and fertility is that it showed that humans are not much different from other species with whom we are related.
In addition to sleep pattern, there are studies also pointing that melatonin helps to improve egg quality (on http://www.eggqualityimprove.com you can find out more), which is an especally limiting factor in achieving pregnancy in older women.