{"id":26777,"date":"2022-11-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/melatonin-pregnancy\/"},"modified":"2023-08-30T16:46:57","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T16:46:57","slug":"melatonin-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/melatonin-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Take Melatonin During Pregnancy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Pregnancy can make it challenging to get a good night\u2019s sleep<\/a>. Restless legs, sleeping positions, frequent trips to the bathroom, and worries about the future can all contribute to a rough night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a 2020 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/em><\/a>, 77% of pregnant women reported sleeping challenges. The third trimester can be especially challenging as two in every three pregnant women experience insomnia<\/a>, according to a 2018 study in the European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re pregnant and are having trouble sleeping, you\u2019ve probably looked into ways to improve your sleep. Melatonin supplements have likely popped up in your quest for sound slumber. Melatonin<\/a> is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in your brain, and your body naturally produces more of it when it\u2019s time for bed. Among other things, melatonin helps to regulate your sleep-wake cycle<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people use melatonin as a supplement when they’re having difficulties sleeping. But is it safe for pregnancy? Here\u2019s what you need to know about taking melatonin in pregnancy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What role does melatonin play during pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The medical community isn\u2019t sure exactly how melatonin works in the body during pregnancy. Melatonin increases naturally<\/a> when you\u2019re pregnant, not only being produced from the pineal gland but also from the ovaries and placenta. Research indicates there\u2019s a rise in melatonin production around 24 weeks<\/a> and again after 32 weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin from your body even passes through<\/a> to the fetus, providing them an increase at night as well. This will help them when it comes time to be born as newborns don\u2019t make their own melatonin until later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even before pregnancy, melatonin might help boost fertility<\/a>. Melatonin has antioxidant properties<\/a> and plays a role in egg health by reducing oxidative stress<\/a>. This is important because melatonin can benefit those with preeclampsia<\/a>, a potentially dangerous condition where oxidative stress plays a role.  <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And according to a 2014 study in Fertility and Sterility<\/em><\/a>, melatonin even plays a role in the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and pregnancy success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is melatonin safe during pregnancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin might be a common supplement taken for sleep issues, but it\u2019s not usually recommended for pregnant people. A 2022 review<\/a> of studies found melatonin is probably safe to take in pregnancy, but it needs more randomized controlled studies to determine its safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin and pregnancy haven\u2019t been studied enough for safety, so doctors aren\u2019t sure whether or not melatonin is safe for pregnant people. There are a few animal studies suggesting melatonin might help prevent premature birth<\/a> in mice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another study<\/a> on rats showed melatonin treatment could increase the health of the placenta. But more human studies are needed. As with any supplement, always talk with your doctor before you decide to begin melatonin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melatonin is a dietary supplement and therefore isn\u2019t regulated by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA)\u2014so if you decide to take it to help you sleep, ask your doctor for product recommendations. While it doesn\u2019t tend to cause many side effects, there\u2019s evidence<\/a> it may not work as well as other medications recommended for sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few health conditions where taking melatonin could be useful, according to research. Melatonin could be useful in treating the symptoms of heartburn<\/a>, as well as seasonal depression<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In those with endometriosis<\/a>, melatonin showed to decrease pain by almost 40% and painful periods<\/a> by 38%, according to a 2013 study in Pain<\/a><\/em>. Endometriosis is a reproductive disorder where tissue normally located inside the uterus is found in areas outside the uterus where it doesn\u2019t belong, such as on the ovaries or fallopian tubes. (Learn whether melatonin sprays<\/a> work.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How else can you sleep better while pregnant?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few steps you can take to improve your sleep while pregnant without medication. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n