Unisom in Pregnancy

Unisom in Pregnancy

Unisom is a popular over-the-counter sleep aid that is often used by pregnant women to help them get a better night's rest. But is it safe to use Unisom during pregnancy?

What is Unisom?

First, it's important to understand what Unisom is. Unisom is the brand name for a sleep aid called doxylamine succinate. It is an antihistamine that is used to treat allergy symptoms, but it also has sedative properties that can help people fall asleep.

Unisom is available in two forms: a tablet that you swallow and a liquid that you drink. The active ingredient in both forms is doxylamine succinate.

Is Unisom safe to use during Pregnancy?

Now, let's address the question of whether it is safe to use Unisom during pregnancy. The short answer is that it is generally considered safe to use Unisom in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, it is not recommended to use Unisom in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy.

The reasoning behind this is that doxylamine succinate, the active ingredient in Unisom, has not been extensively studied in pregnant women. While there are no conclusive studies linking doxylamine succinate to birth defects, there is also not enough evidence to say that it is completely safe to use during pregnancy.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, the risk of birth defects is low and the potential benefits of using Unisom to improve sleep may outweigh the potential risks. However, as pregnancy progresses, the risk of birth defects increases and it is generally recommended to avoid taking any medication that has not been extensively studied in pregnant women.

Other Methods to Consider

It's also worth noting that Unisom is not the only option for managing sleep problems during pregnancy. There are other methods that may be safer and more effective, such as:

• Getting regular exercise
• Establishing a bedtime routine
• Avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime
• Using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
• Using a white noise machine or other calming sounds to fall asleep
• Sleeping on your left side, can improve blood flow to your baby

If you are pregnant and experiencing sleep problems, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any sleep aid. They can help you determine the best course of action for improving your sleep, whether it's using Unisom or trying other methods.

To sum up

In summary, Unisom is generally considered safe to use in the first trimester of pregnancy, but it is not recommended to use in the second or third trimesters. If you are pregnant and experiencing sleep problems, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any sleep aid. There are also other methods that may be safer and more effective for improving sleep during pregnancy.

CBT-I: A Long-Term Sleep Fix

Many people choose to use medication to help them get to sleep. However, Unisom has not been well studied, and its safety and effectiveness aren’t yet understood.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a natural, side-effect-free sleep treatment. It involves relearning your sleep habits and addressing issues that are getting in the way of quality sleep. Studies show that CBT-I works as well as or better than sleep medications and that its effects last after the treatment is done.1

Fill out Dawn Health’s questionnaire to get started with CBT-I right from your computer — no in-person visits necessary. Quality, natural sleep is possible when you embark on a CBT-I treatment journey.