Is melatonin safe during pregnancy
Pregnant women are often curious about sleep medications like melatonin – read this post to understand if it’s safe during pregnancy! If you’re pregnant and thinking about using melatonin for sleep or other benefits, understanding its safety is essential. Learn more about the potential risks and explore alternatives here!
Can You Take Melatonin While Pregnant?
The popularity of melatonin as a sleep aid, either alone or in combination with other ingredients, has grown in recent years. Long-term use of the hormone, however, has raised questions about its safety for pregnant women. The lack of research available saying precisely whether it’s safe makes it difficult to judge. Animal studies have suggested to some changes in reproductive hormones but no serious adverse effects, but when buying over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, they can often be “way higher” than what is necessary and could pose an additional risk.
Though there are experts who promote taking melatonin while pregnant if prescribed by a physician due to its highly beneficial effects, most still caution against even smaller doses unless the benefits are apparent and well documented. Research so far hasn’t been conclusive. Therefore, any expecting mothers should exercise extreme caution when considering OTC supplements that contain melatonin and seek the opinion of their physician before using them during pregnancy.
Does melatonin work?
A research review published in 2018 concluded that taking a low-dose of melatonin over the course of two weeks to three months is associated with a significant improvement in sleep quality and sleep duration. However, other recent systematic reviews have found little evidence to suggest that melatonin has an effect on reducing the time it takes to fall asleep or ameliorating jet lag symptoms.
Given its widespread use, melatonin is generally considered to be safe for short-term over the-counter use with no significant side effects, though long-term data on safety and efficacy remains largely lacking. Moreover, pregnant women are advised not to take melatonin supplements due to a lack of research into its potential effects.
The Role of Melatonin During Pregnancy
As essential hormones go, melatonin plays a key part in a pregnant woman’s life. It can cross the placenta to bind to a fetus’ receptors, suggesting its impact on the unborn baby. Levels of melatonin in a placenta are highest during the first trimester, and increase further at 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy.
Melatonin has many roles during pregnancy; promoting fertility, embryo implantation, and entrainment of the fetal circadian rhythm as well as impacting neurological development. While there is still much to learn about this hormone, it appears that it helps to entrain the circadian rhythm in a fetus, which may impact their sleep after birth.
Preeclampsia is an increasingly common condition marked by high blood pressure and other symptoms that can affect women in late pregnancy or shortly after delivery – and research out indicates that melatonin supplements might help pregnant women with severe cases of this potentially deadly ailment.
Is It Safe to Take Melatonin Supplements While Pregnant?
Experts generally do not recommend taking melatonin supplements for pregnant women with insomnia; Research on the safety of melatonin supplements in healthy pregnant women is lacking, and there is potential risk of too much melatonin in the body. Though some healthcare professionals may suggest melatonin to pregnant women in certain circumstances – such as those with preeclampsia or endometriosis – women of a certain age should be particularly wary of taking melatonin supplementation while pregnant.
For those having difficulty sleeping during pregnancy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and improved sleep hygiene are approaches recommended by medical professionals. CBT helps individuals identify underlying thoughts and behaviors that may be preventing people from getting good rest, while improved sleep hygiene covers areas such as avoiding caffeine late in the day and establishing consistent bedtimes/wake times. Women considering taking any supplement during their pregnancies should consult their doctor first.
Why melatonin isn’t recommended during pregnancy
Most doctors do not typically recommend taking melatonin supplements when expecting, despite the fact that its ability to induce sleep may seem helpful in the long hours of carrying a child. The most available studies on topic are mostly small or done on animals, so it is difficult to determine with certainty if there are any lasting effects such as fetal development or neurological issues caused by these supplements.
On top of that, overdosing with melatonin can lead to short-term side effects in adults such as nausea, headache, drowsiness and fatigue , and while no major studies have been conducted on pregnant women specifically many medical professionals suggest caution as biological processes involved in pregnancy can cause individuals to act differently than anticipated. Supplements of melatonin vary in strength too, making it highly unpredictable how much someone needs to take for a desired effect. Nonpharmaceutical strategies are recommended like relaxation techniques or herbal tea for aiding sleep instead of supplements. When in doubt about taking melatonin during pregnancy expectant mothers should consult their doctor first before any supplementing decisions.
What are the benefits of melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced in the body that helps regulate the sleep cycle. While research shows it may have significant benefits for those trying to catch some more zzz’s, it may also be beneficial for expectant mothers and their babies.
Recent studies are looking into the potential of melatonin having beneficial effects on the fetus, with potential effects such as improved brain development, improved functioning of the placenta and protection from oxidative stress. It could even potentially enhance fertility, protect against preeclampsia, reduce risk of preterm birth, and aid sleep in pregnant women. Although these findings are promising, studies focusing on humans during pregnancy are still limited, so more research is needed to prove melatonin’s exact benefits before relying on its intake as a treatment option during pregnancy.
What are the Potential Side Effects of Melatonin During Pregnancy?
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone found in the body and can be found in over-the-counter supplements. When taken orally, melatonin is known to promote sleep in humans but research regarding its use during pregnancy is extremely limited. Some doctors may recommend it in America and other countries where melatonin is available over the counter, but potential side effects remain unknown at this point.
It is important for pregnant women to keep in mind that even natural treatments or supplements can have an effect on their growing baby, so it’s best to speak with a primary care doctor before taking any supplement. Women should also note that prescriptions drugs (including antidepressants) as well as alcohol and caffeine intake may also affect the baby, so they should proceed with caution and discuss their options with their doctor before making any decisions. Each woman’s situation varies depending on her health history, lifestyle habits and more, so talking to a medical professional is the best way to decide if taking melatonin during pregnancy is safe for them.
FAQs
It is not recommended to take melatonin while breastfeeding since it can pass through into breastmilk and be transferred to the baby. It is best to consult a doctor before taking any supplements while breastfeeding.
No, melatonin is not recommended for babies as it has not been proven safe due to the lack of evidence and research.
Yes, melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone that is produced in the body and helps to regulate your sleep-wake cycle. It’s available as a dietary supplement and can be used to help with insomnia or other sleeping disorders.
