Can You Take Melatonin While Pregnant?

If you are pregnant, you may have noticed sleep difficulties beyond the typical tossing and turning every night than usual. According to research 46% to 78%1 of pregnant women sufferers from sleep disorders. Especially in the third trimester, when the belly is larger than the previous two trimesters, nearly 80% of women experience insomnia.

Many women facing these problems seek out a solution to improve their sleep quality such as melatonin supplements. However, Melatonin is a hormone that is produced naturally in the body. It helps you fall asleep later to help you fall asleep faster. There are not enough long-term studies that prove that it's safe to take melatonin during pregnancy.

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain naturally that regulates your circadian rhythm, which serves as your internal clock. In simple words, it helps to regulate the body’s sleep/wake cycle. Melatonin does not make you feel go to sleep. It signals the brain and body that it’s time to relax and sleep.

There are various Melatonin supplements that are often marketed as sleep aids which are considered as a potential remedy for pregnant women with sleep problems.

Melatonin is a 100% drug-free supplement which is helpful in promoting sleep. As a mother-to-be, you may be thinking of taking melatonin to fight your sleep issues while the pregnancy period. But you may be thinking- Is it safe for both mom and baby?

A Closer Look at Melatonin During Pregnancy

As we discussed above that our body produces melatonin naturally. Similarly, pregnant women also produce additional melatonin during the pregnancy period. In fact, the ovaries and placenta produce melatonin in the second and third trimesters in higher amounts. In this way, the body uses melatonin throughout the whole pregnancy. In fact, melatonin with melatonin promotes labor and delivery. It is so because babies can’t able to produce their own melatonin in utero. Mother’s melatonin is supplied to babies until they’re about 9-12 weeks old. In addition, babies rely on the hormone supplied through the mother’s milk.

Taking Melatonin While Pregnant: Should You Be Worried?

Melatonin is safe for adults on a short-term basis. However, more research is needed to know the effects of melatonin in long term. While considering melatonin usage during pregnancy, there’s a lack of research on whether melatonin is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

As women produce extra melatonin during pregnancy, therefore, taking melatonin through a supplement may affect both the mom and baby. But the medical community isn’t sure yet what can be its impact. Moreover, there is no standard dosage for taking melatonin during pregnancy.

Although melatonin is available in a wide range in the market it would be challenging for pregnant women to take it on their own without prescription and dosage guidance on how much to take.

In certain situations, healthcare professionals may recommend melatonin to pregnant women. For instance, some health professionals recommend melatonin supplements to pregnant women with preeclampsia or women with endometriosis, and older women trying to become pregnant.

If women without a documented health issue find having a low level of melatonin then consuming supplementation may not be good. It is so because melatonin levels naturally rise in the pregnancy period. The risk of supplementation during pregnancy could be too much dosage of melatonin than required in the body.

Potential Benefits of Melatonin During Pregnancy

Although studies on melatonin use in pregnancy are not certain to allow any major medical organizations to recommend melatonin in the pregnancy period. Not even a single organization endorse melatonin use in pregnancy because there is no complete research on humans for melatonin’s long-term impact if taken by pregnant women.

Should I Take Melatonin Before Realizing I'm Pregnant?

As there is no evidence of any harm, therefore there is no reason to worry if you take melatonin before pregnancy. As soon as you suspect that you are pregnant, it's important to consult your doctor first before continuing any supplements, substances, and medications until you clear their need according to your body through your doctor.

On the basis of the health status of your pregnancy and medical history, your health professional or gynecologist can guide you on whether it's good to discontinue melatonin or you should continue to take it with specific precautions in mind.

Ask Your Doctor About Melatonin and Sleep Disorder During Pregnancy

Consulting a doctor before consuming melatonin supplements during pregnancy is very important. Because your doctor can check your body requirements and ensure you aren’t exposing yourself to anything which can harm you or your baby. If you’re interested to take melatonin because of sleep disorders during pregnancy, consider asking your doctor these questions:

● What are the potential benefits and risks of melatonin supplements while pregnant?

● Given my medical history and overall health, should I take a melatonin supplement while pregnancy?

● What treatments do you recommend to me to deal with sleep troubles?

Safety Precautions

According to research melatonin should generally be avoided but if you have persistent sleep troubles and want to try melatonin then must follow these precautions:

● Discuss dosage and duration with your doctor: You should take the lowest dose over the lowest period of time to prevent yourself from any impact on pregnancy.

● Purchase a product with a USP (United States Pharmacopeia) label: It’s essential to check the USP mark which indicates that the melatonin product is tested for quality.

● Monitor side effects: Keep in regular touch with your doctors that they can know how melatonin affects you.

The Bottom Line

Can you take melatonin during pregnancy? Due to a lack of research on its impact on pregnant women, melatonin supplements are not recommended while pregnancy without doctor consultation.

If you are struggling with sleep issues during pregnancy talk to your team of medical professionals if they can provide you with more information and treatment options for sleep disorders. Else they may prescribe you melatonin supplement in limited dosage under precautions so that it can’t harm you.