IS IT SAFE TO TAKE MELATONIN DURING PREGNANCY?

When you’re pregnant, it can sometimes be tough to get a good night’s sleep. And since a number of medications are contraindicated for pregnant women, you may be tempted to turn to various natural products. Melatonin is the most commonly used natural product for sleep disorders, but is it the right product when you’re pregnant?

WHAT IS MELATONIN?

Melatonin, a hormone naturally produced in the brain, serves various essential functions in human health, with its role in promoting sleep being the most recognized and captivating.

HOW DOES MELATONIN ACT ON SLEEP?

Darkness triggers a signal in the brain that increases melatonin production, promoting sleep, while an increase in brightness halts production of the hormone, thereby promoting wakefulness.

In other words, melatonin helps align your biological clock (also known as circadian rhythm) with the earth’s day-night cycle.

CAN MELATONIN SUPPLEMENTS IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP DURING PREGNANCY?

Numerous studies have explored the impact of melatonin supplements on sleep in individuals experiencing prolonged insomnia linked to health issues like dementia or depression, or stemming from circadian rhythm disruptions such as blindness, irregular work schedules, or jet lag.

Melatonin has demonstrated notable efficacy in addressing disrupted circadian rhythms. However, its effects on sleep quality are relatively modest: it seems to slightly reduce the time required to initiate sleep but does not significantly affect overall sleep duration or the ability to return to sleep after waking during the night.

As these studies did not include pregnant women, the potential positive or negative effects of melatonin on sleep-related issues during pregnancy remain unclear.

IS MELATONIN SAFE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN?

While melatonin is generally well-tolerated with few serious side effects, there is a lack of studies on its effects on pregnant women. Consequently, it remains unclear whether pregnancy influences a woman’s tolerance to melatonin.

Research has indicated that the naturally produced melatonin in a mother’s body crosses the placenta to regulate the baby’s circadian rhythm. Concerns have been raised by some experts about the potential for melatonin supplements to reach the fetus, posing a risk of disrupting the baby’s circadian rhythm.

In light of these considerations, experts recommend that pregnant or nursing women refrain from taking melatonin supplements.

YOUR PHARMACIST IS ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU DURING YOUR PREGNANCY.

Your pharmacist is available to answer any questions you may have about taking medications, natural products, or vitamins during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and to offer advice on how to ease certain pregnancy-related symptoms like sleep disorders, nausea, or reflux. Some pharmacies offer private consultations with a pharmacist who can assess your personal situation. Feel free to schedule an appointment!