Are you expecting a new baby or taking the steps to add an adorable bundle of joy to your family? A new study is suggesting that women stay away from light at night and embrace darkness, as it is vital to keeping their reproductive health in order, protecting a developing baby.
Study researcher and professor of cellular biology at the University of Texas Science Center in San Antonio Russel J. Reiter, and his team, analyzed research that was previously published to come to a conclusion of what role circadian rhythms and melatonin play in the success of becoming pregnant and successful deliveries.
Reiter’s research was recently published online in the journal Fertility and Sterility on July 1 and Live Science filled us in. Based on their findings Reiter says that the production melatonin, also known as our sleep hormone that helps us fall asleep, is important for women who want to have baby as it keeps their eggs safe from oxidative stress, especially during ovulation.
Melatonin is released into the body in response to darkness so, it is key that women get 8 hours of darkness at night without disruption, and it’s even more important during the last trimester. Reiter also shared that, “Turning on the light at night suppresses melatonin production in women, and means the fetal brain may not get the proper amount of melatonin to regulate the function of its biological clock.”
While sleep is important for our overall health, it’s the darkness that women should take note of to increase melatonin production and boost their reproductive health. Keep your room dark, avoid turning on the light if you wake up and if need a night light, Reiter suggest choosing a yellow or red light, instead of a blue or white one.
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