Ep 297: Can’t Sleep During Pregnancy or Postpartum? Here’s What Actually Helps with Behavioral Sleep Medicine Specialist Dr. Daniella Marchetti

Birth With Power

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Parenting, Kids & Family

4.9 • 637 Ratings

🗓️ 20 May 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Struggling to sleep during pregnancy or postpartum? You are definitely not alone. And it’s not just about being tired - it’s a chronic condition that deserves attention. Up to 80% of women experience insomnia by the third trimester, and many continue to struggle even two years postpartum. So if you’re having trouble, seek help.

In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Daniella Marchetti to break down why sleep can feel so elusive in motherhood and what you can do about it. We’re talking real strategies, the truth about melatonin and Benadryl, and why “sleep when the baby sleeps” just doesn’t cut it. Tune in—this episode might just change your nights.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

What really causes insomnia during pregnancy & how it’s different than just having a tough night
How long it takes most people to seek help for sleep issues
How common insomnia is in pregnancy and postpartum
How sleep slips through the cracks during pregnancy care
Which sleep disorders are most common during pregnancy
Why quality rest matters so much
What CBT-I is (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) — and why it works
When to seek help for insomnia
What sleep hygiene means
Whether or not sleep trackers are actually useful

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode297

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Transcript

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0:00.0	If you're struggling to sleep during pregnancy or postpartum, you are definitely not alone, and it's not just about being tired.
0:08.9	In this episode, I'm joined by clinical psychologist and sleep specialist, Dr. Daniela Marquetti,
0:15.4	to break down why sleep can feel so elusive in motherhood and what you can do about it. We're talking real
0:22.7	strategies, the truth about things like melatonin and Benadryl, and why sleep when the baby sleeps,
0:29.1	just don't cut it. Tune in, this episode might just change your nights.
0:39.8	Welcome to the Birth with Power podcast where knowledge is power and power transforms birth.
0:47.2	I'm Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankin's mom of two and practicing board certified OBGYN with over 20
0:53.0	years of experience and nearly 2,000 birth
0:55.6	attended. I've seen firsthand how the hospital system can leave women feeling unheard and uncertain,
1:02.6	but that doesn't have to be your story. Here, you'll get the knowledge, support, and strategies
1:07.6	to take charge of your birth experience so you can walk into the hospital feeling
1:12.1	calm, confident, and empowered. Note this podcast is for educational purposes only and it's not
1:19.0	a substitute for medical advice. See the full disclaimer at Dr. Nicolemanekins.com forward slash
1:24.3	disclaimer. Now let's get to it.
1:36.1	Want to feel more calm and confident about giving birth? The birth with power brief is my free weekly email that gives you a fun pregnancy fact, one mind set shift, and one small step to prepare without the overwhelm.
1:48.9	It's like having me in your corner cheering you on every Thursday. Don't miss it. Head to
1:56.1	Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash email to sign up today.
2:07.2	Hello there. Welcome to another episode of the podcast. This is episode number 297,
2:12.0	whether this is your first time listening or you've been here before. I'm grateful you're spending some time with me today. Today we're diving into a topic that so many of us face, but we don't talk about it
2:19.9	enough, and that is insomnia and sleep struggles during pregnancy in the postpartum period.
2:25.5	I'm joined by Dr. Daniela Marquetti, a clinical psychologist and health psychologist with a
2:31.1	specialization in behavioral sleep medicine. She holds two master's degrees and a PhD from
	...

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