Insomnia in pregnancy is a common concern for mothers-to-be. While a woman may know and understand that she needs to get enough sleep to be healthy for herself and her unborn child, she may have trouble sleeping early in pregnancy and in the last weeks before the baby arrives.

First Trimester

During the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body is going through a number of changes. Not only have her hormone levels changed, but she needs to adjust to the news that she is going to have a baby. Even when the pregnancy was planned, the news can trigger feelings of anxiety about losing the baby, labor and delivery, or whether she will be a good mother. All of these kinds of concerns can make it difficult for the mother-to-be to get a good night’s sleep.

Last Trimester

As the due date gets closer, it can be more challenging for the pregnant woman to get a good night’s sleep. For one thing, as her uterus grows, it can be much more difficult for her to get comfortable at night. The growing pressure on her bladder means that even if she is able to get to sleep, she may need to get up during the night to use the washroom.

Treatment for Insomnia

When a woman finds it hard to fall asleep early in pregnancy, there are some things she can do to deal with the situation. She can consider what her specific concerns are and get help dealing with them. For example, if she is worried about miscarriage, she can discuss her concerns with her doctor. The physician can educate her about the symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention and which ones are considered normal in early pregnancy. Once she knows that every ache or twinge doesn’t necessarily mean the baby is in danger, she may find it easier to relax.

During the third trimester, using a pregnancy pillow can help the woman find a comfortable position on her side to go to sleep. She should avoid sleeping on her back, since doing so can inhibit the blood flow to her pelvis (and the baby).

While it may be tempting to look for cures for insomnia, a better way to deal with this issue is to recognize that it is situational and is not a sign of a chronic problem. Taking a warm bath, listening to soft music, or reading are all activities that can help a woman feel relaxed and ready to settle down for the night.

If having a nighttime routine doesn’t help her to get to sleep or she wakes up during the night and can’t get back to sleep right away, a good strategy is to get up for a while. Try drinking some warm milk or a cup of herbal tea before going back to bed. Reading or watching television are also good choices when it’s difficult to get to sleep at night.

Insomnia during pregnancy is something that many women have to deal with. Some people would say that being up at night in the later stages of pregnancy is good practice for dealing with the needs of a newborn. At that point, sleep will be at a premium, too!

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