Trouble Sleeping during Each Trimester of Pregnancy

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist Elena Sanz Martín.

Written by María José Roldán

Last update: 27 December, 2022

It’s normal for pregnant women to have trouble sleeping from time to time. Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, expectant mothers go through a wide array of physical and emotional changes.

You’ve probably heard the saying that pregnancy is not a disease. And this is true, but it can certainly come with a long list of side effects.

At this time more than ever, you’ll need plenty of sleep to keep your energy levels up. Unfortunately, you may also have trouble sleeping during pregnancy.

Parents-to-be know that when their baby is born, they will lose out on a lot of sleep. Newborns require a lot of attention.

Over the first few months, babies wake up several times a night for feeds, diaper changes or simply because they need to be comforted.

But in fact, although it’s true that parents lose the most sleep just after the baby is born, women often have trouble sleeping during pregnancy, long before they give birth.

Even in the first trimester, she may need more rest than usual. This is completely normal: the body is tired from all the changes happening inside.

At this stage, the placenta is forming and the body is producing large amounts of blood. This process demands a lot of energy, and you’re likely to feel tired all the time.

The problem, however, is that many women have trouble sleeping when they’re pregnant. Lack of time and anxiety come into play, along with physical discomfort.

With all of this in mind, it’s important to learn how we sleep during each trimester of pregnancy. By understanding more about your sleep needs, you’ll be able to find the right solutions.

Trouble sleeping during pregnancy

With all of the hormonal and physiological changes that happen during pregnancy, it’s hardly surprising that most women have trouble getting to sleep.

Each trimester comes with its own unique challenges, among which is getting enough rest.

First trimester of pregnancy

During the first stage of your pregnancy, you’ll notice yourself feeling much more tired during the day. You may lack the energy to carry out daily chores which, before conceiving, you hardly noticed.

What’s more, when night comes, you might experience alterations to your sleep pattern. This is due to the physical and emotional stress that you’re under.

As if this wasn’t enough, you’ll need to get up to pee several times a night. This will interrupt your sleep, making you even more tired the next day.

You may even experience sporadic nausea and vomiting, not just during the day but also at night, which means another trip to the bathroom.

Second trimester of pregnancy

During the second trimester of pregnancy, most women get a certain amount of relief from sleep problems and other typical pregnancy symptoms.

But there are some issues that can affect your sleep during this phase, and it’s important to recognize them if they occur.

On the one hand, you’ll be getting up for the bathroom less often and sleeping more deeply. On the other hand, however, your bump is beginning to grow.

You may have difficulty finding the right sleeping position, and you might have heartburn or indigestion at night.

Third trimester of pregnancy

Most women have trouble sleeping during the third and final stage of pregnancy. By this time, you’ll feel heavier and more uncomfortable. You’ll be going through big changes, both physical and emotional.

At this stage, you might experience symptoms such as leg cramps, nasal congestion and muscle pain. You’ll have trouble moving around in bed and finding the right position to sleep in.

You’ll need to get up frequently to use the bathroom again, as your baby presses into your bladder.

Once you know what to expect during each trimester and why, you’ll be better prepared to get the rest you need.

Having trouble sleeping during pregnancy is absolutely normal and is something that happens to all pregnant women at one time or another.