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Signs & Symptoms

Insomnia During Pregnancy

The Causes and the Cures of Insomnia

Insomnia is never a good thing, but when a woman is in the early stages of pregnancy, insomnia can make for long nights and tired days. In a recent poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), 78 percent of women reported more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times. Sleep-related problems also became more prevalent as the women's pregnancies progressed.

Dr. Jill Powell, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health at St. Louis University School of Medicine, says she finds most sleep disturbances follow the pattern found in the NSF's poll. In other words, sleep problems can develop early on but usually aren't too bad and abate as the pregnancy progresses. Later, other issues can cause insomnia to reoccur.

Early Insomnia
In the first trimester, insomnia is relatively common and is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Dr. Powell says there are a couple of reasons for this. "Early in pregnancy women tend to feel very fatigued because of what I call the progesterone phenomenon," says Dr. Powell. "Progesterone is a natural sedative, and a woman may be so tired she has this sensation of not being able to keep her eyes open. She may react by napping during the day or falling asleep on the couch after work. This then gets her out of her normal sleep patterns."

In the first trimester, insomnia is relatively common.

The result is she may not be able to fall asleep that night, which then just sets in place a vicious cycle of exhaustion. To avoid this, Dr. Powell suggests trying to avoid long naps during the day. Try taking a walk or finding some other activity instead of sleeping. Go to bed at the same time every night; even if it's earlier than your "normal" pre-pregnancy schedule to get some extra sleep.

In addition to hormonal changes, Dr. Powell notes there is often a lot of anxiety in the first trimester. A woman may have concerns about her health or the baby's health and may worry about miscarriage. There may even be more specific reasons for anxiety, such as financial worries if the pregnancy was unplanned. For this type of emotion-related insomnia, Dr. Powell suggests trying to find someone to talk to who may help ease your worries, such as a friend, clergyman or your doctor.


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Insomnia During Pregnancy

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Anonymous says
1 week, 2 days ago

I am 14 weeks and have been having horrible insomnia for the past 3 weeks (sleeping 2 - 3 hrs a night). Doc said to take benedryl, which sometimes helps and sometimes doesn't. I am a consultant which is quite stressful and the lack of sleep is making me so anxious and frustrated.

Anonymous says
1 week, 4 days ago

I hadn't been sleeping good for the past week. I'd wake up every 2 or 3 hours and working 3 jobs just left me exhausted. I thought I was getting mono or the flu and turns out I was pregnant. And I still can't sleep. Frustrating!

Anonymous says
2 weeks, 4 days ago

I am 20 weeks - I have only had 3 or 4 nights of good rested sleep in that last 20 weeks, and in the day I am sooooo sleepy - even then when I have the opportunity I am seldom able to nap..

Anonymous says
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Im 25 weeks and the insomnia NEVER went away after the first trimester. I sleep about 4 hours a night, at most. I have tried everything. Guess I will be ready for sleepless nights when the baby comes.

Anonymous says
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Anyone having problems sleeping into their second trimester? I'm 21 weeks and there are some nights when my heart is racing and I get absolutely no sleep!

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