WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Dealing with Third Trimester Insomnia

Dealing with Third Trimester Insomnia During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is undoubtedly a remarkable journey, but as you venture into the third trimester, you might find that a good night's sleep has become a rare and elusive treasure.
🌙 The combination of hormonal changes, physical discomforts like midnight bathroom runs, leg cramps, and heartburn, along with your burgeoning belly, can make sleep feel like an unattainable dream.
Don't worry, you're not alone – about 3 in 4 pregnant women experience third trimester insomnia.
It's a package deal that often brings along anxiety about the impending birth and a mind that seems to run a marathon of thoughts all night long.
Embrace Comfort for Sound Sleep
As you hit the 33-week mark, your body is working hard, and that means it's time to prioritize rest. It might be tempting to fret over the lack of sleep, but stressing about it won't magically make you doze off. 🛌 Instead, focus on making your sleep environment as cozy as possible. Consider these tips to help you get the rest you need:
  • Pre-Bedtime Comfort: Before you slip into bed, indulge in a warm bath. 🛀 The soothing warmth can relax your muscles and prepare your body for sleep. A warm cup of milk might sound old-school, but it works wonders too. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that supports relaxation and sleep.
  • Steer Clear of Stimulants: Avoid stimulating activities right before bedtime. This means putting away the screens – smartphones, laptops, and TVs – at least an hour before you plan to sleep. The blue light emitted by these devices can interfere with your body's production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
  • Curb Midnight Munchies: While it's essential to stay hydrated and nourished, try to avoid eating and drinking heavily close to bedtime. Heartburn and bathroom trips can disrupt your sleep. Aim to have your last meal or snack a couple of hours before you tuck in.
Seeking Serenity and Solutions
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, sleep might continue to play hard to get. But fear not! There are a few tricks you can try to encourage slumber:
  • Partner Power: Don't be shy to ask your partner for a gentle massage. 💆‍♂️ Pregnancy is a time of physical changes, and a soothing massage can ease tension and promote relaxation.
  • Read and Relax: If sleep doesn't seem to find you, engage in calming activities. Reading a book or listening to soothing music can help shift your focus away from the anxiety of not sleeping, ultimately inviting drowsiness.
The Silver Lining: Training for Motherhood
In the midst of all the sleep struggles, it's important to maintain a positive perspective.
Consider this phase as a sneak peek into the future – a glimpse of the sleepless nights that often accompany motherhood.
While it might not alleviate the fatigue you're feeling now, it can be oddly reassuring to think that you're building resilience for the upcoming sleep-deprived nights. 🌟
M
Midchail
22 Nov 2023

Idk if it’s me but soon I hit this third trimester here comes the insomnia all over again 😭😭 stay waking up at the same time everyday 🤦🏽‍♀️

5 comments
M
Midchail
Girl no matter what time I sleep I wake up at the same time every time 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments

A
Alina
27 Jul 2023

😩 Anybody dealing wit RLS (Restless leg Syndrome) in their 3rd trimester?? I really didn’t know it ✌🏽 was a thing✌🏽 until I googled it. 😒 it’s not fair bc as soon as I get to a place where I’m sleepy…My legs start getting antzy & uncomfortable…it’s the reason I’m up at 6am RITE NA😫 (insomnia). So ready for this to be over…. I’m on baby #4 guys. So this isn’t my first rodeo but my 1st time dealing with this 🤦🏽‍♀️

3 comments
A
Alina
I had a doctors appointment yesterday & he told me that taking that little pink Benadryl pill might help. I would definitely ask your doctor your next visit bc I know it’s very uncomfortable for you like it is for me😩
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
M
Miranda
Nothing has helped me and I feel like I’m going to die before it’s all said and done! 😭
27 Mar 2024

Answer


L
Lindsay
27 Feb 2023

Omg, I give up!! I guess I'm only getting 3 hours of sleep tonight. Oh well, guess I can always take a nap this afternoon 🤷 google says insomnia is common as labor grows near in the third trimester since my hormones are all wacked. Any other mamas having trouble sleeping?

47 comments
M
Momof3
I had it the whole time
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
L
Lindsay
I haven't till this past week. I'm on a sleep aide so normally that does the trick
27 Mar 2024

Answer


S
Sarah
28 Nov 2022

Anyone else been dealing with really stinky farts it's seems like since I hit the 3rd trimester I have bad gas 🤣🤣🤣

1 comments

J
Jasmine H
22 Nov 2022

Hello I’m currently dealing with insomnia for the last 3wks and I need tips I’m only 12 wks but I love my sleep. Wake time 12:12 ca timing currently 2:45

5 comments
J
Jessica
I agree I wake up every 3 hours
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
Q
Queenbehhh23
I haven’t been able to sleep since I found out I was pregnant
27 Mar 2024

Answer


a
alexandra
6 Oct 2022

I’ll be 28 weeks tomorrow entering my third trimester and I have such bad heartburn😭🔥 it was like keeping me up last night and it’s bad all throughout the day too anyone else dealing with this? And how did you help it?

3 comments
A
Amanda
I also have it so bad. I eat Tums like candy 😱
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
S
Stephanie
Could be the food u eat I have It to n I eat a lot of spicy
27 Mar 2024

Answer


L
Larissa
8 Sep 2022

third trimester and i'm anxious, agitated, frustrated, nauseous and tired all over again oh by the way.. hi insomnia, why are you back 😭😩

2 comments
S
Sara
Im suffering insomnia bad an im almost done with my 1st trimester. Im wondering if it goes away cause lord im tired. Hope u feel better.
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
L
Larissa
hi love, ugh sorry to hear that! my insomnia during my first trimester was horrible. I got prescribed walsom for sleep and it helped a lot. (unisom)
27 Mar 2024

Answer


C
Caitlin
23 Aug 2022

3rd trimester insomnia 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ Gotta get up for work in an hour and have been up since 3 a.m.

2 comments
J
Jessica
Right there with you
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
J
Janelle
Yep...was up 1, 2, 3, then just stayed up until 4. Tried to sleep...back up at 6. Oh well.
27 Mar 2024

Answer


h
hannah
24 Jul 2022

Anyone have a backwards pregnancy I had insomnia 1st trimester can eat anything now I’m in my third trimester and I sleep all day and can’t hold anything down and have pain in my lower back any Suggestions on what to do about the pain I can barely walk when I have them

3 comments
P
Porshea
This is me
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
j
jasharea
For back pain u can get a pillow and for the vomiting and stuff u can try drinking ginger ale and salt crackers or just get some meds prescribe by your doctor
27 Mar 2024

Answer


T
Trinitee
10 Jun 2022

Has anyone else dealt with the whole insomnia thing during their first trimester? It’s 3am and I can’t go back to sleep 🥺

6 comments
S
Samantha
Yasss, currently 20 weeks and still have it. Idk what sleep is anymore. 😄
27 Mar 2024

Answer

See more comments
T
Trinitee
This is no fun😂 I’ve been so tired and I’ll nap but at night I have trouble going to sleep and staying asleep
27 Mar 2024

Answer


Related articles

Hot topics

More questions from Moms