While carrying a baby is a joyous event, it’s not without its challenges. insomnia early pregnancy is a common symptom, especially during the first trimester when hormonal changes may make it difficult to fall asleep. Insomnia in early pregnancy can also be caused by physical discomfort or emotional stress. If you are having trouble sleeping, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. Poor sleep can lead to higher risks of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, as well as longer labor and a greater chance of complications during delivery.

Insomnia during the first trimester is usually caused by a shift in hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone. These hormonal fluctuations can disrupt sleep and cause a variety of symptoms, such as nausea, frequent trips to the bathroom for increased urination, back pain, breast tenderness, anxiety, and weight gain.

Sleeptime Struggles: A Guide to Managing Insomnia During Early Pregnancy

Second trimester insomnia often improves, as the fetus moves higher in the abdomen and nausea typically subsides. However, the increased pressure on the bladder can still result in frequent urination. Women may also experience pain in their back, round ligament pain (a sharp or stabbing pain on one or both sides of the abdomen) and heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Third trimester insomnia can be triggered by the increase in a woman’s body weight and the pressure on her joints, as well as by the increased secretion of the hormone oxytocin, which leads to a hyper-aroused state during the night. It can also be caused by physical discomfort, such as a swollen ankle or hip, and by the difficulty of finding a comfortable sleeping position.