Sleep in the first trimester

In your first trimester, you may be surprised by how much you crave sleep, but frustrated that you can’t seem to get enough.

Why do I feel a sudden need to nap?

Early on in your pregnancy, you may start feeling very sleepy during the day. High levels of the hormone progesterone bring on this sudden need for naps (Murray and Hassall 2014).

Progesterone can make a normal day at work seem as taxing as running a marathon. Being tired can also make any early pregnancy nausea and vomiting worse (CKS 2013).

Strangely enough, progesterone can disrupt your sleep at night, leading to even more fatigue the day. All you can do is rest as much as possible and grab a quick nap whenever you can.

Why can’t I get comfortable in bed?

Your newly tender breasts may make it hard for you to find a comfortable sleeping position. That’s especially true if you're used to sleeping on your front.

Your first trimester is the perfect time to getting used to sleeping on your left side. This improves the flow of blood and nutrients to your baby and uterus (womb). Lying in this position also helps your kidneys get rid of waste and fluids.

The sooner you get used to this position, the better you'll be able to sleep as your bump gets bigger.

Why do I need to wee all the time?

Your growing uterus puts pressure on your bladder and sends you rushing to the loo more often (Murray and Hassall 2014, Wilson et al 2010).

This can play havoc with your sleep. You may have a more restful night if you cut down on drinks during the evening (Murray and Hassall 2014). Make sure you drink plenty during the day, because it's important to stay hydrated.

Will lack of sleep harm my baby?

No. Sleeplessness is very common during pregnancy, and it won’t harm your baby (NHS 2014).

Listen to your body when it tells you to slow down or rest, though. Accept that the first three months of your pregnancy are going to be tiring , and rest or nap whenever you get the chance. You’re likely to have more energy once you’re into your second trimester.

Find out about other first trimester sleep stealers:

• nausea
• vivid dreams
• hunger