Sleep issues first/second trimester

[periwinkle86]

I will be 13 weeks tomorrow and for the last few weeks have had real difficulty sleeping. I keep waking up in the middle of the night/really early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep. Never had this kind of issue before. Did anyone else have this at this stage of pregnancy? If so, did it go away in the second trimester?

I expected this further down the line when I’m bigger and baby is moving etc, but not so early on. The combination of early pregnancy lack of energy, not sleeping, and end of term tiredness (I’m a teacher) is making it hard to function some days, and I’m worried that if it doesn’t get better I’m going to be absolutely exhausted before the night feeds etc even begin! I’m also worried that the cumulative effect isn’t going to be great for the baby.

Any tips on how to resolve this would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Yes I always have this, it's normal, hormonal, etc. It eases a bit for me in second trimester, not totally.

I'm almost 16 weeks and I've had terrible insomnia the last couple of weeks. Aswell as restless legs at night.
I'm also wondering if or when this will stop. It is hard going on top of feeling exhausted from growing a baby.
Things I do to try help sleep is spray my pillow with lavender mist. Lavender is supposed to help sleep.
Also, have you tried sleeping with a maternity pillow?
I tend to have a bowl of Cereal before bed to make sure I'm not being kept awake because of hunger and I have a mug of hot tea usually peppermint.

I've had this too and am still in my first trimester, I didnt realise this was a thing as like you I thought it was something that happened later in pregnancy.

I find that I wake up early and by lunch time/early afternoon I'm exhausted and could fall asleep at my desk. I usually find that by tea time I get a second wind and can then stay up til about 10/10.30 but not really any later (which is very early for me as previously I wouldnt be able to sleep until about 12.30am - 1.30am)

This has been one of my main symptoms from very early on in my pregnancy... And I'm now nearly 40 weeks and still experiencing it pretty much every night! Ive been going to sleep fine and then waking up in the middle of the night (often wide awake) for one or two hours. I'm really lucky in that it doesn't seem to effect me too much during the day - and have been telling myself it's good practice for when the baby is here!

Hope you get a good night's sleep soon...! X

Thank god im not the only one! First trimester I was exhausted and would be asleep on the sofa by 8pm. Id go up to bed and then struggle to stay asleep. I found i was sleeping in 2 hour slots throughout the night.
Im still struggling now with restless legs and generally feeling uncomfortable.
All i want is a decent night sleep where i dont have to get up to empty my bladder multiple times during the night!
Oh and Im only in my 2nd trimester and no huge bump to speak of!

@Flutterby8 how do you treat your restless legs? I use magnesium lavender sleep cream which is safe during pregnancy which seems to help a bit. Also I've read bananas help?? I've not tried that one though.

@Curlymam88 I haven't tried anything to be honest. It eased off for a few nights and I thought I was onto a winner.
But last night was bad. Its something I need to read up on to be honest because it's really annoying.
I heard about bananas but I really can't stand them so won't be giving that a go sadly.
I did have a soothing peppermint leg spray from The Body Shop that I was going to try but haven't checked to see if it is safe to use or not.
I think my back and sciatic pain gives me more grief than my legs. All I want is a good night's sleep!!!!

@Flutterby8 I find te magnesium and lavender cream does work for a short while. It even has the symbol on it saying safe for pregnancy. It's hard going isn't it. Hate restless legs. I had it before pregnancy aswell.

Hi, I had the same thing - I would wake up around 3am and be awake for at least a couple of hours. I think it’s just the hormones. It did get a lot better after a few weeks so hopefully will be the same for you!

I’m 9 weeks gone and I’m up every night with a weird feeling in my legs it’s not an ache not pain not itching but it’s bothering me they are restless and cause of the sensation I can’t sleep making me ratty with my partner I simply cannot get comfy ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh