Pregnancy Sleep

As your baby's birth gets closer, you may find that a good night's sleep is only a hazy memory. It's normal for your sleep to get worse in the third trimester. And if this is the case for you, you're not alone. More than half of pregnant women rate their sleep as poor at this time. 

Why can’t I get comfortable sleep in my third trimester? 

By the third trimester, your bump is simply too big to allow you to lie down comfortably. Try sleeping on your left side with pillows wedged between your legs and behind your back. 

One small study has suggested that women who go to sleep on their left side are less likely to have a stillborn baby than those that sleep in any other position. 

However, we don't understand what exactly causes stillbirth and many factors are involved. This study only looked at sleep-related factors, such as snoring, getting up to go the loo, as well as sleeping position. More research is needed into sleep patterns before we can draw any firm conclusions over sleeping positions. 

In the final four to six weeks, if you really can't get comfy in bed, you may find you get your best rest propped up in a comfy chair or sofa instead. 

Why do I keep needing the loo again? 

Remember your early pregnancy days, when it seemed as though you spent more time in the loo than out of it? Well, here we are again. This time it's thanks to your growing baby, who's putting pressure on your bladder. 

You can try to reduce the number of night-time trips to the loo by cutting back on drinks in the evening. And make sure you completely empty your bladder on each trip to the loo by leaning forward when you wee. 

What else might disturb my sleep in the third trimester? 

You may find your sleep interrupted by a whole host of pregnancy niggles. These can include:

restless leg syndrome

backache

leg cramps

snoring

itching (see your doctor if you have severe itching)

heartburn

vivid dreams

your baby's movements

Although you can ease some of these disturbances, it's likely that you will have to endure a few sleepless nights. Think of this time as a dress rehearsal for life after your baby is born! 

Will lack of sleep in my third trimester harm my baby? 

No. Sleeplessness is very common in the late stages of pregnancy, but it won’t harm your baby. However, it can make you feel run down and exhausted. It's also possible that a severe lack of sleep in the last few weeks of pregnancy can mean a longer labour. Severe sleep deprivation may also increase your chances of having a caesarean section. 

Listen to your body and rest when you can. If you can't sleep at night, it's fine to take naps to catch up during the day. See our tips for getting a good night’s sleep during pregnancy.