Insomnia During Pregnancy

When we think about pregnancy, we don't usually think about long, sleepless nights. However, most people do not realize pregnancy can cause insomnia. As many as 78% of women have reported sleep disturbances during pregnancy according to a US National Sleep Foundation Study. While there are many causes, the most common cause of insomnia in pregnancy is changing hormone levels and physical discomfort. Rising progesterone levels cause daytime sleepiness, but it also causes night time sleep fragmentation. Additionally, fluctuating estrogen levels can also disrupt sleep. Estrogen, like progesterone, regulates brain waves and sleep-wake cycles.

Insomnia during pregnancy typically becomes worse during the third trimester due to discomfort, changing hormone levels, having to wake up to urinate to name just a few issues.
If that is not enough, research also suggests insomnia in the third trimester is the body's way of preparing for the change in sleep schedule that comes with the birth of a newborn.