How to Sleep During Pregnancy in the First Trimester

Getting to Sleep on Time

Schedule your sleep and set a reminder. If you have a hard time remembering to go to bed on time, try setting an alarm an hour before you need to be in bed. That way, you can start shutting off your electronics and winding down for bed. Making enough time for sleep is one of the most important things you can do to ensure you get enough sleep.

Develop a bedtime routine. Picking a relaxing activity before bed will help your body and mind settle down for sleep. Try drinking warm milk or herbal tea, for instance, or having a warm bath. You could also listen to relaxing music or try meditation. Making love can also be relaxing before bedtime if you feel like it.

Write down thoughts that are running through your head. If you're having trouble sleeping because your mind is racing, take a moment to make a list of the things you're thinking about. That way, you can put the thoughts aside and go to sleep. For instance, make a to-do list, such as "Go to grocery store, pick up dry cleaning, call sister." If it's emotions that are keeping you up, try writing in a journal before you sleep. Jot down what you're feeling, and try to come up with ideas that will make you feel better. For instance, if you're worried about becoming a parent, try taking a parenting class.

Skip caffeine altogether after 12 p.m. You shouldn't be on much caffeine while pregnant, anyway, but it's best to avoid it altogether later in the day. The caffeine can keep you up at night, making it harder to get the rest you need. Keep in mind that even chocolate has some caffeine!

Add a nightlight to your bathroom so you don't need to turn the light on. Light signals to your brain that it's time to get up. If you turn the overhead light on when you visit the bathroom, you will wake up more. The softer nightlight will help keep you in your drowsy state. Pick a nightlight that's just bright enough to see by. Resist the urge to pick up your phone while going to the bathroom. That will only wake you up more!

Making Yourself Comfortable

Sleep on your left side to keep pressure off your liver. Your liver is on the right side of your body, so when you sleep on the right side, it can put pressure on that organ, particularly during pregnancy. Plus, sleeping on your left side helps with circulation. Better circulation means more blood flow for your baby, too. Avoid sleeping on your belly if your breasts are sore. During the first trimester, your breasts may be sore and tender, and therefore, you may find it painful to sleep on your stomach.

Add pillows to make yourself more comfortable. If you're having trouble sleeping on your side, pillows may help. Place a pillow between your knees, for instance, or an extra pillow under your head. You could even use a u-shaped pregnancy pillow that goes around your whole body. You could also use a pillow to support your back or your stomach. Do whatever it takes to get comfortable.

Wear a sports bra or maternity bra at night to reduce breast pain. Providing support for your tender breasts can lessen the pain. Pick a soft, comfortable bra that fits well to wear to bed. Try different bras to see what works best for you. You may even find that wearing no bra feels the best. If your breast pain is still keeping you up, talk to your doctor about taking acetaminophen at night.

Combat heartburn by propping your head up. Gravity helps keep acid in your stomach, so propping your head up can reduce your heartburn. Put an extra pillow under your head, for instance. You can also prop up the top of the bed by placing a wedge pillow under the mattress.

Taking Care of Medical Issues

Slow down on liquids in the evening to avoid nighttime bathroom trips. While you need to stay hydrated during your pregnancy, you are also going to be urinating more frequently, which can disrupt your sleep. To help with this issue, drink less in the evening than you do throughout the day. Make sure to get in at least 8 glasses of water earlier in the day.

Eat a small snack before bedtime to help with nausea. Aim to eat small meals throughout the day, then opt for something high in fat or protein at bedtime. For instance, try cheese, eggs, or part of an avocado right before bed. Avoid sugary foods in the evening altogether, as they'll give you an energy boost when you're trying to fall asleep, the opposite of what you want! When you first get up, eat a few crackers to combat nausea early in the day.

Chow down on an early dinner to help prevent heartburn. If you keep having heartburn at night, make sure you're eating dinner early, even if it's a small one. Then, have your snack before bed. That way, you won't be hungry, but you won't be so full that you'll have heartburn. Also, pay attention to what foods cause heartburn for you and try to avoid them. You can also take calcium carbonate tablets to help combat your heartburn.

Use nasal strips or saline sprays to combat congestion. Higher levels of the hormone progesterone in your body can lead to a stuffy nose. Try nasal strips while you're sleeping to help you breathe better or spritz the inside of your nose with a saline spray right before you sleep. Avoid decongestants and steroid sprays in your first trimester unless your doctor okays it.

Take naps to make up for the sleep you're missing at night. If you're having trouble sleeping at night, you may be able to make up for it with short naps during the day. For instance, you could get a quick nap in your car at lunch, and then eat while you work. While you should nap when you need to, try to do it earlier in the day. That way, you won't affect your sleep at night as much. If you nap too close to bedtime, you may have trouble falling asleep.