I wrote this at 3 AM. Not because I wanted to. Because I couldn't sleep. Again.
My third pregnancy (due November 2026) has been the worst for sleep. My hips ache. My bladder is the size of a thimble. And my brain won't shut up — making lists, worrying about labor, wondering if I packed enough onesies.
With my first, I thought insomnia was just preparation for newborn sleep deprivation. Joke's on me: newborn sleep deprivation is different. At least with a newborn, you have a cute baby to stare at. At 38 weeks pregnant, all you have is a giant belly and a phone you shouldn't be looking at.
I've tried everything. No screens before bed (impossible when you can't sleep). Warm baths (helps for 20 minutes). Pregnancy pillows (I have three. I still can't get comfortable). Meditation apps (my mind wanders to grocery lists).
The only thing that's worked is acceptance. When I can't sleep, I get up. I read a boring book. I drink warm milk. I don't stress about the lost sleep, because stressing makes it worse.
My patient "Tessa" had such severe third-trimester insomnia that she asked for medication. Her provider prescribed a low dose of Unisom (doxylamine) — the same ingredient in many morning sickness meds, safe in pregnancy. It didn't solve everything, but it helped her get a few solid hours.
The waiting game of the third trimester is real. You're huge. You're uncomfortable. You're done. And still, the baby isn't ready.
What got me through: counting in weeks, not days. "I only have three more weeks of this" sounds better than "21 more days." I also stopped looking at my phone first thing in the morning — the "you're 38 weeks and 2 days" app notifications just made me angry.
To anyone else awake at 3 AM, staring at the ceiling: you're not alone. There are millions of us. We're all tired. We're all ready. And someday soon, we'll sleep again. Or we won't — because we'll have a newborn. But at least we'll have a baby to show for it.
This article reflects personal experience. If insomnia is affecting your daily function, talk to your provider about safe options.
— Emily Carter