I often hear women say they sleep much more during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, so I was genuinely surprised that my own sleep routine has stayed almost exactly the same. Most likely the reason is simple: I used to sleep a lot even before pregnancy. My body has always functioned best when I go to bed early and allow myself at least eight hours of uninterrupted rest, and this habit stayed with me throughout all trimesters. I never felt the need to take daytime naps, not even during those early weeks when many women experience overwhelming fatigue. My rhythm remained balanced and predictable, which I know is not the case for everyone.

However, pregnancy always finds its subtle ways to remind you that your body is working differently. For me, it shows up in one specific and very annoying detail: about once a week, I wake up without any reason in the middle of the night and simply cannot fall back asleep. There is no discomfort, no noise, no clear trigger. It just happens, and I end up lying awake for hours, waiting for my body to finally calm down. This type of restlessness feels new to me, and it is a reminder that even if everything seems stable, pregnancy still introduces small shifts that you cannot fully control.

I try not to stress about it, because I know that sleep during pregnancy can be unpredictable. Hormonal changes influence your nervous system, your internal temperature, your breathing, and your overall sense of comfort. Some nights you fall asleep instantly and wake up feeling refreshed. Other nights your mind has its own plans, and no routine can save you from being wide awake at three in the morning. Instead of trying to resist it, I am learning to accept these moments as part of the experience. Sometimes I drink a warm herbal tea, sometimes I read a few pages of a book, and sometimes I simply stay still until my body decides it is ready to rest again.

The most important thing, in my opinion, is to stay attentive to your needs and not compare your sleep to someone else’s. Every pregnancy is unique, and what feels normal for one woman may feel completely different for another. Some need more rest, some struggle to sleep, and others keep their usual schedule with only minor interruptions. None of these patterns are better or worse; they are just different responses to the same physical transformation.

I am curious to know how it felt for you. Did your sleep change during pregnancy, or did you keep your usual rhythm?