Perhaps it's nature's way of preparing you for the sleepless nights to come, but your growing belly and the pushes and prods of your little one are making it increasingly difficult to get the requisite eight or more hours of peaceful slumber. Sleep is essential to your mental and physical fitness right now, not to mention that of your unborn child. Make your best effort to rest often and rest well.

Making Time

You work a full day at the office, go to the grocery store, go home and make dinner, stay up late working on the baby's room, and the next thing you know, it's midnight. Sleep is a priority right now, one you need to make time for. Make a regular bedtime and stick to it. Leave major cleaning, errands, and home projects for weekends, days you are off work, or have extra help. If hitting the hay late is unavoidable, try to make up your sleep deficit with a weekend nap.

Getting Comfortable

The fetal sleep cycle is only between twenty and eighty minutes long, so if you aren't a sound sleeper you may find yourself awakened by baby's stretching limbs. Getting comfy can be a challenge if you were a dedicated stomach or back sleeper prepregnancy. Lying on your back puts undue pressure on your inferior vena cava, the vein that shuttles blood from your lower extremities (feet and legs) to your heart, which can trigger a drop in blood pressure. It's also extremely uncomfortable for any length of time by now. Logistically and medically, the best position for sleep right now is on your side.

Hip and shoulder pain can be another source of sleepless nights, one that's difficult to avoid since you must sleep on your side. If you've tried the tips for aches and pains outlined above and the pain is still keeping you awake, experiment with a foam egg crate cushion on your mattress for a little added padding.

You don't know what living is until you've had the luxury of stretching out full (and pregnant) on an acre of crisp, cool sheets. If you don't have one already, and the budget allows, consider upgrading to a king-size bed. The extra room will enable you to bring a body pillow or beanbag into bed to support your stomach and ease your back. Your partner will benefit, too, since he'll be less likely to wake at every toss and turn.

Another bedroom habit you have possibly picked up in pregnancy is that of snoring. Many women are mortified — and self-conscious — about this new development. After all, there's nothing that makes you feel more attractive than the thunderous vibration of your own nasal passages, unless it's waking up with a trail of dried drool on your face! The snoring is related to a number of factors including pregnancy-related nasal congestion, your increased need for oxygen, swollen airway tissues, and compression of the muscles that control breathing. Most of the miracle remedies and devices you see on TV will do little but cost you money. Your snoring will likely fade away after pregnancy. For now, invest in extra earplugs for your mate instead.

Make sure your environment is as sleep-friendly as possible. The room temperature should be cool enough for your overheated metabolism; your partner might want to stock up on extra blankets to get him through such occasional chilly nights. If ambient noise is a problem, get some earplugs or a white noise conditioner to cut the clamor. Keep a nightlight plugged into your room or hallway to navigate those inevitable late-night bathroom breaks with minimal injuries.

More tips for preparing yourself for a good night's sleep:

To avoid heartburn, don't eat immediately before bunking down, and have an extra pillow on hand to elevate your head.

Make the bathroom the last stop before bed.

Stock your nightstand with crackers if you still wake with an unsettled stomach.

If tender breasts are keeping you awake, wear a jogging or other supportive bra to bed.

Stay away from caffeine (it isn't the best thing for you right now, anyway).

Don't exercise for up to three hours before bedtime.