Every morning at 4am I wake up. Its been going on about 3months now. Then I start to worry about irrational things like the birth going wrong or there being no one to look after beth while I'm in labour. I cant get back to sleep while around 6-6.30am (Then I have to be up an hour later) so I spend all day feeling exhausted. Its gone on for so long now its routine-Like and I dont know how to break the cycle. Anybody got any tips???

Different people need different solutions to help them get over insomnia.
Personally, I find that soothing calm music almost always works (my own personal favourite is a CD of native American chants and songs. You'd have to find something that works for you.)

As a pragmatic solution - is there anything you normally do during the day, that you could, instead, be doing between four and six am. and then taking a two-hour nap at lunchtime? It's not a good solution, but it's better than just not getting the sleep at all.

If you think it's the worry that is waking you up - and I suspect that's quite likely but I have no credibility on medical/pregnancy issues! - you need to tackle the worries, and not the sleep. That needs a psychological approach, but it certainly does not mean you need to see a shrink. A brief session with your own doctor, if he or she is practised in those sort of techniques, could work wonders - my GP is adept at them, and has worked wonders with my wife on similar problems. Alternatively, just talking them over with a close friend, or a counsellor, or ... well, anyone who's good at listening and can empathise, may be helpful.

As a last resort, your doctor may be able to think of some sleeping-pill medication that will not pose any risk to your child, but this should be avoided if at all possible.

Perhaps talking through your worries might help if it is that stopping you sleeping. It could also be your body preparing you for sleepless nights. My daughter is 5 months now and I'm up 3/4 times a night and then up between 7-7.30 when my son gets up! I started finding it hard to sleep when pregnant and I wonder if I was being eased in so to speak!

I worried about my lo when I had dd but he was fine with my husband and mum there for him. He was also very excited to come to the hospital and see me and the baby.

. Anybody got any tips???

About 5 pints should do the trick :D sorry jesting aside I know what its like to have a irregular sleep pattern having worked shifts all my life, hopefully everything will get back to normal once you have had your baby.

I listen to Radio 4/World Service. It takes my mind off my thoughts and I usually find I drift off at some stage.

I went through this, every night at 4am I'd wake up. I'd look straight at the alarm clock just to make sure it was 4am and it seemed it was turning into a bit of a game to see if I could do it every night but then turned very annoying. Someone suggested hidding the clock so i couldn't see what time it was which I did and within a few nights of waking up but not knowing what the time was I didn't do it anymore.

Having suffered with nonpregnancy related insomina the things i have found helpful in the past have been a warm relaxing bath before bed. Not too hot as it can stimulat you, just warm with maybe some lavender to sooth.

The last hour or so before bed turn the lights down & try not to watch TV or use a computer. Read a book or magazine with a cup of something warm & milky.

Exersising during the day was the biggest help for me as it relieses endorphines that help you to sleep. You dont want to exersise during late evening as this can stimulat you & have the opersit effect. I found walking & swimming to be good & are both fab to be doing while pregnant.

If you do wake up during the night try not to look at the clock as this can panic you about your sleep. Try not to turn lights on or look outside if its getting near dawn break because light stops you producing the sleep hormone that makes you nod back off to sleep. I know it can be hard but try not to think especially about sleep or things you need to do during the day, try & think about nice things, places, memorys etc. If you really cant fall back to sleep then get up for half an hour or so with the lights turned down really low, then go back to bed & try again.

From your post though, it sounds as though your insomnia is due to anxiety about pregnancy related things. Like others have said, maybe a talk to your doctor or midwife to help put your mind at rest about things. Maybe make some plans with people with regards to the care of your daughter while in labour with a couple of back up options so you have all bases covered. It might be worth trying to arrange a hosital tour if posible (i'm having a home birth so not sure if things like this still happen) & get someone to explaine to you what would happen if complications arose & how you & your baby would be cared for.

Hope i have helped & hope you can get a good nights sleep. Happy & healthy rest of pregnancy to you xx