Insomnia and sleep deficiency in pregnancy

Sleep-specific repetitive negative thinking processes and prenatal insomnia symptoms: A naturalistic follow-up study from mid- to late-pregnancy

Insomnia symptoms are highly prevalent during pregnancy; therefore, identifying modifiable risk markers is important for risk prediction and early intervention. This study aimed to examine the role of sleep-specific rumination and sleep-specific worry in prenatal insomnia symptoms. A total of 859 married pregnant women without history of psychiatric illnesses (mean [standard deviation] age, 30.15 [3.86] years; 593 [69.0%] with a bachelor's degree or above) were enrolled from the obstetrical outpatient departments of two tertiary comprehensive hospitals in Shandong, China, who completed assessments of sleep-specific rumination, sleep-specific worry, and insomnia symptoms at baseline (mid-pregnancy) and follow-up (late-pregnancy). Measures included Daytime Insomnia Symptom Response Scale, Anxiety and Preoccupation about Sleep Questionnaire, and Insomnia Severity Index. Our results showed that after controlling for covariates, both sleep-specific rumination and sleep-specific worry showed significant concurrent and prospective associations with insomnia symptoms, and the increases in scores of sleep-specific rumination and sleep-specific worry over time were significantly associated with the increased likelihood of insomnia symptoms at follow-up. Moreover, the increases in sleep-specific rumination and sleep-specific worry over time were significantly associated with the increased likelihood of reporting newly developed insomnia symptoms rather than persistent normal sleep. However, the changes in sleep-specific rumination and sleep-specific worry were not significantly associated with the likelihood of reporting persistent or remitted insomnia symptoms rather than persistent normal sleep. In conclusion, sleep-specific rumination and sleep-specific worry were significantly associated with concurrent or subsequent insomnia symptoms; thus, they may be promising cognitive risk markers and intervention targets.

Determinants of sleep quality among pregnant women in a selected institution in the Southern province, Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND

Sleep is a vital requirement during pregnancy for the betterment of the fetus and the mother. Sleep quality could vary due to pregnancy-specific psychological and physiological changes. To introduce a tailored programme to enhance the sleep quality of mothers, it is paramount to assess the sleep quality and determinants of sleep. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the determinants of sleep quality among pregnant women in a selected institution in the Southern province of Sri Lanka.

METHODS

Hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out with 245 antenatal women, selected using a systematic random sampling method. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which contains four parts. Below variables were involved and both continuous and categorical data were collected as required. 'Maternal sleep quality, socio-demographic data and gestational age, maternal depression and anxiety.' Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0 for Windows by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test, and independent sample T-test (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis was used to find the relationship with sleep quality and other variables. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, at 95% CI.

RESULTS

The majority of women (60.8%) had good sleep quality and they didn't have either depressive symptoms (63.4%) or anxiety (64.2%). Aged between 34-41 years and third-trimester women had higher rates of poor sleep quality. Varying quality of sleep was identified among three-trimesters with subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, habitual sleep efficiency, and sleep disturbances. In comparison with the first and second trimester, pregnant women in the third trimester had higher score of global PSQI (5.22 ± 2.35), subjective sleep quality (1.23 ± 0.70), sleep latency (1.25 ± 0.86), habitual sleep efficiency (0.14 ± 0.43), and sleep disturbances (1.39 ± 0.58). There was a significant association between gestational age (P = .006), maternal age (P = .009), antenatal depression (P = .034), and anxiety (P = .013) with sleep quality. However, multinomial logistic regression revealed that only gestational age affected on quality of sleep. The first trimester was a protective factor for good quality sleep (Adjusted OR = 3.156) compared to the other two trimesters.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the majority of women had good sleep quality but quality of sleep was deprived with gestational age. It is expected that the findings of this research will be helpful for health and social care policymakers when formulating guidelines and interventions regarding improving the quality of sleep among pregnant women in Sri Lanka.

Dietary Intake of Nutrients Involved in Serotonin and Melatonin Synthesis and Prenatal Maternal Sleep Quality and Affective Symptoms

Poor sleep quality and psychological distress in pregnancy are important health concerns. Serotonin and melatonin levels may underlie variation in these adverse outcomes. In this study, we examined dietary nutrients involved in serotonin and melatonin synthesis in relation to maternal sleep quality and affective symptoms during pregnancy. Pregnant women at no greater than normal medical risk at enrollment completed 24-hour dietary recalls in mid-late pregnancy. Usual intakes of vitamin B6, vitamin D, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and tryptophan were estimated from dietary intake of foods and supplements using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method. Sleep quality, depression, and anxiety were measured using validated questionnaires. Associations between nutrient intakes, sleep quality, and affective symptoms were estimated using generalized estimating equation models adjusting for potential confounding factors. In minimally adjusted models, EPA + DHA and tryptophan intakes were associated with a lower score indicating better sleep quality (b: -1.07, 95% CI: -2.09, -0.05) and (b: -12.40, 95% CI: -24.60, -0.21), respectively. EPA + DHA and tryptophan intakes were also associated with a lower odds of shorter sleep duration and sleep disturbances. In addition, tryptophan was associated with a lower odds of higher sleep latency. However, associations were attenuated and nonsignificant after adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors. In conclusion, intakes of EPA + DHA and tryptophan were associated with improved sleep quality, but these associations were confounded by maternal demographic and lifestyle characteristics. This study highlights the need to consider dietary intake and pregnancy health in the context of demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors.

The role of benzodiazepines in common conditions: a narrative review focusing on lormetazepam

This review aimed to examine the place of benzodiazepines, specifically lormetazepam, in the treatment of insomnia, including during pregnancy or in patients with psychodermatoses. PubMed was searched for the term "lormetazepam" in association with MeSH terms encompassing anxiety, insomnia/sleep disorders, pregnancy/gestation, and psychodermatoses/skin disorders. English-language articles up to 31 July 2022 were identified. Ad hoc searches for relevant literature were performed at later stages of review development. Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that lormetazepam dose-dependently increases total sleep time, decreases wakefulness over a dosing range of 0.5-2.0 mg, and improves subjective assessments of sleep quality. Lormetazepam is as effective as other benzodiazepines in improving sleep duration and quality, but is better tolerated than the long-acting agents with minimal next-day effects. Benzodiazepines can be used as short-term monotherapy at the lowest effective dose during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy; lormetazepam is also a reasonable choice due to its limited transplacental passage. Insomnia associated with skin disorders or pregnancy can be managed by effective symptom control (especially itching), sleep hygiene, treatment of anxiety/depression, and a short course of hypnotics.

Exploring relationship of poor sleeping habits with prenatal stress among pregnant women in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy is a complex phenomenon accompanied by biological, physiological and psychosocial changes for a mother. It is also regarded as a stressful life event where a woman's role, identity and interpersonal relationships are restructured. The present study from Pakistan explores the association of sleep quality and poor sleeping habits with prenatal stress using Pittsburgh Sleep quality Index.

RESULTS

There were a total of 516 women (mean age = 29.82 years), with more than half reporting poor sleep quality. Ethnically, a majority (395, 76.6%) were natives of the Punjab province while rest were non-natives. A high percentage of respondents reported poor subjective sleep quality (22.1%), sleep latency (44.1%), habitual sleep efficiency (27.5%), sleep disturbance (30.1%), use of medications (7.1%) and daytime dysfunction (29.5%). According to logistic regression analysis, respondents with poor sleep quality were 2.24 (95% CI = 1.55-3.22, P < 0.001) times more likely to have high stress levels (P < 0.001).

Sleep disturbance and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Globally, sleep disturbance is the foremost public health issue among pregnant women which might have undesirable birth outcome including neurocognitive impairment, preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. In Ethiopia, inconsistent findings have been reported on the prevalence of sleep disturbance among pregnant women. Therefore, this review aims to estimate the pooled prevalence sleep disturbance and its associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was designed according to the PRISMA guideline. A systematic search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of science, and Google Scholar using relevant searching key terms. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to evaluate the quality of all selected articles. Data were analyzed using STATA Version 14 software. Publication bias was checked using Egger's test and funnel plot. Cochran's chi-squared test and I2 values were used to assess heterogeneity. A fixed-effects model was applied during meta-analysis.

RESULTS

In this review, six studies were included after reviewing 17,100 articles. The pooled prevalence of sleep disturbance among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 50.43% (95%CI: 39.34-61.52). Third trimester pregnancy AOR = 4.03; 95% CI: 2.84,5.71), multigravidity (AOR = 1.99; 95% CI: 1.54, 2.59), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.52,4.31), depression (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 2.04, 6.27), stress (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.57, 4.88), anxiety (AOR = 3.69; 95% CI: 1.42, 9.59) and poor sleep hygiene (AOR = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.56, 3.99) and were statistically associated with sleep disturbance among pregnant women.

CONCLUSION

This review revealed that the magnitude of sleep disturbance among pregnant woman in Ethiopia was relatively high and multiple factors determined the likelihood of having a disturbed sleep-awake pattern. Thus, the implementation of interventions for sleep disturbance after screening pregnant women is needed. Moreover, public health interventions targeted on the prevention of unintended pregnancy and depression during pregnancy should be implemented.

Sleep Deficiency in Pregnancy

Sleep is a critical aspect of one's daily life for overall health, with a recommended 7 to 9 hours in adulthood (ages 26-64). Up to a third of women do not sleep sufficiently, and pregnant women are at an increased risk for sleep deficiency. Throughout pregnancy, sleep is affected in differing ways. For example, in the first trimester, hormones affect sleep cycles, but by the third trimester, physical complaints such as increasing frequent urination and fetal movement create frequent awakenings. Associations between sleep deficiency and gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, depression, and some evidence regarding preterm birth exist. A woman's labor course and perception of delivery are also negatively affected by short sleep duration.

Eye-masks and earplugs compared to headband in nulliparas on increasing spontaneous vaginal delivery: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

A majority of pregnant women experience sleep disruption during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. Lack of sleep is associated with preterm birth, prolonged labor and higher cesarean section rate. Six or less hours of night sleep in the last month of pregnancy is associated with a higher rate of caesarean births. Eye-masks and earplugs compared to headband improve night sleep by 30 or more minutes. We sought to evaluate eye-mask and earplugs compared to sham/placebo headbands on spontaneous vaginal delivery.

METHODS

This randomized trial was conducted from December 2019-June 2020. 234 nulliparas, 34-36 weeks' gestation with self-reported night sleep < 6 h were randomized to eye-mask and earplugs or sham/placebo headband (both characterized as sleep aids) to be worn each night to delivery. After two weeks, interim outcome data of the average night sleep duration and the trial sleep related questionnaire was answered through the telephone.

RESULTS

Spontaneous vaginal delivery rates were 60/117(51.3%) vs. 52/117(44.4%) RR 1.15 95% CI 0.88-1.51 P = 0.30 for eye-mask and earplugs or headband respectively. At 2-weeks into the intervention period, the eye-mask and earplugs arm reported longer night sleep duration 7.0 ± 1.2 vs. 6.6 ± 1.5 h P = 0.04, expressed increased satisfaction with the allocated aid 7[6.0-8.0] vs. 6[5.0-7.5] P < 0.001, agreed they slept better 87/117(74.4%) vs. 48/117(41.0%) RR 1.81 95% CI 1.42-2.30 NNT_b 4 (2.2-4.7) P < 0.001 and higher compliance median[interquartile range] 5[3-7] vs. 4[ 2-5] times per week of sleep aid use P = 0.002.

CONCLUSION

Eye-mask and earplugs use at home in late third trimester do not increase the spontaneous vaginal delivery rate even though self-reported night sleep duration, sleep quality, satisfaction and compliance with allocated sleep aid were significantly better than for sham/placebo headband. Trial registration This trial was registered with ISRCTN on June 11, 2019 with trial identification number: ISRCTN99834087 .

Sleep Disparities Across Pregnancy: A Michigan Cohort Study

Introduction

Poor sleep health during pregnancy is related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with sleep health during pregnancy and to examine how they relate to changes in sleep during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods

Participants (n = 458) were from the Michigan Archive for Research on Child Health, which is a prospective pregnancy cohort. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported sleep timing and quality were collected in phone interviews. This longitudinal study collected sleep parameters once during the early trimesters and once during the third trimester. Fall asleep and wake-up times were used to calculate sleep duration and sleep midpoint.

Results

Compared to the third trimester, sleep duration was 12 minutes longer (p = 0.02), fall asleep time was 21 minutes earlier (p < 0.001), and the midpoint of sleep was 12 minutes earlier (p = 0.01) in early trimesters. Shorter sleep duration was noted in younger women. Sleep midpoint was later in those who were younger, overweight, or obese, racial minorities, unmarried, and with lower educational levels or socioeconomic status, and who smoked before pregnancy after adjusting for covariates. After controlling for confounders, women who were not working for pay had higher likelihood of reduced sleep duration, and women who were unmarried were more likely to have a delayed sleep midpoint in the third trimester compared to the early trimesters.

Conclusions

This study suggests that sleep parameters changed during pregnancy and sleep health differed by sociodemographic characteristics. Understanding sleep disparities could help with early detection of at-risk populations during prenatal care.

Elevated estradiol during a hormone simulated pseudopregnancy decreases sleep and increases hypothalamic activation in female Syrian hamsters

Sleep disruptions are a common occurrence during the peripartum period. While physical and environmental factors associated with pregnancy and newborn care account for some sleep disruptions, there is evidence that peripartum fluctuations in estrogens may independently impact sleep. However, the impact of these large fluctuations in estrogens on peripartum sleep is unclear because it is difficult to tease apart the effects of estrogens on sleep from effects associated with the growth and development of the fetus or parental care. We therefore used a hormone-simulated pseudopregnancy (HSP) in female Syrian hamsters to test the hypothesis that pregnancy-like increases in estradiol decrease sleep in the absence of other factors. Adult female Syrian hamsters were ovariectomized and given daily hormone injections that simulate estradiol levels during early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and the postpartum period. Home cage video recordings were captured at seven timepoints and videos were analyzed for actigraphy. During "late pregnancy," total sleep time and sleep efficiency were decreased in hormone-treated animals during the white light period compared to pretest levels. Likewise, during "late pregnancy," locomotion was increased in the white light period for hormone-treated animals compared to pretest levels. These changes continued into the "postpartum period" for animals who continued to receive estradiol treatment, but not for animals who were withdrawn from estradiol. At the conclusion of the experiment, animals were euthanized and cFos expression was quantified in the ventral lateral preoptic area (VLPO) and lateral hypothalamus (LH). Animals who continued to receive high levels of estradiol during the "postpartum" period had significantly more cFos in the VLPO and LH than animals who were withdrawn from hormones or vehicle controls. Together, these data suggest that increased levels of estradiol during pregnancy are associated with sleep suppression, which may be mediated by increased activation of hypothalamic nuclei.

Ferroptosis participated in hippocampal neuroinflammation damage of in offspring rats after maternal sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation during pregnancy has important effects on the pregnant woman herself and her offspring, and some studies have found that neuroinflammation in her offspring is important, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. To investigate the involvement of ferroptosis in cognitive impairment due to hippocampal neuroinflammation in offspring rats after maternal sleep deprivation. SD rats exposed to late gestational sleep deprivation were deprived of sleep for 72 h. Their offspring were given the ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 3 days after birth. The results showed that MSD resulted in impaired learning memory capacity and significant downregulation of PSD95 and NeuN. Microglia were significantly activated, inflammatory factor expression was increased, the ferroptosis regulatory protein GPX4 was downregulated, ACSL4 was significantly upregulated, and lipid metabolite 4-HNE expression was increased. In contrast, the MSD-induced impairment of inflammation and learning memory capacity in the offspring was ameliorated after treatment with ferroptosis inhibitors. These results suggest that MSD-induced neural damage characterized ferroptosis in the hippocampal region of the offspring rats, leading to a decrease in learning and memory function, which may be related to the decreased levels of Nrf2 and HO-1.

Eye Masks and Earplugs to Improve Night Sleep Duration in Nulliparas: A Randomized Trial

Background Women experience significant sleep disruption throughout pregnancy. Lack of sleep during the last month of pregnancy is associated with longer labor, a higher rate of Cesarean births, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and preterm birth. Eye-mask and earplugs through sensory deprivation increase sleep duration and quality in patients in the intensive care environment but their impact at home or during pregnancy is not known. We sought to evaluate eye-mask and earplugs compared to sham/placebo headbands on night sleep duration in pregnancy. Materials and methods A randomized trial was performed in a university hospital in Malaysia. Nulliparas between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation with self-reported night sleep of fewer than six hours were randomized to the use of eye-mask and earplugs or "sham" headbands during night sleep (both introduced as sleep aids). Night sleep duration was measured through a wrist actigraphy monitor during non-intervention week one and intervention week two with the allocated sleep aid. Results Data from 56 participants were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Mean night sleep duration increased in intervention week two compared to non-intervention week one in both trial arms, which were 279 ± 19 vs. 304 ± 19 minutes (mean increase of 25 minutes) p = <0.001 and 286 ± 21 vs. 302 ± 22 minutes (mean increase of 16 minutes) p = <0.001 for eye-masks-earplugs and headband respectively. However, the mean increase in night sleep duration across trial arms (p=0.13) was not significant. A higher proportion of participants in the eye-masks and earplugs arm had their night sleep duration increased by at least 30 minutes, 13/29 (45%) vs. 5/26 (19%), relative risk (RR) 2.3 (95% CI 1.0-5.6) p = 0.04, more likely to agree that they slept better 19/29 (66%) vs. 7/27 (26%), RR 2.2 (95% CI 1.1-4.6) p = 0.03, expressed higher satisfaction score with their sleep aid 7 (7.0-7.5) vs. 6 (5-7), p = 0.003 and had lower induction of labor rates 4/29 (14%) vs. 12/27 (44%), RR 0.3 (95%CI 0.1-0.8) p = 0.02. Conclusion Eye masks and earplugs use in nulliparas with short night sleep duration in late pregnancy, lengthen their night sleep duration over baseline. Sleep is reportedly better and maternal satisfaction is higher with eye masks and earplugs use.

Environmental exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and sleep disturbance in pregnant women: A prospective cohort study

Previous studies on the association between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and sleep patterns in pregnant women are limited. This cohort study aims to assess the associations between PFAS and sleep quality in pregnant women. Of the 4127 women who participated in the Shanghai Birth Cohort, 3174, 3070, and 2887 women in their first, second, and third trimesters of gestation, respectively, were included in our analysis. Sleep measures were taken using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. Ten PFAS were measured in blood samples collected in early pregnancy. We first evaluate the associations between individual PFAS and sleep quality in the three trimesters. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were performed to test the overall effect of the PFAS mixture on sleep quality during the three trimesters. Longitudinal analyses throughout pregnancy were performed with generalized estimating equation models. Furthermore, the effect of the PFAS mixture on longitudinal sleep patterns was examined using longitudinal latent class analyses combined with WQS models. The single pollutant analysis suggested that most PFAS were associated with increased sleep disturbance risk, lower sleep efficiency, and shorter sleep duration in the three trimesters. Similarly, the WQS models revealed a significant association between the PFAS mixtures and elevated sleep disturbance risk in pregnant women, with perfluorobutane sulfonate acting as the predominant risk factor. Additionally, the longitudinal analysis confirmed the effects of PFAS exposure on increased sleep disturbance over time. The PFAS mixture was positively associated with higher risks of poor sleep quality and sleep medicine use [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.10; 95 % confidence interval (95%CI): 1.01, 1.20; and aOR = 1.25 (95%CI: 1.04, 1.50) respectively] throughout the three trimesters. Our study suggests that PFAS may increase the risk of sleep disturbance in pregnant women. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and elucidate potential mechanisms.

Relationship among chrononutrition, sleep, and glycemic control in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidities. Chronobiological disorders have recently been identified as risk factors for those morbidities. The disorders include chrononutritional disorders related to meal frequency and content according to the sleep-wake cycle, sleep disorders related to sleep quality, and chrono-obesity disorders, such as abnormal weight gain because of sleep deprivation and time of eating.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess whether a chrononutritional and sleep hygiene intervention can improve maternal glycemic control and reduce the proportion of large-for-gestational-age newborns among women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

STUDY DESIGN

This randomized controlled trial included 103 women with gestational diabetes mellitus who were carrying a singleton fetus and assigned to either the intervention group (n=33) or the control group (n=70). The intervention group was assigned to a chrononutrition and sleep hygiene program, in addition to the usual care for gestational diabetes mellitus, from the time of diabetes mellitus diagnosis to birth, whereas the control group received the usual gestational diabetes mellitus care.

RESULTS

The chrononutritional and sleep hygiene intervention significantly reduced the proportion of women with suboptimal glycemic control (<80% of the plasma glucose values at target), after adjustment for maternal age, prepregnancy body mass index, gravidity, history of gestational diabetes mellitus, and large for gestational age (relative risk, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-0.81). The effect of the intervention on balancing maternal glycemic control was mainly because of the decreased carbohydrate intake in the evening interval of the day (relative risk, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.99). However, the intervention had no effect on the proportion of large-for-gestational-age newborns.

CONCLUSION

The chrononutritional and sleep hygiene intervention can improve maternal glycemic control.

Walking Promotion in Pregnancy and Its Effects on Insomnia: Results of Walking_Preg Project (WPP) Clinical Trial

Introduction: Insomnia is a frequent condition during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess if a walking promotion program from the 12th Gestational Week (GW) of pregnancy helps to prevent insomnia and improve the quality of sleep at third trimester. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted with 270 pregnant women divided into 3 groups in parallel: maximum intervention group, I1 (pedometer and goal of 10,000 steps/day), minimum intervention group, I2 (pedometer without a goal), and control group (no intervention). All groups received recommendations about physical activity in pregnancy. A structured interview was performed at 13th, 20th, and 32nd GW, collecting pedometer mean steps/day, Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Pittsburgh questionnaire (PSQI). Lineal regression models were conducted to determine the association between mean steps/day at 31st GW and AIS or PSQI score. Results: At 19th GW, groups I1 and I2 reached a mean of 6267 steps/day (SD = 3854) and 5835 steps/day (SD = 2741), respectively (p > 0.05). At 31st GW mean steps/day was lower for I2 (p < 0.001). Insomnia and poor sleep quality prevalence increased through pregnancy, but no differences between groups, within trimesters, were found (p > 0.05). Lineal regression showed no association between the average steps/day at third trimester of pregnancy and AIS and PSQI scores. Conclusions: Our walking promotion program based on pedometers did not help to prevent insomnia in the third trimester of pregnancy.

Sleep Deficiency in Pregnancy

Sleep is a critical aspect of one's daily life for overall health, with a recommended 7 to 9 hours in adulthood (ages 26-64). Up to a third of women do not sleep sufficiently, and pregnant women are at an increased risk for sleep deficiency. Throughout pregnancy, sleep is affected in differing ways. For example, in the first trimester, hormones affect sleep cycles, but by the third trimester, physical complaints such as increasing frequent urination and fetal movement create frequent awakenings. Associations between sleep deficiency and gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, depression, and some evidence regarding preterm birth exist. A woman's labor course and perception of delivery are also negatively affected by short sleep duration.

Examining Patient Feedback and the Role of Cognitive Arousal in Treatment Non-response to Digital Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Insomnia during Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Insomnia affects over half of pregnant and postpartum women. Early evidence indicates that cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) improves maternal sleep and mood. However, standard CBTI may be less efficacious in perinatal women than the broader insomnia population. This study sought to identify patient characteristics in a perinatal sample associated with poor response to CBTI, and characterize patient feedback to identify areas of insomnia therapy to tailor for the perinatal experience.

PARTICIPANTS

Secondary analysis of 46 pregnant women with insomnia symptoms who were treated with digital CBTI in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

We assessed insomnia, cognitive arousal, and depression before and after prenatal treatment, then 6 weeks postpartum. Patients provided feedback on digital CBTI.

RESULTS

Residual cognitive arousal after treatment was the most robust factor associated with treatment non-response. Critically, CBTI responders and non-responders differed on no other sociodemographic or pretreatment metrics. After childbirth, short sleep (<6 hrs/night) was associated with maternal reports of poor infant sleep quality. Patient feedback indicated that most patients preferred online treatment to in-person treatment. Although women described digital CBTI as convenient and helpful, many patients indicated that insomnia therapy would be improved if it addressed sleep challenges unique to pregnancy and postpartum. Patients requested education on maternal and infant sleep, flexibility in behavioral sleep strategies, and guidance to manage infant sleep.

CONCLUSIONS

Modifying insomnia therapy to better alleviate refractory cognitive arousal and address the changing needs of women as they progress through pregnancy and early parenting may increase efficacy for perinatal insomnia.Name: Insomnia and Rumination in Late Pregnancy and the Risk for Postpartum DepressionURL: clinicaltrials.govRegistration: NCT03596879.

Sleep Disturbance in Pregnancy

Sleep is vital to life, even when women enter into pregnancy state. Good sleep is important for a healthy pregnancy. Sleep disturbances are common during pregnancy and can be due to the change of pregnancy itself or the results of sleep disorders. There is growing evidence linking sleep disturbances with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Differentiation of sleep disorders in order to provide appropriate treatment as well as promoting good sleep for pregnant women is important. A multidisciplinary team to provide sleep care during antenatal period may be needed.

A randomized controlled trial on the effects of blue-blocking glasses compared to partial blue-blockers on sleep outcomes in the third trimester of pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

Sleep disturbances are common in pregnancy. Blocking blue light has been shown to improve sleep and may be a suitable intervention for sleep problems during pregnancy. The present study investigated the effects of blue light blocking in the evening and during nocturnal awakenings among pregnant women on primary sleep outcomes in terms of total sleep time, sleep efficiency and mid-point of sleep.

METHODS

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 60 healthy nulliparous pregnant women in the beginning of the third trimester were included. They were randomized, using a random number generator, either to a blue-blocking glass intervention (n = 30) or to a control glass condition constituting partial blue-blocking effect (n = 30). Baseline data were recorded for one week and outcomes were recorded in the last of two intervention/control weeks. Sleep was measured by actigraphy, sleep diaries, the Bergen Insomnia Scale, the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and the Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale.

RESULTS

The results on the primary outcomes showed no significant mean difference between the groups at posttreatment, neither when assessed with sleep diary; total sleep time (difference = .78[min], 95%CI = -19.7, 21.3), midpoint of sleep (difference = -8.9[min], 95%CI = -23.7, 5.9), sleep efficiency (difference = -.06[%], 95%CI = -1.9, 1.8) and daytime functioning (difference = -.05[score points], 95%CI = -.33, .22), nor by actigraphy; total sleep time (difference = 13.0[min], 95%CI = -9.5, 35.5), midpoint of sleep (difference = 2.1[min], 95%CI = -11.6, 15.8) and sleep efficiency (difference = 1.7[%], 95%CI = -.4, 3.7). On the secondary outcomes, the Bergen Insomnia Scale, the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and the Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale the blue-blocking glasses no statistically significant difference between the groups were found. Transient side-effects were reported in both groups (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of blue-blocking glasses compared to partially blue-blocking glasses in a group of healthy pregnant participants did not show statistically significant effects on sleep outcomes. Research on the effects of blue-blocking glasses for pregnant women with sleep-problems or circadian disturbances is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03114072).

Association of preterm birth with medications: machine learning analysis using national health insurance data

PURPOSE

To use machine learning and population data for testing the associations of preterm birth with socioeconomic status, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and medication history including proton pump inhibitors, sleeping pills and antidepressants.

METHODS

Population-based retrospective cohort data came from Korea National Health Insurance Service claims data for all women who aged 25-40 years and gave births for the first time as singleton pregnancy during 2015-2017 (405,586 women). The dependent variable was preterm birth during 2015-2017 and 65 independent variables were included (demographic/socioeconomic determinants, disease information, medication history, obstetric information). Random forest variable importance (outcome measure) was used for identifying major determinants of preterm birth and testing its associations with socioeconomic status, GERD and medication history including proton pump inhibitors, sleeping pills and antidepressants.

RESULTS

Based on random forest variable importance, major determinants of preterm birth during 2015-2017 were socioeconomic status (645.34), age (556.86), proton pump inhibitors (107.61), GERD for the years 2014, 2012 and 2013 (106.78, 105.87 and 104.96), sleeping pills (97.23), GERD for the years 2010, 2011 and 2009 (95.56, 94.84 and 93.81), and antidepressants (90.13).

CONCLUSION

Preterm birth has strong associations with low socioeconomic status, GERD and medication history such as proton pump inhibitors, sleeping pills and antidepressants. For preventing preterm birth, appropriate medication would be needed alongside preventive measures for GERD and the promotion of socioeconomic status for pregnant women.

The Relevance of Insomnia in the Diagnosis of Perinatal Depression: Validation of the Italian Version of the Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire

BACKGROUND

Sleep disorders are common in perinatal women and may underlie or trigger anxiety and depression. We aimed to translate and validate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Insomnia Symptom Questionnaire (ISQ), in a sample of women during late pregnancy and 6-months postpartum according to the DSM-5 criteria.

METHODS

The ISQ was administered to 292 women prenatally along with other measures of sleep quality, depression, and anxiety, to examine its construct and convergent validity. Women were readministered the ISQ six months postdelivery to assess test-retest reliability. Women were divided into DSM-5 No-Insomnia (N = 253) and Insomnia (N = 39) groups.

RESULTS

The insomnia group had received more psychopharmacotherapy, had more psychiatric family history, increased rates of medically assisted reproduction, of past perinatal psychiatric disorders, and scored higher on almost all TEMPS-A dimensions, on the EPDS, HCL-32, PSQI, and on ISQ prenatally and postnatally. ISQ scores correlated with all scales, indicating adequate convergent and discriminant validity; furthermore, it showed antenatal-postnatal test-retest reliability, 97.5% diagnostic accuracy, 79.5% sensitivity, 94.9% specificity, 70.5% positive predictive power, and 92.8% negative predictive power.

CONCLUSIONS

The ISQ is useful, valid, and reliable for assessing perinatal insomnia in Italian women. The Italian version showed equivalent properties to the original version.

Associations between prenatal sleep and psychological health: a systematic review

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aimed to examine the: (1) strength of associations between prenatal sleep (ie, duration, quality, and insomnia) and psychological health (ie, depression, anxiety, and stress); and (2) moderating influence of sociodemographic characteristics (ie, maternal age, gestational age/trimester, parity, marital and socioeconomic status [SES]), body mass index (BMI), and meeting sleep recommendations.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINHAL to identify studies with at least one sleep measure and a psychological health outcome. Effect sizes (ES) were calculated by associations between individual components of sleep and psychological health (eg, sleep quality-depression).

RESULTS

Reviewed studies (n = 32) included 14,648 participants and yielded 219 ES. ES for anxiety/stress were combined due to insufficient data to analyze individually. Average strengths of associations for sleep duration-depression (ES = .52) and sleep duration-anxiety/stress (ES = .48), sleep quality-depression (ES = .55) and sleep quality-anxiety/stress (ES = .58), and insomnia-depression (ES = .67) ranged from medium to large. Marital status, parity, BMI, and meeting sleep recommendations moderated sleep duration-depression and sleep duration-anxiety/stress. SES, gestational age/trimester, parity, and BMI moderated sleep quality-depression and sleep quality-anxiety/stress associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality and depression are prevalent during pregnancy and may negatively impact maternal and fetal outcomes. Moderating effects suggest that pregnant women of different BMI status and gestational age differ in their sleep habits and depression and anxiety/stress levels. Findings highlight the need to better understand the impact of these associations on maternal-fetal outcomes to inform interventions to improve sleep and psychological health.

Sleep, evening light exposure and perceived stress in healthy nulliparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy

Objective

Sleep disturbances are common in pregnancy, and the prevalence increases during the third trimester. The aim of the present study was to assess sleep patterns, sleep behavior and prevalence of insomnia in pregnant women in the third trimester, by comparing them to a group of non-pregnant women. Further, how perceived stress and evening light exposure were linked to sleep characteristics among the pregnant women were examined.

Methods

A total of 61 healthy nulliparous pregnant women in beginning of the third trimester (recruited from 2017 to 2019), and 69 non-pregnant women (recruited in 2018) were included. Sleep was monitored by actigraphy, sleep diaries and the Bergen Insomnia Scale. The stress scales used were the Relationship Satisfaction Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale. Total white light exposure three hours prior to bedtime were also assessed.

Results

The prevalence of insomnia among the pregnant women was 38%, with a mean score on the Bergen Insomnia Scale of 11.2 (SD = 7.5). The corresponding figures in the comparing group was 51% and 12.3 (SD = 7.7). The pregnant women reported lower sleep efficiency (mean difference 3.8; 95% CI = 0.3, 7.3), longer total sleep time derived from actigraphy (mean difference 59.0 minutes; 95% CI = 23.8, 94.2) and higher exposure to evening light (mean difference 0.7; 95% CI = 0.3, 1.2), compared to the non-pregnant group. The evening light exposure was inversely associated with total sleep time derived from actigraphy (B = -8.1; 95% CI = -14.7, -1.5), and an earlier midpoint of sleep (B = -10.3, 95% CI = -14.7, -5.9). Perceived stressors were unrelated to self-reported and actigraphy assessed sleep.

Conclusion

In healthy pregnant participants sleep in the third trimester was preserved quite well. Even so, the data suggest that evening light exposure was related to shorter sleep duration among pregnant women.

Associations Between Sleep and Mental Health Among Latina Adolescent Mothers: The Role of Social Support

Adolescent mothers experience poorer sleep than adult mothers, and Latina adolescent mothers are at greater risk of postpartum depression compared with other racial/ethnic groups. However, social support may be protective against the negative effects of poor sleep in this population. The current study examined (1) associations between the quality and quantity of Latina adolescent mothers’ sleep and mental health (depressive symptoms and anxiety), and (2) whether social support buffered the effects of poor sleep on mental health. A sample of Latina adolescent mothers (N = 84) from an agricultural region in the United States reported on their sleep duration/quality, social support from family, friends, and significant others, and their depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results showed that adolescent mothers reported poorer sleep than pediatric recommendations, and poorer sleep quality was associated with greater depressive and anxiety symptoms. Interestingly, when adolescent mothers reported better sleep, they had fewer depressive symptoms in the context of high support from friends compared with low support from friends. Sleep is important for mental health in Latina adolescent mothers, and better sleep combined with strong social support has positive associations with mental health in this population. Findings hold implications for improving mental health in adolescent mothers.

Poor sleep quality and its associated factors among pregnant women in Northern Ethiopia, 2020: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sleep is a physiologic necessity for all humankind. Pregnant women, in particular, need adequate sleep to develop their fetuses as well as save energy required for delivery. A change in sleep quality and quantity is the most common phenomena during pregnancy due to mechanical and hormonal factors. However, there is a scarcity of data about poor sleep quality and its associated factors among pregnant mothers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its associated factors among pregnant mothers at Wadila primary hospital, Ethiopia.

METHODS

Institution based cross-sectional study design was employed on 411 pregnant mothers. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire. SPSS Version 23 for Windows software was used for data analyses. Bivariate analysis was conducted to detect the association between dependent and independent variables, and to choose candidate variables (p < 0.25) for multivariate logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at p-value <0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 411 participants were included in the study making a response rate of 97.4%. Overall, 68.4% of participants found to have poor sleep quality (PSQI>5). Age of the mother [age 20-30 years; AOR = 4.3 CI (1.8, 9.9), p = 0.001, and age >30 years; AOR = 4.7 CI (1.6, 13.9) p = 0.005], gestational age [second trimester, AOR = 2.46, CI (1.2, 4.9), p = 0.01 and third trimester, AOR = 7.5, CI (3.2, 17.8), p = 0.000] and parity [multiparous women; AOR = 2.1(1.24, 3.6) p = 0.006] were predictor variables for poor sleep quality among pregnant mothers.

CONCLUSION

More than two-third of pregnant mothers had poor sleep quality. Advanced maternal age, increased gestational age and multiparty are found to be predictors of poor sleep quality in pregnant women.

A Review of Sleep Architecture and Sleep Changes During Pregnancy

Importance

Poor sleep is widely recognized as a common complaint in pregnancy, and yet there are incomplete data on the exact nature of these complaints, what their implications for fetal and maternal health are, and how to best recognize and address these significant health issues.

Objectives

The purpose of this article is to review the current literature on the changes in objectively measured sleep parameters that occur during pregnancy, identify any possible trends, and discuss current implications for obstetric outcomes and treatments.

Evidence Acquisition

PubMed NCBI and Google Scholars database were searched for a variety of sleep-related terms, and articles were selected based on relevance to the topic and method of sleep pattern monitoring.

Results

Poor sleep is ubiquitous during pregnancy, and the relatively few studies evaluating the issue using objective polysomnography have small sample sizes. However, data suggests sleep architecture changes begin as early as the first trimester, and there is evidence that primigravid sleep structure never returns to prepregnancy levels after birth. In addition, cesarean delivery frequency, early labor, labor length, depression, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes all appear to be influenced by sleep changes. Current treatments are based on nonpregnant populations and may not be appropriate for the gravid patient.

Conclusions and Relevance

Disordered sleep is a more widespread and serious issue than most women are aware, and there are numerous obstetric and general health implications to cause clinician concern. More research is needed on both electroencephalography architecture changes and treatment options.

Mid-pregnancy insomnia is associated with concurrent and postpartum maternal anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although many perinatal women are affected by anxiety, few studies have focused on perinatal anxiety and its potential triggers. The primary aim of this study was to examine concurrent and prospective associations between mid-pregnancy insomnia and perinatal anxiety. Furthermore, we compared psychosocial and reproductive characteristics between participants with and without mid-pregnancy insomnia and explored changes in the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms from mid-pregnancy to 8 weeks postpartum.

METHODS

This study was part of the Norwegian Depression and Anxiety in the Perinatal Period (DAPP) prospective, population-based, cohort study. We analyzed hospital birth records and questionnaire responses from pregnancy week 17 and postpartum week 8 (n = 530). The Bergen Insomnia Scale was used to measure insomnia and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist to measure anxiety. OCD symptoms were measured based on questions from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview.

RESULTS

Mid-pregnancy insomnia was significantly associated with both concurrent and postpartum anxiety in a linear mixed model adjusted for several potential confounders. Participants with mid-pregnancy insomnia had significantly higher levels of perinatal anxiety and postpartum OCD symptoms than participants with normal mid-pregnancy sleep. OCD symptoms affected more women after delivery than before (6.4% vs. 3.8% p = 0.034).

LIMITATIONS

Immigrants were underrepresented in our sample.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that mid-pregnancy insomnia is a marker for concurrent anxiety and predictor of postpartum anxiety. Future research should examine whether insomnia treatment starting in mid-pregnancy reduces both perinatal insomnia and anxiety. Health providers should also be aware that postpartum women have an increased risk of developing OCD symptoms.

A randomized controlled trial of digital cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

Despite high rates of prenatal insomnia, efficacious treatment options for this population are quite limited. Early evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) support the efficacy of face-to-face cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) for prenatal insomnia. Yet, as many patients are unable to access this specialist-driven care, a critical need exists to increase its accessibility. This RCT examined the efficacy internet-based digital CBTI in pregnant women with insomnia.

METHODS

Single-site RCT. A total of 91 pregnant women (29.03 ± 4.16 years) nearing/entering the third trimester who screened positive for clinical insomnia on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) were randomized to digital CBTI or digital sleep education control. The ISI, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale's Cognitive factor (PSAS-C) served as study outcomes, which were collected before treatment and after treatment during pregnancy, then six weeks after childbirth.

RESULTS

From pre to posttreatment, CBTI patients reported reductions in ISI (-4.91 points, p < 0.001) and PSQI (-2.98 points, p < 0.001) and increases in nightly sleep duration by 32 min (p = 0.008). Sleep symptoms did not change during pregnancy in the control group. After childbirth, CBTI patients, relative to controls, slept longer by 40 min per night (p = 0.01) and reported better sleep maintenance. No pre or postnatal treatment effects on depression or cognitive arousal were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital CBTI improves sleep quality and sleep duration during pregnancy and after childbirth. To better optimize outcomes, CBTI should be tailored to meet the changing needs of women as the progress through pregnancy and early parenting. NAME: Insomnia and Rumination in Late Pregnancy and the Risk for Postpartum Depression. URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Registration: NCT03596879.

A Cohort Study of Psychotropic Prescription Drug Use in Pregnancy in British Columbia, Canada from 1997 to 2010

Background: Psychiatric conditions are relatively common during pregnancy, and many of these conditions are treated with psychotropic medications. In this article, we aim to quantify the rate of pregnancy-related exposures and describe how psychotropic medications are being used in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all pregnancies ending in a live birth in the Canadian province of British Columbia between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2010. We examined antipsychotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and stimulants use during pregnancy. We describe use of these medications across the pregnancy period, in terms of incident and prevalent use in pregnancy and whether women had corresponding diagnoses for mental health conditions. Results: We included 424,307 pregnancies, of whom 7.1% were dispensed a psychotropic medication. The most commonly used psychotropic medications were antidepressants (4.2%) followed by anxiolytics (3.4%). Among psychotropic medication users, the most commonly associated psychiatric diagnosis was major depressive disorder (43.2%) followed by anxiety (15.8%) and adjustment reaction and/or acute stress (15.8%). The majority of antidepressant use was prevalent (continued from preconception period), whereas most anxiolytic use was incident (no prescriptions in the 6 months before conception). Conclusions: The relatively high rate of use of psychotropic drugs in this cohort, and the existence of effective alternative treatments for the commonly treated conditions suggests a need to improve access to nondrug options before and during pregnancy. The finding that fewer women are discontinuing their antidepressants during pregnancy should be further investigated.

A Longitudinal Study of Physical Activity to Improve Sleep Quality During Pregnancy

PURPOSE

To explore the association between maternal physical activity (PA) and sleep quality during pregnancy, and the necessary PA level at different gestational stages to attain improved sleep quality.

METHODS

A total of 2443 participants were recruited from the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort (Shanghai MCPC) study, who had completed questionnaires including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) at gestational weeks (GW) of 12-16 and 32-36. PSQI scores and their seven components at the two GW were compared, as were PSQI scores at 12-16 and 32-36 GW and the increment in PSQI relative to PA. Regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of PA and its change on the total PSQI score at different GW.

RESULTS

The mean PSQI scores increased significantly during pregnancy, from 6.30 ± 3.01 at 12-16 GW to 7.23 ± 3.47 at 32-36 GW. Compared with women in low PA level, moderate levels of PA at both 12-16 GW and 32-36 GW were significantly reduced PSQI scores of 0.42 (95% CI:-0.68,-0.16) and 0.32 (95% CI:-0.63,-0.01), respectively. At 32-36 GW, high PA level also significantly decreased PSQI score, with a greater decline than moderate PA level. (AOR=-0.87,95% CI:-1.57,-0.18). PA increment from 12-16 to 32-36 weeks of pregnancy created a significant decline of 0.54 in PSQI scores.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed sleep quality was worse at the third trimester and moderate PA level had the potential for improvement of sleep quality both in the first and the third trimester. High PA level was also beneficial to improve sleep quality of pregnant women in the third trimester.

Epidemiology of neurologic disease in pregnancy

Many neurologic diseases in women are influenced by the physiologic and hormonal changes of pregnancy, and pregnancy itself poses challenges in both treatment and evaluation of these conditions. Some diseases, such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, have a high enough prevalence in the young female population to support robust epidemiologic data while many other neurologic diseases, such as specific myopathies and muscular dystrophies, have a low prevalence, with data limited to case reports and small case series. This chapter features epidemiologic information regarding a breadth of neurologic conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, demyelinating disease, peripheral neuropathies, migraine, sleep-disordered breathing, and meningioma, in women in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum stages.

Effect of Acupuncture on Pregnancy-Related Insomnia and Melatonin: A Single-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on sleep quality and overnight melatonin secretion, measured as urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, in pregnant women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This randomized, parallel, single-blinded (participant), controlled trial was conducted on 72 pregnant women with insomnia. Study participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention, 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment over a 3-week period, or control group by block randomization (1:1). Patients in both groups were evaluated at baseline and post-treatment (third week) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score (as the primary outcome) and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin.

RESULTS

Fifty-five of 72 participants completed the study. There was no statistically significant difference regarding PSQI score and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level between intervention and control groups at the baseline (P=0.169 and P=0.496). At the end of the study period, treatment with acupuncture significantly improved the PSQI score (P<0.001) with a large effect size of 3.7, as well as 6-sulfatoxymelatonin level (P=0.020) with a medium effect size of 0.6 as compared to the control group. No adverse effects were noted during acupuncture sessions and follow-up visits.

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture was shown to significantly improve the sleep quality in pregnant women, possibly through increasing melatonin secretion, and could be recommended as a low-cost and low-risk alternative treatment to pharmacological therapies.

Polysomnographic features of pregnancy: A systematic review

Symptoms of sleep disturbances are common among pregnant women and generally worsen across gestation. Pregnancy-related sleep disorders are not only associated with a poor quality of life of the affected mothers, but also with adverse perinatal outcomes, including perinatal depression, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. The current knowledge about the impact of sleep disorders during pregnancy largely derives from the results of sleep surveys conducted in various populations. However, the number of studies examining changes in objective sleep variables during pregnancy via polysomnography has progressively increased in recent years. Here we systematically reviewed the polysomnographic studies available in the literature with the aim to describe the sleep pattern and to identify possible markers of sleep disruption in pregnant women. Based on our analysis, subjective worsening of sleep quality across gestation is related to objective changes in sleep macrostructure, which become particularly evident in the third trimester. Pregnancy per se does not represent an independent risk factor for developing major polysomnography-assessed sleep disorders in otherwise healthy women. However, in women presenting predisposing factors, such as obesity or hypertension, physiological changes occurring during pregnancy may contribute to the onset of pathological conditions, especially sleep-disordered breathing, which must be carefully considered.

Insomnia, Short Sleep, And Snoring In Mid-To-Late Pregnancy: Disparities Related To Poverty, Race, And Obesity

OBJECTIVE

To characterize sleep habits and parameters among women in mid-to-late pregnancy and to identify disparities associated with poverty, race, and obesity.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Large multi-site health system in Metro Detroit.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 267 pregnant women (27.3% non-Hispanic black; gestational age: 27.99±1.20 weeks) completed online surveys on sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, sleep aid use, signs/symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, and sociodemographics. Body mass index (BMI) and patient insurance were derived from medical records.

RESULTS

As high as 76.2% of the women reported global sleep disturbance, 30.6% endorsed snoring, 24.3% sleep <6 hrs/night, and over half screened positive for clinical insomnia. Yet, only 3.4% of the women reported an insomnia diagnosis and 3.0% reported a sleep apnea diagnosis. In unadjusted models, poverty, Medicaid coverage, self-identifying as black, and obesity before and during pregnancy (BMI ≥ 35) were associated with a wide range of sleep problems. However, adjusted models revealed specificity. Poverty was uniquely related to increased insomnia symptoms and trouble sleeping due to bad dreams. Obesity before pregnancy was related to poor sleep quality, snoring, sleep aids, and short sleep. Black women reported shorter sleep duration than white women but differed on no other sleep parameters.

CONCLUSION

Clinical signs of insomnia and sleep-disordered breathing are common in mid-to-late pregnancy, but most cases go undetected. Problematic sleep disproportionately affects women in poverty, who self-identify as black, and who are obese before pregnancy. Poverty-related sleep issues are linked to insomnia, obesity-related disparities center on sleep-related breathing and medication use, and racial disparities relate to short sleep.

[How junior doctors live their work during pregnancy? A qualitative study in France]

INTRODUCTION

During the final part of their medical studies, residents are under a large amount of stress and work overload as reported by a literature review between 2004 and 2014 assessing 33.2% of burn out among them. Pregnancy and motherhood lead to major physical and psychological changes. The purpose of this study was to point out the female residents feeling about the consequences of motherhood and pregnancy during residency.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted for this qualitative study. It was based on the Grounded theory and analyzed by a continuous thematization.

RESULTS

Ten interviews were conducted. Data saturation was obtained by the 8th interview. Diversity of medical specialty was sought. Residents expressed their feeling towards the consequences of pregnancy and motherhood during residency. The data analysis highlighted two major themes related to either work (training, industrial relations and job adaptation), or pregnancy and maternity.

CONCLUSION

Becoming a mother during residency represents an additional challenge for residents. It implies adjustment from them and their work teams in order to reduce the negative effect on a professional and personal level.

Sleep Pharmacotherapy for Common Sleep Disorders in Pregnancy and Lactation

Sleep disturbances are common in pregnancy, and sleep disorders may worsen or present de novo in the course of gestation. Managing a pregnant patient is complicated by the risk of teratogenicity, pharmacokinetic changes, and the dynamic nature of pregnancy. Although nonpharmacologic interventions are likely safest, they are often ineffective, and a patient is left dealing with frustrations of the sleep disturbance, as well as the negative outcomes of poor sleep in pregnancy. As with any other condition in pregnancy, management requires an understanding of pregnancy physiology, knowledge of the impact of a given condition on pregnancy or fetal and neonatal outcomes, and an ability to weigh the risk of the exposure to an untreated, or poorly treated condition, against the risk of a given drug. In partnership with the pregnant patient or couple, options for therapy should be reviewed in the context of the impact of the condition on pregnancy and offspring outcomes, while understanding that data (positive or negative) on the impact of therapy on perinatal outcomes are lacking. This article reviews the epidemiology of sleep disorders in pregnancy, general principles of prescribing in pregnancy and lactation, and safety surrounding therapeutic options in pregnancy.

Use of Prescribed Psychotropics during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review of Pregnancy, Neonatal, and Childhood Outcomes

This paper reviews the findings from preclinical animal and human clinical research investigating maternal/fetal, neonatal, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes following prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs. Evidence for the risks associated with prenatal exposure was examined, including teratogenicity, neurodevelopmental effects, neonatal toxicity, and long-term neurobehavioral consequences (i.e., behavioral teratogenicity). We conducted a comprehensive review of the recent results and conclusions of original research and reviews, respectively, which have investigated the short- and long-term impact of drugs commonly prescribed to pregnant women for psychological disorders, including mood, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Because mental illness in the mother is not a benign event, and may itself pose significant risks to both mother and child, simply discontinuing or avoiding medication use during pregnancy may not be possible. Therefore, prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs is a major public health concern. Decisions regarding drug choice, dose, and duration should be made carefully, by balancing severity, chronicity, and co-morbidity of the mental illness, disorder, or condition against the potential risk for adverse outcomes due to drug exposure. Globally, maternal mental health problems are considered as a major public health challenge, which requires a stronger focus on mental health services that will benefit both mother and child. More preclinical and clinical research is needed in order to make well-informed decisions, understanding the risks associated with the use of psychotropic medications during pregnancy.

Pregnancy Induces an Earlier Chronotype in Both Mice and Women

Daily rhythms generated by endogenous circadian mechanisms and synchronized to the light-dark cycle have been implicated in the timing of birth in a wide variety of species. Although chronodisruption (e.g., shift work or clock gene mutations) is associated with poor reproductive outcomes, little is known about circadian timing during pregnancy. This study tested whether daily rhythms change during full-term pregnancies in mice and women. We compared running wheel activity continuously in both nonpregnant ( n = 14) and pregnant ( n = 13) 12- to 24-week-old C57BL/6NJ mice. We also monitored wrist actigraphy in women ( N = 39) for 2 weeks before conception and then throughout pregnancy and measured daily times of sleep onset. We found that on the third day of pregnancy, mice shift their activity to an earlier time compared with nonpregnant dams. Their time of daily activity onset was maximally advanced by almost 4 h around day 7 of pregnancy and then shifted back to the nonpregnant state approximately 1 week before delivery. Mice also showed reduced levels of locomotor activity during their last week of pregnancy. Similarly, in women, the timing of sleep onset was earlier during the first and second trimesters (gestational weeks 4-13 and 14-27) than before pregnancy and returned to the prepregnant state during the third trimester (weeks 28 until delivery). Women also showed reduced levels of locomotor activity throughout pregnancy. These results indicate that pregnancy induces changes in daily rhythms, altering both time of onset and amount of activity. These changes are conserved between mice and women.

Insomnia late in pregnancy is associated with perinatal anxiety: A longitudinal cohort study

BACKGROUND

Postpartum anxiety (PPA) affects a substantial number of women. Despite increasing recognition of PPA, few studies have focused on perinatal anxiety and potential PPA triggers. Here we aimed to estimate the prevalence of perinatal anxiety disorders, and to explore the association between insomnia during late pregnancy and anxiety before and after childbirth.

METHODS

This study was part of the large population-based Akershus Birth Cohort. We analyzed data from the hospital's birth records and questionnaire responses from pregnancy weeks 17 and 32 and postpartum week 8 (n = 1563). Perinatal anxiety symptoms were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Check List. Anxiety disorder measurements were based on questions from the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Insomnia was measured using the Bergen Insomnia Scale.

RESULTS

Among perinatal women, 10% reported symptoms of at least one anxiety disorder. The observed prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder was higher after delivery (4.2%) than during pregnancy (2.5%). Multiple regression analysis, with adjustment for several psychosocial and reproductive variables, indicated that insomnia during pregnancy was significantly associated with postpartum anxiety symptoms. However, this association was markedly weakened when depression variables were included in the analysis, indicating that gestational insomnia may also be a marker for a mood disorder.

LIMITATIONS

Immigrant and single women were underrepresented in our sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that anxiety disorders are prevalent during the perinatal period. Moreover, insomnia during pregnancy is associated with perinatal anxiety. Health professionals should be aware that women with gestational insomnia may have an increased risk of mood and anxiety disorders.

Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Depression Symptoms, and Blood Glucose in Pregnant Women

Sleep quality during pregnancy affects maternal/child health. We aimed to assess changes in sleep quality during pregnancy and determine its relationship to maternal mood, blood glucose, and work schedule among primiparous women. We conducted a prospective/longitudinal/observational study. Ninety-two pregnant women were recruited from Midwestern hospital. Mood and sleep quality data were collected using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale/Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at Gestational Weeks 22 and 32. Forty-three women completed the study. Twenty-six women (63%) were African American and the mean age was 23.64 ( SD = 3.82) years. Rate of poor sleep quality increased during pregnancy with 25% of women had scores indicative of depression symptoms. Poor sleep quality score was related to mood scores ( p < .05) and work schedule. Blood glucose was not significantly related to sleep duration. In conclusion, poor sleep quality during pregnancy was associated with poor mood and work schedule, suggesting that interventions targeting mental health and lifestyles are needed.

Non-pharmacological interventions for improving postpartum maternal sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence suggests that poor postpartum sleep quality is a risk factor for the development of postpartum depression. As such, non-pharmacological interventions have been developed to help improve sleep in the postpartum period. The primary aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to determine if non-pharmacological interventions improved maternal sleep and to compare the effectiveness of different intervention types. Secondary aims included examining effects on maternal mood and infant sleep. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from their inceptions to September 2017 and found 15 eligible studies. Non-pharmacological sleep interventions were found to improve subjective reports of maternal sleep (Cohen's d = -0.54, 95%CI = -0.88 to -0.19). Massage (Cohen's d = -1.07 95%CI = -1.34 to -0.79) and exercise (Cohen's d = -0.82 95%CI = -1.28 to -0.37) interventions had the largest impact on maternal sleep quality. Positive effects on nocturnal infant sleep were found for interventions overall (Cohen's d = -0.27 95%CI = -0.52 to -0.02) but not for maternal depression (Cohen's d = -0.08 95%CI = -0.28 to 0.12). Despite evidence suggesting improvements in subjective maternal sleep, more research must be conducted on the durability of effects of non-pharmacological interventions using objective measures of sleep quality.