Sleep deprivation and pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnancy is anecdotally equated with sleep disturbance, most commonly resulting in sleep deprivation, with the possible exception of the first trimester when hypersomnia may be present. The relationship between sleep and pregnancy is likely bidirectional. The dynamic hormonal and physiological changes of pregnancy affect a large variety of sleep parameters, ranging from homeostatic sleep drive to sleep latency, maintenance, duration, fragmentation, and perceived quality to sleep stages. Conversely, sleep disturbance, in any form, including decreased total sleep duration versus increased number of awakenings with or without respiratory disturbance, may affect pregnancy outcomes such as gestational hypertensive disease, labor type and duration, prematurity, and gestational weight. We will review the various aspects of sleep disturbance during pregnancy and the existing evidence that sleep deprivation and disturbance affect pregnancy outcomes.