Pregnancy and Sleep
For most women, pregnancy is a time of great joy, excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, for many it can also be a time of serious sleep disturbance, even for women who have never had problems sleeping. One commentator estimated that as many as 78% of women suffer from disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at other times. Many women also report feeling extremely fatigued during pregnancy, especially during the first and third trimesters. Considering the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy and the prevalence of sleep disorders among pregnant women, it’s no wonder that expectant mothers become so tired.
One of the reasons for fatigue and sleep problems during pregnancy are changing hormone levels. For example, rising progesterone levels may partly explain excessive daytime sleepiness, especially in the first trimester. Hormonal changes may also have an inhibitory effect on muscles, which may result in snoring and in obese women increase the risk of developing sleep apnoea and may be partly responsible for the frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. These interruptions as well as those caused by nausea and other pregnancy-related discomforts can result in significant loss of sleep. Many women experience insomnia due to emotions and anxiety about labour and delivery, balancing motherhood and work, or their changing relationship with their partner. This is especially true of first time mothers. For most women, getting a full night’s sleep becomes even harder once the baby is born. It is very important for pregnant women to prioritize sleep and to find effective strategies for managing their sleep problems as early as possible in their pregnancy.
Several sleep disorders can be caused or made worse by pregnancy. In one study of over 600 pregnant women, 26% reported symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS); symptoms of which include unpleasant feelings in the legs that worsen at night and that are relieved by movement. Another common problem during pregnancy is heartburn, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Another study found that 30-50% of pregnant women experience GERD almost constantly during pregnancy. Pregnant women are also at risk for developing Sleep Apnoea, a disorder in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. It is also associated with more daytime sleepiness compared to women who do not have Sleep Apnoea during pregnancy. If you are pregnant and feel you may suffer from Sleep Apnoea, it is very important that you talk to your doctor.
SYMPTOMS
Some common sleep problems and their symptoms that may occur during pregnancy:
TREATMENT
Treatment for sleep problems during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that drug therapy can harm a developing foetus. A lot of drugs that are used to treat insomnia carry some risk and are typically not recommended for women who are pregnant. Good sleep hygiene can help to manage pregnancy-related insomnia.
Drugs for treating RLS also pose risks to a developing foetus. Prenatal vitamins that include folate and iron supplements will help reduce RLS symptoms during pregnancy, but folate is better absorbed in foods (whole grains, cereals, and breads) than it is in pill supplements. Coffee can decrease absorption and vitamin C increases absorption of folate from foods.
Overweight or obese women who become pregnant, women who gain excessive weight and women who report snoring should be evaluated for Sleep Apnoea. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a safe and effective treatment for sleep apnoea during pregnancy.
Cessation of breathing at night can have an adverse effect on the foetus.
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) can be treated with over-the-counter antacids.
There is no over-the-counter remedy for pregnant women who experience frequent night-time urination but see “Coping” for what you can do to minimize the problem.
The good news about most of the sleep problems experienced by pregnant women is that they tend to go away once the baby is born, but women should still pay close attention to their sleep after they give birth as new sleep problems may arise.
COPING
Sleeping well throughout pregnancy can be challenging. Practice good Sleep Hygiene along with these tips throughout your pregnancy to minimize loss of sleep:
DISCLAIMER: While every effort is made to ensure medical accuracy, this paper should not be used to diagnose or treat a sleep disorder. In all cases the advice of a properly qualified medical practitioner should be sought.
The Sleep Disorder Support Foundation and/or The Irish Sleep Apnoea Trust, its officers or committee members cannot be held liable for any errors.