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Sleep disorders in pregnancy.
Pradeep K Sahota1, Sanjay S Jain, Rajiv Dhand
1Department of Neurology and University of Missouri-Sleep Disorders Center, University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, Missouri 65212, USA. sahotap@health.missouri.edu
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
|October 10, 2003
Summary
Sleep disturbances are common in pregnancy due to physiological and hormonal changes. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent and management of sleep disorders during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Sleep Medicine
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are frequently reported during pregnancy.
- These issues arise from physiological, hormonal, and physical changes inherent to pregnancy.
- Sleep disorders are most prevalent in the third trimester but can occur throughout gestation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated review of the current understanding of the relationship between sleep and pregnancy.
- To highlight the spectrum of sleep disturbances associated with pregnancy, including insomnia, nocturnal awakenings, parasomnias, snoring, and excessive sleepiness.
- To address the limitations in current knowledge regarding the exact nature and incidence of sleep disorders in pregnant individuals.
Main Methods:
- This study is a review of current literature on sleep and pregnancy.
- It synthesizes findings from various investigations into pregnancy-related sleep changes.
- The review focuses on physiological, hormonal, physical, and behavioral factors influencing sleep during gestation.
Main Results:
- Pregnancy significantly impacts sleep duration and quality through hormonal, physiological, physical, and behavioral alterations.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be more prevalent in pregnant women, particularly those with preeclampsia, though its exact incidence is uncertain.
- Preeclampsia is associated with increased snoring and potentially enhanced pressor responses during sleep.
Conclusions:
- Sleep disturbances are a common occurrence in pregnancy, but their full scope remains undefined.
- Further large-scale, multi-center, prospective studies are essential for a comprehensive understanding.
- Clarification is needed on whether standard sleep apnea criteria apply to pregnant women and if lower management thresholds for OSA are warranted to ensure fetal well-being.