Sleep quality at 3 months postpartum considering maternal age: A comparative study.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Maternal Health
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Poor sleep quality is a common issue in aging populations, yet understudied in advanced maternal age (AMA) postpartum women.
• This study addresses the gap by investigating sleep quality in postpartum women based on maternal age.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare sleep quality between postpartum women younger than 35 and those 35 years or older at 3 months postpartum.
• To identify factors associated with poor sleep quality in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey involved 160 postpartum women in Taiwan, divided into two age groups: <35 years (n=80) and ≥35 years (n=80).
• Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), with a cutoff score of 5 indicating poor sleep.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of poor sleep quality was significantly higher in older mothers (61.6%) compared to younger mothers (38.4%).
• Poor sleep quality correlated with severe postpartum physical symptoms, lack of exercise, and room-sharing with infants.
• Advanced maternal age independently increased the likelihood of poor sleep quality threefold (OR=3.08).

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers must prioritize sleep assessment for all postpartum women, especially those of advanced maternal age.
• Interventions should include advising against bed-sharing with infants, encouraging exercise, and managing postpartum physical symptoms to improve sleep.
• Addressing these factors can enhance overall maternal well-being and recovery.