Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Surgical Closure of Equine Abdomen, Prevention, and Management of Incisional Complications
09:41

Surgical Closure of Equine Abdomen, Prevention, and Management of Incisional Complications

Published on: May 10, 2024

1.8K

Perinatal Sleep Problems: Causes, Complications, and Management

Allison K Wilkerson1, Thomas W Uhde1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, 67 President Street, MSC 861, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America
|August 11, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal sleep changes are common, but significant sleep deficiency, marked by insomnia or short sleep duration, signals risks for maternal and infant health. Identifying these issues guides tailored treatments for pregnant and postpartum women.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Sleep Science
  • Maternal-Infant Health

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are common during the perinatal period.
  • Identifying significant sleep deficiency is crucial for maternal and infant outcomes.
  • Established guidelines exist for recognizing sleep deficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of identifying significant sleep deficiency in the perinatal period.
  • To underscore the link between sleep deficiency and adverse maternal/infant outcomes.
  • To inform the tailoring of treatments for sleep problems in pregnant and postpartum women.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing guidelines for identifying sleep deficiency.
  • Documentation of causes and complicating factors of perinatal sleep problems.
  • Application of knowledge to tailor behavioral and pharmacologic treatments.

Main Results:

  • Sleep deficiency in the perinatal period is characterized by insomnia symptoms, shortened sleep duration, and perceived insufficient/nonrestful sleep.
  • Causes and complicating factors of these sleep problems are well-documented.
  • This understanding facilitates the development of targeted treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Recognizing significant sleep deficiency is vital for mitigating risks in perinatal populations.
  • Behavioral and pharmacologic interventions can be tailored based on documented causes and factors.
  • Effective management of sleep problems supports better maternal and infant health outcomes.

Keywords:
InsomniaPeripartumPostpartumPregnancySleep

More Related Videos

Quantitative Measurement of the Immune Response and Sleep in Drosophila12:16

Quantitative Measurement of the Immune Response and Sleep in Drosophila

Published on: December 4, 2012

16.0K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

25.3K

Related Concept Videos

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
942
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications01:24

Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications

DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
865
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
1.5K
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
1.6K
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
583
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
882