[Why pregnant women sleep poorly compared to non-pregnant women? Cross-sectional study]

To evaluate causes/reasons that fragment sleep related to physiological changes in the different trimesters of pregnancy and compare them with those of non-pregnant women. To identify some sleep disorders in pregnant women (PW) and to compare them with those in non-pregnant women (NPW).

A cross sectional study was performed. A specific questionnaire was designed for the data collection of the study, Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and others were also used. All the full term expectant mothers who attended the Obstetrics Department were invited to participate; non-pregnant students from College and teaching staff were used as control group. The results were expressed in measures of frequency, percent, mean and standard deviations (SD). Differences were considered significant if p <0.05 for all tests.

PW: 1st Trimester (T): n = 106, 2nd. T: n = 104, 3rd T: n = 110.

n = 304 NPW. When comparing both groups we find: ME / MNE: Snoring: p = 0.001. Apnea: p = 0.89. In NPW, the following predominated: Restless legs syndrome: p = 0.01. Bruxism: p = 0.00.

The PW reported more fragmented sleep due to almost all physiological causes, related to pregnancy, who were questioned, but the only sleep disorders found, by survey, were mainly respiratory disorders, nightmares and leg movements. In NPW, however, we found more sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia and restless legs syndrome, bruxism.