Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

619
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...
619
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

693
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...
693
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

137
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
137
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

1.8K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.8K
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

439
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
439
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

235
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...
235

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

High-risk Category II electronic fetal monitoring features in the first stage of labor is a risk factor for neonatal acidemia.

American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM·2026
Same author

The Buttheaded Editor: On Your Cover Letter to the Journal.

Journal of biological rhythms·2026
Same author

Maternal cardiometabolic health and the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists from preconception to postpartum: A review of evidence and opportunities.

American journal of preventive cardiology·2026
Same author

On Fealty and Fencers in Science.

Journal of biological rhythms·2026
Same author

Prepregnancy obesity, gestational weight gain, and their relationship with maternal lipid levels at delivery across racial and ethnic populations.

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2026
Same author

Factors Associated with Nonadherence to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Guidelines for Labor Arrest Disorders.

American journal of perinatology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
10:16

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

8.7K

Sleep behavior and chronotype before and throughout pregnancy.

Peinan Zhao1, Bronwyn S Bedrick1, Kristine E Brown1

  • 1Washington University, St. Louis, USA.

Sleep Medicine
|April 30, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Pregnancy alters sleep patterns, with earlier sleep onset and longer duration in the first trimester. Sleep quality declines in early and late pregnancy but improves mid-pregnancy.

Keywords:
ActigraphyChronotypeCircadianPregnancyReproductionSleep behaviorSleep surveysSurvey

More Related Videos

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
08:36

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

12.1K
Analysis of Electrocardiograms and Behavior in Mice from Pregnancy to Lactation Period
06:40

Analysis of Electrocardiograms and Behavior in Mice from Pregnancy to Lactation Period

Published on: April 5, 2024

594

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
10:16

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

8.7K
Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments
08:36

Collecting Sleep, Circadian, Fatigue, and Performance Data in Complex Operational Environments

Published on: August 8, 2019

12.1K
Analysis of Electrocardiograms and Behavior in Mice from Pregnancy to Lactation Period
06:40

Analysis of Electrocardiograms and Behavior in Mice from Pregnancy to Lactation Period

Published on: April 5, 2024

594

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Chronobiology

Background:

  • Sleep behavior changes significantly during pregnancy.
  • Longitudinal data comparing sleep before and during pregnancy are scarce.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for maternal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep behavior, including timing, duration, and quality, before and throughout pregnancy.
  • To establish normative sleep patterns during different trimesters of pregnancy.
  • To identify potential sleep-related risk factors in healthy pregnancies.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of healthy women from pre-pregnancy to delivery.
  • Validated questionnaires (e.g., Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) used at each trimester.
  • Wrist actigraphy employed in a subset for objective sleep parameter measurement.

Main Results:

  • Participants experienced less social jetlag during pregnancy compared to pre-pregnancy.
  • Sleep period start times were earlier in the first and second trimesters, returning to baseline by the third.
  • Actigraphy showed longer sleep duration on workdays across all trimesters and on free days in the first trimester.

Conclusions:

  • The first trimester is marked by earlier sleep onset, longer sleep duration, and poorer sleep quality.
  • Sleep quality improves in the second trimester, with sleep timing normalizing by the third trimester.
  • These findings provide a baseline for identifying sleep-related risks in pregnancy.