Natural vs. Assisted Conception: Sleep and Emotional Health from Pregnancy to Postpartum-An Exploratory Study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Sleep Science

Background:

• Sleep is vital for female fertility and maternal health.
• Sleep disturbances (SDis) are common in pregnancy and linked to perinatal depression and anxiety.
• Assisted reproductive treatment (ART) may influence pregnancy-related sleep patterns and mental health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between sleep, anxiety, and depression in pregnant women.
• To compare sleep quality and mental health outcomes between women conceiving naturally (NC) and via ART.
• To identify specific challenges faced by ART conceivers during pregnancy and postpartum.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study with five assessment points: pre-pregnancy, trimesters 1-3, and postpartum.
• Utilized validated questionnaires: PSQI, AIS, ESS, FFS for sleep and fatigue; EPDS for depression and anxiety.
• Employed negative binomial regression for data analysis, accounting for group size imbalance.

Main Results:

• ART conceivers were generally older, more likely to be married, unemployed, and have thyroid disease history.
• Significant differences in sleep, fatigue, and well-being parameters were observed across time points for both NC and ART groups.
• Women in the ART group reported more severe insomnia symptoms at the end of the first trimester (t1).

Conclusions:

• Sleep disturbances are prevalent during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester for ART conceivers.
• ART conception is associated with heightened sleep disturbances early in pregnancy.
• Early screening for SDis and tailored psychological support are recommended for perinatal care, especially for ART patients.