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Evaluating Insomnia During Pregnancy and Postpartum

  • Chapter
Sleep Disorders in Women

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

Abstract

Most women (78%) report that their sleep is worse during pregnancy than at any other time in their lives (1). Reasons for poor sleep vary by trimester, but sleep problems begin early in the first trimester with complaints of urinary frequency as progesterone level rises and creatinine clearance increases (2– 4). Pregnant women who are obese are at higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The hypoxia associated with OSA may contribute to maternal hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Furthermore, women with snoring and daytime sleepiness are at higher risk for developing pre-eclampsia (5). Anemia associated with pregnancy places women at increased risk for restless legs syndrome (RLS), and insufficient amounts of sleep during the third trimester may place women at increased risk for longer labors and cesarean births (6).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Health CareNursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA

    Kathryn A. Lee RN,PhD,FAAN

  2. University of California, San Francisco, CA

    Aaron B. Caughey MD,MPP,MPH

Authors
  1. Kathryn A. Lee RN,PhD,FAAN
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  2. Aaron B. Caughey MD,MPP,MPH
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Vermont Regional Sleep Center Department of Neurology, University of Vermont College of Medicine/Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT

    Hrayr P. Attarian MD

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Lee, K.A., Caughey, A.B. (2006). Evaluating Insomnia During Pregnancy and Postpartum. In: Attarian, H.P. (eds) Sleep Disorders in Women. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-115-4_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-115-4_15

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-592-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-115-4

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