Association of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes With Self-Reported Measures of Sleep Duration and Timing in Women Who Are Nulliparous

Association between sleep duration during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To systematically review studies on the correlation between sleep duration during pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and use meta-analysis to explore the correlation between the two to provide a basis for preventing GDM during pregnancy.

Methods

The search databases were China Knowledge Network (CNKI), Weipu, Wanfang, China Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, and the search time was from the establishment of the above databases to July 2023. The data were statistically analyzed using STATA/MP17 and RevMan 5.3 software. Publication bias could be accurately assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test.

Results

A total of 5,197 papers were searched, and 13 studies were finally included, which included 80,259 individuals, including 3,461 patients with GDM. The comprehensive analysis showed that. Based on pooled data from prospective, cross-sectional, and case-control studies, extreme sleep duration during pregnancy was strongly associated with GDM compared with average sleep duration. The results of the prospective studies showed that both short (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.07-2.10, I2 = 60.9%, p = 0.02) and long (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.13-1.46, I2 = 0.0%, p < 0.0001) sleep duration increased the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, but the harms were more pronounced with short sleep. In analyzing the association between extreme sleep duration and GDM, publication bias was found in prospective, cross-sectional, and case-control studies with moderate heterogeneity and prospective-only studies with low heterogeneity.

Conclusion

Both too short and too long sleep duration during pregnancy are strongly associated with GDM. Either too short or too long sleep duration predicts the risk of developing GDM, but the harms are more pronounced with short sleep. These findings remind us of the importance of controlling sleep duration during pregnancy and help to optimize early strategies to prevent GDM.Systematic review registration: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier [CRD42023470925].

Sleep health predicted glucose metabolism among pregnant women: A prospective cohort study

AIMS

To examine whether sleep health in the first trimester could predict glucose metabolism in the second trimester.

METHODS

Pregnant women (N = 127) during the first trimester were recruited (August 2022 to March 2023). Overall sleep health was assessed by the Sleep Health Index. Various dimensions of sleep health were measured using a 7-day sleep diary and questionnaires. The outcomes, including diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and HbA1c, were obtained from the medical records in the second trimester. Poisson regression analysis and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis.

RESULTS

The average age of the participants was 32.6 years. The incidence of GDM was 28.3 % and the mean HbA1c was 5.2 % (33 mmol/mol). Sleep duration regularity (RR = 1.808; 95 %CI 1.023, 3.196) was associated with GDM after controlling for confounders. SHI total score (β = -0.278; 95 %CI -0.022, -0.005) and sleep duration regularity (β = 0.243; 95 %CI 0.057, 0.372) were associated with HbA1c.

CONCLUSIONS

Worse sleep health, particularly lower sleep regularity, predicted worse glucose metabolism among pregnant women. Healthcare professional may consider adding sleep-related assessment to prenatal care. Maintaining regular sleep should be encouraged. Studies examining the impact of sleep intervention on glucose metabolism among pregnant women are warranted.

Sleep Disturbances in Early Gestation and the Risks of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy: A Prospective Cohort Study

Maternal poor sleep quality may increase blood pressure during pregnancy, but sound evidence is still limited and inconsistent. To evaluate whether sleep disturbances in early gestation are risk factors for the development of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, we conducted the Early Life Plan Project from June 2016 to December 2019. Maternal sleep patterns were assessed at 12-16 weeks of gestation by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. For gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, we estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multinomial logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Among 5,532 eligible women, we observed that maternal blood pressure in early gestation was significantly higher in women with low sleep efficiency (≤85%), long sleep duration (≥9 hours/night), and snoring. Compared with nonsnorers, snoring in early gestation was independently associated with preeclampsia (OR = 1.72 (95% CI: 1.09, 2.73) for snoring once or twice per week; OR = 2.06 (95% CI: 1.01, 4.31) for snoring 3 or more times per week), particularly for term preeclampsia (OR = 1.79 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.95) and 2.26 (95% CI: 1.03, 4.95), respectively). Results suggest that snoring in early gestation may be a significant risk factor for preeclampsia, with a dose-response pattern.

Study Design and Protocol of the Multisite Pregnancy 24/7 Cohort Study

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and other adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are associated with an increased risk of future maternal cardiovascular disease. Physical activity during pregnancy reduces the risk of these APOs, yet few meet physical activity guidelines during pregnancy. Little is known about the role of sedentary behavior or sleep in APOs, a critical gap in knowledge given these behaviors comprise the majority of a 24-hour day. To address this knowledge gap, the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study (2020-2025) uses 2 devices for 24-hour activity assessment in each trimester of pregnancy to examine associations of sedentary behavior, sleep, and the 24-hour activity cycle (composition of sedentary behavior, physical activity, and sleep) with hypertensive disorders and other APOs. Participants (n = 500) are recruited from the University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh, and West Virginia University in early pregnancy and followed through delivery. The activPAL3 micro and Actiwatch Spectrum Plus are worn in each trimester for 7 days of 24-hour wear to assess the 24-hour activity cycle. APOs are abstracted from medical charts. This study will provide critical data to fuel future research examining how modifying the 24-hour activity cycle in pregnancy can improve maternal health.

The effect of a neonatal sleep intervention on maternal postpartum hypertension: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

In nonpregnant adults, poor sleep is associated with higher blood pressure. Poor sleep is common in the postpartum period and is often attributed to infant caretaking needs. However, its effects on cardiovascular health in individuals with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the effect of a neonatal sleep intervention on maternal postpartum blood pressure in individuals with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.

STUDY DESIGN

In this single-institution pilot randomized controlled trial from July 2021 to March 2022, 110 individuals with a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy were randomized to receive a neonatal sleep intervention (SNOO responsive bassinet) plus usual care of safe sleep education (n=54) or usual care alone (n=56). Remote follow-up visits were conducted at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 4 months after delivery and involved blood pressure and weights, sleep and mood questionnaires, and self-reported infant and maternal sleep logs. Based on institutional data, the sample size had 80% power to detect a 4.5-mm Hg difference in the primary outcome of mean arterial pressure at 6 weeks after delivery.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were similar between the arms. At 1 week after delivery, the intervention arm had lower mean arterial pressure and less antihypertensive medication use than the control arm (99±10 vs 103±7 mm Hg [P=.04] and 23% vs 35% [P=.15], respectively). At 6 weeks after delivery, mean arterial pressure was similar between arms (93±8 vs 94±8 mm Hg; P=.54), but there was a lower rate of antihypertensive use in the intervention arm (15% vs 26%; P=.19). Scores from maternal sleep and mood questionnaires at 6 weeks after delivery and self-reported infant and maternal sleep duration at 6 weeks and 4 months after delivery were similar between arms (P>.05).

CONCLUSION

The SNOO responsive bassinet as a neonatal sleep intervention did not result in improved mean arterial pressure at 6 weeks after delivery after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Delayed Sleep Midpoint Across Pregnancy Is Associated with Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

Background: Changes in sleep patterns and body weight occur during pregnancy, yet it is unclear whether sleep patterns are related to gestational weight gain (GWG). This study examined the relationship between maternal sleep across pregnancy and excessive GWG. Methods: Participants from the Michigan Archive for Research on Child Health (MARCH) cohort study, who had singleton births and provided information on fall-asleep and wake-up times during early (first or second) and the third trimesters, were included (n = 372). Changes in sleep duration and sleep midpoints throughout pregnancy were calculated. Prepregnancy weight and the last maternal weight before delivery were used to calculate GWG, which was categorized into groups (inadequate, adequate, and excessive). Poisson regression models were used to examine associations between sleep changes and excessive GWG, adjusted for age, race, gestational age, prepregnancy body mass index, income, fetus gender, physical activity, added sugar, and fruit and vegetable intake. Results: Excessive GWG was observed in 46.5% of women, and was more common among those with prepregnancy obesity (p < 0.001). Women who delayed sleep midpoint by 1 hour (or more) from the early trimester assessment to the third trimester experienced higher risk of excessive GWG (Risk ratio: 1.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-1.7). Single time points of sleep duration and sleep midpoint or changes in sleep duration were not related to GWG. Conclusions: Delay in sleep midpoint from early-mid pregnancy to the third trimester was associated with excessive GWG. Health professionals should consider changes in sleep patterns during pregnancy to identify those prone to excessive GWG.

Effect of folic acid supplementation in the association between short sleep duration and gestational diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To examine whether or not folic acid (FA) supplementation may modify the relationships between duration or quality of sleep and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk.

METHODS

In a case-control study of patients with GDM and controls, mothers were interviewed face-to-face at enrollment. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale was used to assess duration and quality of sleep during early pregnancy, and information on FA supplementation and covariates was obtained using a semiquantitative questionnaire.

RESULTS

Among 396 patients with GDM and 904 controls, GDM risk increased by 328% and 148% among women with short (< 7 h) and long (≥ 9 h) sleep durations, respectively, compared to those averaging 7-8.9 h sleep. Mothers with poor sleep quality increased their GDM risk by an average of 75% (all p < 0.05). The effect of short sleep duration on GDM risk was much weaker among women with adequate FA supplementation (taking supplements containing ≥ 0.4 mg FA daily for each day of the first three months of pregnancy) than that among women with inadequate FA supplementation, with a p-value for interaction = 0.003. There were no significant effects of FA on links among long duration and poor quality of sleep with GDM risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep duration and quality in early gestation were related to increased GDM risks. FA supplementation may reduce GDM risk associated with short sleep duration.

Early-to-mid pregnancy sleep and circadian markers in relation to birth outcomes: An epigenetics pilot study

Maternal sleep and circadian health during pregnancy are emerging as important predictors of pregnancy outcomes, but examination of potential epigenetic mechanisms is rare. We investigated links between maternal leukocyte DNA methylation of circadian genes and birth outcomes within a pregnancy cohort. Women (n = 96) completed a questionnaire and provided a blood sample at least once during early-to-mid pregnancy (average gestation weeks = 14.2). Leukocyte DNA was isolated and DNA methylation (average percent of methylation) at multiple CpG sites within BMAL1, PER1, and MTNR1B genes were quantified by pyrosequencing. Birth outcomes including gestational age at delivery, birthweight, and head circumference were abstracted from medical charts. Linear regression analyses were run between each CpG site with birth outcomes, adjusting for important confounders. Sleep duration and timing were assessed as secondary exposures. Higher methylation of a CpG site in PER1 was associated with smaller log-transformed head circumference (β=-0.02 with 95% CI -0.02 to 0.01; P, trend = 0.04). Higher methylation of MTNR1B (averaged across sites) was associated with lower log-transformed birthweight (-0.08 with 95% CI -0.16 to -0.01; P, trend = 0.0495). In addition, longer sleep duration was associated with higher birthweight (0.10 with 95% CI 0.02 to 0.18 comparing > 9 h to < 8 h; P, trend = 0.04). This pilot investigation revealed that higher methylation of PER1 and MTNR1B genes, and sleep duration measured in early-to-mid pregnancy were related to birth outcomes.

Increasing systemic chronic inflammation mediated the association between poor sleep during pregnancy and gestational cardiovascular health

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the association between sleep behaviors and cardiovascular health (CVH) during pregnancy and test whether high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) mediates this association.

METHODS

The study included 4204 pregnant women from the Maternal and Infant Health cohort study in Hefei (MIH-Hefei). Information on sleep (chronotype, sleep duration, snoring, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia) was collected through a touch-screen structured questionnaire at 16-23 weeks' gestation. CVH (body mass index, blood pressure, total cholesterol, glucose, and smoking) and hs-CRP were measured at 24-28 weeks' gestation. The role of hs-CRP in the association between sleep and CVH was explored in a mediation analysis, while adjusting for multiple confounding factors.

RESULTS

Poor sleep score was significantly associated with poor gestational CVH metrics, including an RR of 0.872 (95% CI, 0.810, 0.938) for having all ideal (vs. any nonideal) CVH metrics; hs-CRP level was significantly associated with poor gestational CVH metrics, including an RR of 0.531 (95% CI, 0.432, 0.609) for having all ideal (vs. any nonideal) CVH metrics. Sleep scores were positively correlated with hs-CRP level (β, 0.020, 95% CI, 0.006, 0.034). Mediation analysis revealed that the association between sleep and CVH mediated by hs-CRP was 12.31% (indirect effect, -0.0095, 95% CI, -0.0167, -0.0042).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep during pregnancy, particularly late chronotype and snoring, may worsen CVH by increasing systemic chronic inflammation.

Evaluating causal associations of chronotype with pregnancy and perinatal outcomes and its interactions with insomnia and sleep duration: a Mendelian randomization study

IMPORTANCE

Observational studies suggest that chronotype is associated with pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Whether these associations are causal is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To explore associations of a lifetime genetic predisposition to an evening preference chronotype with pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, and explore differences in associations of insomnia and sleep duration with those outcomes between chronotype.

DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using 105 genetic variants reported in a genome-wide association study (N=248 100) to instrument for lifelong predisposition to evening-versus morning-preference chronotypes. We generated variant-outcome associations in European ancestry women from UK Biobank (UKB, N=176 897), Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, N=6826), Born in Bradford (BiB, N=2940) and Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa, with linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN), N=57 430), and extracted equivalent associations from FinnGen (N=190 879). We used inverse variance weighted (IVW) as main analysis, with weighted median and MR-Egger as sensitivity analyses. We also conducted IVW analyses of insomnia and sleep duration on the outcomes stratified by genetically predicted chronotype.

EXPOSURES

Self-reported and genetically predicted chronotype, insomnia and sleep duration.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Stillbirth, miscarriage, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, perinatal depression, low birthweight and macrosomia.

RESULTS

In IVW and sensitivity analyses we did not find robust evidence of effects of chronotype on the outcomes. Insomnia was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth among evening preference women (odds ratio 1.61, 95% confidence interval: 1.17, 2.21), but not among morning preference women (odds ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval: 0.64, 1.18), with an interaction P-value=0.01. There was no evidence of interactions between insomnia and chronotype on other outcomes, or between sleep duration and chronotype on any outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study raises the possibility of a higher risk of preterm birth among women with insomnia who also have an evening preference chronotype. Our findings warrant replications due to imprecision of the estimates.

Key points

Question: Does an evening preference chronotype adversely affect pregnancy and perinatal outcomes? Is there an interaction between chronotype and either insomnia or sleep duration in relation to those outcomes?Findings: There was no evidence that evening preference was associated with pregnancy or perinatal outcomes. Women with a genetically predicted insomnia had a higher risk of preterm birth, if they also had a genetically predicted preference for evening chronotype.Meaning: The suggestive interaction between insomnia and evening preference on preterm birth, if replicated, supports targeting insomnia prevention in women of reproductive age with an evening chronotype.

Sleep Disparities Across Pregnancy: A Michigan Cohort Study

Introduction

Poor sleep health during pregnancy is related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with sleep health during pregnancy and to examine how they relate to changes in sleep during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods

Participants (n = 458) were from the Michigan Archive for Research on Child Health, which is a prospective pregnancy cohort. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported sleep timing and quality were collected in phone interviews. This longitudinal study collected sleep parameters once during the early trimesters and once during the third trimester. Fall asleep and wake-up times were used to calculate sleep duration and sleep midpoint.

Results

Compared to the third trimester, sleep duration was 12 minutes longer (p = 0.02), fall asleep time was 21 minutes earlier (p < 0.001), and the midpoint of sleep was 12 minutes earlier (p = 0.01) in early trimesters. Shorter sleep duration was noted in younger women. Sleep midpoint was later in those who were younger, overweight, or obese, racial minorities, unmarried, and with lower educational levels or socioeconomic status, and who smoked before pregnancy after adjusting for covariates. After controlling for confounders, women who were not working for pay had higher likelihood of reduced sleep duration, and women who were unmarried were more likely to have a delayed sleep midpoint in the third trimester compared to the early trimesters.

Conclusions

This study suggests that sleep parameters changed during pregnancy and sleep health differed by sociodemographic characteristics. Understanding sleep disparities could help with early detection of at-risk populations during prenatal care.

Mid-pregnancy sleep disturbances are not associated with mid-pregnancy maternal glycemia

Background

In pregnancy, epidemiological data have consistently shown strong associations between sleep quality and duration and maternal glycemia. However, other sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep are common in pregnancy. They may contribute to impaired maternal glycemia through sympathetic nervous system activity, systemic inflammation, and hormonal pathways. However, there is little research examining associations between these specific sleep disturbances and maternal glycemia.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the associations of sleep disturbances during mid-pregnancy and mid-pregnancy maternal glycemia and gestational diabetes subtypes.

Study Design

This is a secondary data analysis of the Comparison of Two Screening Strategies for Gestational Diabetes trial. Participants (n = 828) self-reported the frequency of sleep disturbances (i.e., trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, waking several times per night, and waking feeling tired or worn out) in mid-pregnancy. Gestational diabetes was diagnosed using either the International Associations of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups or Carpenter-Coustan approach. We defined gestational diabetes subtypes based on the degree of insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction. We used multinomial logistic regression to examine associations of sleep disturbances with gestational diabetes status (i.e., normal, mild glycemic dysfunction, and gestational diabetes) and gestational diabetes subtypes (i.e., neither insulin resistance or beta-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance only, beta-cell dysfunction only, and insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction).

Results

A total of 665 participants (80%) had normal glycemia, 81 (10%) mild hyperglycemia, and 80 (10%) had gestational diabetes. Among participants with gestational diabetes, 62 (78%) had both insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction, 15 (19 %) had insulin resistance only, and 3 had beta-cell dysfunction only or neither insulin resistance nor beta-cell dysfunction. Sleep disturbance frequency was not associated with maternal glycemia or gestational diabetes subtypes.

Conclusions

Sleep disturbances in mid-pregnancy were not associated with maternal glycemia during mid-pregnancy. Future research should collect data on sleep disturbances at multiple time points in pregnancy and in combination with other sleep disturbances to determine whether sleep plays any role in maternal glycemic control.

Optimizing Prepregnancy Cardiovascular Health to Improve Outcomes in Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals and Offspring: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

This scientific statement summarizes the available preclinical, epidemiological, and clinical trial evidence that supports the contributions of prepregnancy (and interpregnancy) cardiovascular health to risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and cardiovascular disease in birthing individuals and offspring. Unfavorable cardiovascular health, as originally defined by the American Heart Association in 2010 and revised in 2022, is prevalent in reproductive-aged individuals. Significant disparities exist in ideal cardiovascular health by race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography. Because the biological processes leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes begin before conception, interventions focused only during pregnancy may have limited impact on both the pregnant individual and offspring. Therefore, focused attention on the prepregnancy period as a critical life period for optimization of cardiovascular health is needed. This scientific statement applies a life course and intergenerational framework to measure, modify, and monitor prepregnancy cardiovascular health. All clinicians who interact with pregnancy-capable individuals can emphasize optimization of cardiovascular health beginning early in childhood. Clinical trials are needed to investigate prepregnancy interventions to comprehensively target cardiovascular health. Beyond individual-level interventions, community-level interventions must include and engage key stakeholders (eg, community leaders, birthing individuals, families) and target a broad range of antecedent psychosocial and social determinants. In addition, policy-level changes are needed to dismantle structural racism and to improve equitable and high-quality health care delivery because many reproductive-aged individuals have inadequate, fragmented health care before and after pregnancy and between pregnancies (interpregnancy). Leveraging these opportunities to target cardiovascular health has the potential to improve health across the life course and for subsequent generations.

The impact of sleep on in vitro fertilization embryo transfer outcomes: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively examine the association between sleep quality before embryo transfer with pregnancy outcomes in a population with infertility.

DESIGN

Prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University.

PATIENT(S)

From 7,847 women who enrolled from July 2019 to July 2020, 3,183 were eligible.

INTERVENTION(S)

Information about sleep, including sleep quality, sleep duration, and sleep chronology, were collected before embryo transfer using an integrated questionnaire. Sleep quality is quantified by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with a cut-point of 5 (PSQI >5 identifying poor sleep vs. PSQI ≤5 identifying good sleep). Average weekly sleep duration was calculated and divided into 5 groups (≤7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10, and >10 h/d). In defining sleep chronotype, women with a sleep midpoint earlier than 2:30 AM were defined as morningness type, whereas those with a sleep midpoint later than 3:30 AM were defined as eveningness type, and the remainder were defined as an intermediate type.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Rate of clinical pregnancy and live birth.

RESULT(S)

Compared with those reporting poor sleep quality, those reporting good sleep quality showed higher clinical pregnancy (69.3% vs. 65.1%) and live birth rates (50.5% vs. 45.7%). After adjusting for confounding factors, women who self-reported good sleep had a higher probability of acquiring clinical pregnancy (RR, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.13) and of live birth (RR, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.23). Women with the morningness chronotype had the lowest rates of clinical pregnancy and live birth and had the highest rate of miscarriage. Sleep duration was found to have no significant association with any outcomes. In the stratified analyses, the positive associations of good sleep quality with clinical pregnancy and live birth existed only among women younger than 35 years old or who had undergone fresh embryo transfer.

CONCLUSION(S)

Good sleep quality was positively associated with outcomes in in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET), particularly with clinical pregnancy and live birth. Poor sleep quality may be a risk factor for adverse IVF-ET outcomes for women <35 years old. Treating sleep disorders and providing sleep behavior guidance to patients receiving IVF-ET may improve pregnancy outcomes.

Maternal Sleep Problems in the Periconceptional Period and the Impact on Health of Mother and Offspring: A Systematic Review

Knowledge of the impact of sleep problems in the periconceptional period is scarce. Since this period is the most sensitive time window for embryonic and placental development, we aim to study the impact of maternal sleep problems in the periconceptional period on both mother and offspring. We systematically searched various databases up until September 2021 for studies reporting on maternal sleep in the periconceptional period and any outcome in mother and offspring. We included observational studies describing maternal sleep problems in the periconceptional period and associations with either maternal and/or offspring outcomes. The search produced 8596 articles, of which we selected 27 studies. Some associations were found between sleep problems and lower fertility, more hypertensive disorders, more mood disorders in mothers, higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, and more sleep and behavior problems in offspring, with associations with maternal mood disorders being most consistent. This systematic review shows that maternal sleep problems in the periconceptional period are associated with a higher risk of various adverse outcomes in both mother and offspring, although not consistently. It shows that good sleep during pregnancy is crucial, starting as early as before conception, especially for maternal mood. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to pay attention to sleep problems in the periconceptional period and provide adequate treatment for potential sleep problems, even before pregnancy.

Effect of maternal sleep on embryonic development

The concept of developmental origin of health and disease has ignited a search for mechanisms and health factors influencing normal intrauterine development. Sleep is a basic health factor with substantial individual variation, but its implication for early prenatal development remains unclear. During the embryonic period, the yolk sac is involved in embryonic nutrition, growth, hematopoiesis, and likely in fetal programming. Maternal body measures seem to influence its size in human female embryos. In this prospective, longitudinal observational study of 190 healthy women recruited before natural conception, we assessed the effect of prepregnant sleep duration (actigraphy) on the fetal crown-rump-length (CRL) and yolk sac size (ultrasound). All women gave birth to a live child. The prepregnancy daily sleep duration had an effect on the male yolk sac and CRL at the earliest measurement only (7 weeks). I.e., the yolk sac diameter decreased with increasing sleep duration (0.22 mm·h-1d-1, 95%CI [0.35-0.09], P < 0.01), and CRL increased (0.92 mm·h-1d-1, 95%CI [1.77-0.08], P = 0.03). Since there was no association at the second measurement (10 weeks), and in the group of female fetuses at any measure point, we suggest a sex- and time-dependent embryonic adaptation to sleep generated differences in the intrauterine environment in normal pregnancies.

Sleep During Pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article will provide a brief review of most recent findings of sleep, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome during pregnancy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent meta-analyses have found that 38.2% of pregnant women experience insomnia, 15% experience obstructive sleep apnea, and 20% experience restless leg syndrome. Poor sleep during pregnancy is associated with increased odds of preterm birth, cesarean section, hypertension, gestational diabetes, and longer deliveries. OSA is also associated with poor outcomes such as maternal hypertension, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low infant Apgar score. Incidence of new-onset RLS increases with parity, gestational age, maternal age, and increased maternal adiposity. Typical treatments have been found to be effective for treating sleep disorders in pregnant women. Obtaining sufficient sleep quality and quantity in addition to assessing and treating sleep disorders should be a priority for pregnant women and their providers.

The association of a past childbirth experience with a variety of early physical and mental symptoms in subsequent pregnancies

BACKGROUND

Some women have a perceived negative experience of childbirth due to various reasons- e.g., obstetric complications or the feeling of loss of control. We do not know enough about the effects of a perceived negative experience of a childbirth on a woman's subsequent pregnancies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a previously perceived negative childbirth experience affects a woman's physical and mental well-being in a later pregnancy.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study in Danish general practice, based on information about women's childbirth experiences from the Pregnancy Health Record filled in by the general practitioner (GP) and data from an electronic questionnaire completed by the women.

RESULTS

A total of 1288 women were included in the analysis. Women who had given birth before were found to have a significantly higher risk of experiencing nausea, varicose veins and uterine contractions, and a lower risk of pelvic cavity pain in the current pregnancy. Women having given birth before were significantly more likely to assess their physical fitness as poor and to experience poor well-being. Women with a perceived negative experience of childbirth had more sleep problems and a higher prevalence of poor self-rated health than women with unproblematic childbirth experience.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that women with a previously perceived negative experience of childbirth are affected according to their mental health in their subsequent pregnancy.

Association of physical activity and sleep habits during pregnancy with autistic spectrum disorder in 3-year-old infants

Background:

We hypothesized that maternal lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and sleep habits, may be associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal physical activity and sleep before and during pregnancy with infant ASD diagnosed by the age of 3 years.

Methods:

We used the data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study between 2011 and 2014. The study included 103,060 pregnant women, among which, 69,969 women were analyzed. Participants were asked about their physical activity and sleep before and during pregnancy using questionnaires during pregnancy. Maternal physical activity was estimated using the international physical activity questionnaire. Based on the levels of physical activity before or during pregnancy, the participants were divided into five groups. Maternal sleep was analyzed based on sleep duration and bedtime. The outcome was diagnosis of ASD in 3-year-old infants.

Results:

In mothers with higher physical activity levels during pregnancy, the risk ratios (RR) for ASD in their 3-year-old infants were lower (RR = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.42–0.90). In contrast, too short (<6 h) and too long (>10 h) sleep durations during pregnancy were associated with higher risk ratios for ASD than 7–8 h sleep duration (too short: RR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.21–2.90; too long: RR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.00–2.48). These associations were not observed before pregnancy.

Conclusion:

Maternal physical activity and sleep duration during pregnancy may be associated with ASD in infants.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties with communication and can have problematic behavior. It is unclear whether lifestyle habits before and during pregnancy influence the chances of having a child with ASD. We investigated whether maternal physical activity and particular sleep habits before and during pregnancy increased the likelihood of 3-year-old infants having ASD. Mothers completed questionnaires asking about their physical activity, sleep habits, and any diagnosis of ASD in their child. The children of mothers with high levels of physical activity during pregnancy were less likely to have ASD. The children of mothers who had slept for less than 6 h or longer than 10 h a night were more likely to have ASD. Thus, improving sleep and increasing exercise during pregnancy might reduce the risk of ASD in their children.

Nakahara, Michikawa et al determined the physical activity and sleep habits of women before and during pregnancy and compared these with diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder in their offspring. Abnormal sleep and reduced physical activity during pregnancy were associated with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Maternal sleep during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM/INTRODUCTION

Sleep problem is an important public health concern worldwide. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate whether sleep duration associated with pregnancy outcomes, and the associations were modified by important characteristics of studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Basing on PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases, we searched for the published literature related to maternal sleep duration and adverse pregnancy outcomes before 30 June, 2021. We conducted risk of bias assessment, subgroup analyses and sensitivity analysis. The relative risks (RR) or odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate the pooled effects.

RESULTS

5246 references were identified through databases searching, 41 studies were included in the study. Pregnant with short sleep duration had 1.81 times (95% CI 1.35-2.44, P < 0.001) risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The association between short sleep duration and the risk of gestational hypertension (GH), cesarean section (CS), low birthweight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA) were not significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, long sleep duration was significantly correlated with GDM (OR 1.24. 95% CI 1.12-1.36, P < 0.001) and CS (OR 1.13. 95% CI 1.04-1.22, P = 0.004), while long sleep duration was not linked with GH, LBW, PTB and SGA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Short / long sleep duration appeared to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, specifically with an increased risk of GDM. Sleep should be systematically screened in the obstetric population.

Sleep Disturbances Before Pregnancy and Subsequent Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between sleep disturbances before pregnancy and the subsequent risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic before the 12th gestational week between September 2019 and June 2020 were enrolled. The sleep status at the month before the last menstrual period was collected by filling the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) to evaluate the sleep duration, quality and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With monthly antenatal care, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed during 24-28 gestational weeks. According to the results, GDM and non-GDM group were classified. The sleep status and baseline characters were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 355 pregnant women were enrolled in this study, and 63 of them (17.7%) were diagnosed with GDM. Univariate analysis showed that maternal age, body mass index (BMI), family history of diabetes, PSQI score and positive BQ were associated with GDM (p < 0.05). Maternal age (aOR 1.10, 95% CI, 1.01-1.17), BMI before pregnancy (aOR 1.12, 95% CI, 1.02-1.23), family history of diabetes (aOR 2.35, 95% CI, 1.33-4.17), positive BQ (aOR 4.03, 95% CI, 1.04-15.63) were independent risk factors for GDM in multivariate analysis. The decision tree indicated that among the pregnant women with BMI >20.6 kg/m² and age >28.5, the risk for GDM with positive BQ increased from 27.5% to 66.7%.

CONCLUSION

The high risk of OSA before pregnancy may increase the risk for GDM during pregnancy.

Sleep heterogeneity in the third trimester of pregnancy: Correlations with depression, memory impairment, and fatigue

This study aimed to identify sleep subtypes during pregnancy using a person-centered method, explore the underlying factors of these subtypes, and investigate the associations of these subtypes with depression, memory impairment, and fatigue. Accordingly, self-report measures were administered to 1,825 pregnant women to assess demographics, prenatal factors, childhood trauma, personality traits, sleep problems, depression, memory impairment, and fatigue. Data were analyzed using latent class analysis, chi-squared tests, analysis of variance, multinomial logistical regression, and multivariate linear regression analyses. The profiles of "good sleep quality," "poor sleep efficiency," "daily disturbances," and "poor sleep quality" were identified. The results also revealed several factors underlying these subtypes that affect sleep quality: rumination, perinatal complications, high neuroticism, low resilience, history of abortion, and postgraduate education. Further, the "daily disturbances" and the "poor sleep quality" groups reported higher depression, memory impairment, and fatigue than the "good sleep quality" group. Thus, this study elucidated the heterogeneity of sleep subtypes during pregnancy in the Chinese population. Such findings may promote the development of tailored interventions for specific sleep subtypes in pregnant women.

Sleep and physical activity from before conception to the end of pregnancy in healthy women: a longitudinal actigraphy study

BACKGROUND

Sleep and physical activity changes are common in pregnancy, but longitudinal data starting before conception are scarce. Our aim was to determine the changes of the daily total sleep time (TST) and physical activity duration (PAD) from before conception to end of pregnancies in respect of pregestational maternal factors.

METHODS

This longitudinal observational study formed part of the CONIMPREG research project and recruited healthy women planning to become pregnant. Sleep and physical activity were recorded around-the-clock for ≥4 days via actigraphy before conception and during each trimester of pregnancy. Data were adjusted according to pregestational maternal body composition, parity and age.

RESULTS

Among 123 women with eligible data, the unadjusted mean (95% confidence interval) TST increased from 415.3 min (405.5-425.2 min) before conception to 458.0 min (445.4-470.6 min) in the 1st trimester, remaining high through the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Variation was substantial before conception (±2SD range: 307-523 min). The unadjusted mean PAD before conception was 363.7 min (±2SD range: 120-608 min), decreasing sharply to 262.1 min in the first trimester and more gradually thereafter. Vigorous and moderate activity decreased more than light activity. TST and PAD were significantly associated with age, parity, and pregestational body fat percentage; lean body mass was negatively correlated with TST. Results were generally unaffected by seasonal variations.

CONCLUSION

Marked variations were found in pregestational TST and PAD. Healthy women slept ≥30 min longer during pregnancy, while PAD decreased by ≥ 90 min in early pregnancy and continued to decrease thereafter.

Data-Driven Modeling of Pregnancy-Related Complications

A healthy pregnancy depends on complex interrelated biological adaptations involving placentation, maternal immune responses, and hormonal homeostasis. Recent advances in high-throughput technologies have provided access to multiomics biological data that, combined with clinical and social data, can provide a deeper understanding of normal and abnormal pregnancies. Integration of these heterogeneous datasets using state-of-the-art machine-learning methods can enable the prediction of short- and long-term health trajectories for a mother and offspring and the development of treatments to prevent or minimize complications. We review advanced machine-learning methods that could: provide deeper biological insights into a pregnancy not yet unveiled by current methodologies; clarify the etiologies and heterogeneity of pathologies that affect a pregnancy; and suggest the best approaches to address disparities in outcomes affecting vulnerable populations.

Relationships between objective sleep parameters and inflammatory biomarkers in pregnancy

We examined the relationships between sleep and inflammatory biomarkers during late pregnancy. Seventy-four women underwent an overnight sleep assessment by polysomnography. Blood samples were collected before bedtime and again within 1 h upon awakening to measure C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-6 soluble receptor. Sleep parameters included variables characterizing sleep architecture and sleep continuity. The participants were 32.2 (SD = 4.1) years old, and the average gestational age was 32.8 (3.5) weeks. Controlling for covariates, evening CRP was negatively associated with N3 sleep (β = -0.30, P = 0.010). N3 sleep was also negatively associated with morning CRP (β = -0.26, P = 0.036), with a higher percentage of N3 sleep associated with a lower level of morning CRP. Contrarily, there was a tendency for a positive association between stage N2 sleep and morning CRP (β = 0.23, P = 0.065). Stage N1 sleep was associated with morning IL-6 (β = 0.28, P = 0.021), with a higher percentage of N1 sleep associated with a higher morning IL-6. No significant associations were found between morning inflammatory biomarkers and sleep continuity parameters. In conclusion, increased light sleep was associated with increased inflammatory biomarkers, whereas more deep sleep was associated with decreased inflammatory biomarkers. These findings further support the interactions between sleep and the immune system during late pregnancy.

Sleep complaints in early pregnancy. A cross-sectional study among women attending prenatal care in general practice

BACKGROUND

Sleep problems in late pregnancy are common, but sleep in early pregnancy is less well described. The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence and severity of sleep complaints in early pregnancy. We asked the women about worries due to sleep problems. Furthermore, we investigated the associations between sleep complaints and pregnancy-related symptoms. This association was studied taking into account physical and mental health, sociodemographic characteristics, and reproductive history of the women.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study in Danish general practice based on an electronic questionnaire completed by pregnant women and a Pregnancy Health Record filled in by the general practitioner (GP). The questionnaire measured three sleep complaints and 11 common physical pregnancy-related symptoms. The sleep complaints were measured as mild, moderate or severe, and it was recorded how much they worried the women. The associations between the physical pregnancy-related symptoms and sleep complaints were assessed by odds ratios from multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 1338 out of 1508 eligible women before the end of gestation week 16. The gestational age ranged from 5 to 16 weeks (median 11 weeks) among the included women. On average, more than one third of the women reported to have at least one of the three sleep complaints in the questionnaire. Problems "taking a long time to fall asleep" was reported by 312 women (23%), "waking up too early" was reported by 629 (47%), and 183 (14%) had been "lying awake most of the night". One sleep complaint was reported by 38%, two by 16, and 4% had all three symptoms. The majority were not at all or only mildly worried because of their sleep disturbances, but moderate or severe worries were found among 46% of those" taking a long time to fall asleep" and among 40% of those "lying awake most of the night". "Moderate or severe complaints" were reported by 277 (21%) women "Moderate or severe complaints" were associated with pregnancy-related physical symptoms, such as back pain, pelvic girdle pain and pelvic cavity pain, but only the association with pelvic cavity pain stayed significant after adjustment for depression.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that sleep complaints in early pregnancy are common, and sleep complaints showed association with physical as well as mental symptoms. It may be important for pregnant patients that clinicians address depression, and mood in relation to sleep problems during pregnancy.

Sleep in Pregnancy and Maternal Hyperglycemia: a Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Prevalence of gestational diabetes is increasing globally and sleep may be a modifiable lifestyle factor associated with it. However, existing findings have been inconsistent.

RECENT FINDINGS

Majority of studies reviewed found a link between extreme sleep durations and elevated risk of maternal hyperglycemia. The findings with sleep-disordered breathing are less consistent. Methodological differences across studies, in terms of sleep assessment methods (subjective vs. objective), study population (low vs. high risk), classification of gestational diabetes and sleep problems, may have contributed to the inconsistent findings. Some studies also suggest the possibility of trimester-specific association between sleep and maternal hyperglycemia. Large-scale prospective studies comprising objective measurements of sleep, preferably over three trimesters and preconception, are needed to better evaluate the relationship between sleep and maternal hyperglycemia.

Later sleep timing is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth in nulliparous women

BACKGROUND

Although uterine contractions have a diurnal periodicity and increase in frequency during hours of darkness, data on the relationship between sleep duration and sleep timing patterns and preterm birth are limited.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine the relationship of self-reported sleep duration and timing in pregnancy with preterm birth.

STUDY DESIGN

In the prospective Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcome Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-be cohort, women completed a survey of sleep patterns at 6-13 weeks gestation (visit 1) and again at 22-29 weeks gestation (visit 3). Additionally, at 16-21 weeks gestation (visit 2), a subgroup completed a weeklong actigraphy recording of their sleep. Weekly averages of self-reported sleep duration and sleep midpoint were calculated. A priori, sleep duration of <7 hours was defined as "short," and sleep midpoint after 5 am was defined as "late." The relationships among these sleep characteristics and all preterm birth and spontaneous preterm birth at <37 weeks gestation were examined in univariate analyses. Multivariable logistic regressions that controlled for age and body mass index alone (model 1) and with additional covariates (race, smoking, insurance, and employment schedule) following a backward elimination process (model 2) were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 10,038 women who were enrolled, sleep survey data were available on 7524 women at visit 1 and 7668 women at visit 3. The rate of short sleep duration was 17.1% at visit 1 and 20.7% at visit 3. The proportion with a late sleep midpoint was 11.6% at visit 1 and 12.2% at visit 3. There was no significant relationship between self-reported short sleep and preterm birth across all visits. However, self-reported late sleep midpoint (>5 am) was associated with preterm birth . Women with a late sleep midpoint (>5 am) in early pregnancy had a preterm birth rate of 9.5%, compared with 6.9% for women with sleep midpoint ≤5 am (P=.005). Similarly, women with a late sleep midpoint had a higher rate of spontaneous preterm birth (6.2% vs 4.4%; P=.019). Comparable results were observed for women with a late sleep midpoint at visit 3 (all preterm birth 8.9% vs 6.6%; P=.009; spontaneous preterm birth 5.9% vs 4.3%; P=.023). All adjusted analyses on self-reported sleep midpoint (models 1 and 2) maintained statistical significance (P<.05), except for visit 1, model 2 for spontaneous preterm birth (P=.07). The visit 2 objective data from the smaller subgroup (n=782) demonstrated similar trends in preterm birth rates by sleep midpoint status.

CONCLUSION

Self-reported late sleep midpoint in both early and late pregnancy, but not short sleep duration, is associated with an increased rate of preterm birth.