Sleeping problems and sleep quality during pregnancy

Abstract

Sleep is affected during a pregnancy with, among other things, more awakenings and less deep sleep. Sleep problems during pregnancy increase the risk of mental health problems and medical complications in the pregnant woman and the foetus. There is paucity of Swedish studies on sleep problems and pregnancy. The purpose was to map sleep problems and sleep quality among pregnant women and compare the three trimesters, as well as investigate the relationship between sleep problems and self-rated health. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study with a web-based questionnaire answered by 836 pregnant women. The results were analysed with descriptive and analytical statistics. The results show that the majority of pregnant women (69.5%) reported sleep problems, and 84.2 % reported poor sleep quality. There were no significant differences between the different trimesters. Of the pregnant women, 79.5 % rated their health as good. Among pregnant women with good self-rated health, 65.3 % had sleep problems; and among pregnant women with poor self-rated health, 86% had sleep problems (p <0.001). Of the pregnant women with good self-rated health, 81.4 % had poor sleep quality; and among pregnant women with poor self-rated health, 95.3 % had poor sleep quality (p <0.001). The pregnant women reported many pregnancy symptoms disrupting their sleep. A majority (62.9 %) were bothered by nausea in the first trimester. The effect of acid reflux / reflux, back pain and uncomfortable postures increased with each trimester. Vivid dreams and worries about childbirth were experienced most in the first trimester. Over 80 % of all pregnant women in all three trimesters had disturbed night sleep due to frequent urination