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Maternal Sleep in Pregnancy and Postpartum Part II: Biomechanisms and Intervention Strategies

  • Reproductive Psychiatry and Women's Health (CN Epperson and L Hantsoo, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

As described in Part I of this two-part review, maternal sleep has wide-ranging implications for maternal health and overall family functioning. In addition, poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep are highly prevalent and characterized by considerable racial disparities.

Recent Findings

Part II of this review discusses physiological mechanisms, including inflammation and appetite hormones, by which sleep impacts multiple facets of women’s health during pregnancy and postpartum. These mechanisms are increasingly being delineated, but require further study and better integration with studies of behavioral and physical health outcomes. Further, there are multiple potential strategies for improving maternal sleep, providing the opportunity to tailor treatment approaches to individual needs.

Summary

Ultimately, as a critical health behavior that is amenable to intervention, sleep provides a promising future direction for measurably impacting clinically relevant health parameters in women of childbearing age.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Judith E. Carroll

  2. Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, Mail Code 707624, 300 Medical Plaza, Suite 3330, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-7076, USA

    Judith E. Carroll

  3. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Douglas M. Teti

  4. Department of Psychiatry, The University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Martica H. Hall

  5. Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Lisa M. Christian

  6. The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA

    Lisa M. Christian

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  1. Judith E. Carroll
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  2. Douglas M. Teti
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  4. Lisa M. Christian
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Correspondence to Judith E. Carroll.

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Carroll, J.E., Teti, D.M., Hall, M.H. et al. Maternal Sleep in Pregnancy and Postpartum Part II: Biomechanisms and Intervention Strategies. Curr Psychiatry Rep 21, 19 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1000-9

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