Sleep quality and BMI in pregnancy– a prospective cohort study

Abstract

Abstract Background Pregnancy associated sleep disturbances is a common pregnancy-related complication which can lead to significant maternal distress and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Sleep quality can be affected by multiple factors and obesity has been recognized as one of them. Various previous studies have demonstrated poorer sleep quality during pregnancy. However, most studies included assessment at only one point of pregnancy. This prospective cohort study aimed to better evaluate the effect of pregnancy on the quality of sleep throughout the antenatal period and how BMI affects antenatal sleep. Methods A total of 926 women were recruited before 14 weeks of gestation and followed throughout pregnancy. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire (PSQI) was employed to assess sleep quality in 4 antenatal visits throughout pregnancy. Their weight was also recorded at each visit. Results The PSQI global score was higher towards the later part of pregnancy (6.4 to 8.0, p 25 kg/m2). Conclusions Our study showed that sleep quality gradually declined throughout pregnancy for all BMI groups. Higher BMI was associated with poorer sleep as represented by PSQI score and sleep duration, particularly in the overweight and obese subgroups.

Keywords

• Sleep
• BMI
• Pregnancy