Effects of sleep disturbance in the postpartum: Are new mothers an exception to the rule?

• Published in: Sleep medicine 2013-12, Vol.14, p.e103-e103
• Main Authors: Creti, L, Rizzo, D, Fichten, C, Bailes, S, Zelkowitz, P, Libman, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Neurology; Sleep Medicine
• ISSN: 1389-9457; 1878-5506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.11.222

Introduction New mothers commonly experience sleep deprivation and sleep fragmentation. Normally, in other populations, such sleep disruption has been associated with decreased perceived sleep quality, daytime fatigue, and sleepiness. But is this necessarily the case in the population of first-time mothers? In order to examine the “pure” effect of sleep disruption on maternal functioning, we selected a homogeneous sample of well-functioning, non-depressed, first-time mothers, in stable marital relationships, whose singleton babies were vaginally delivered. The present study examines the natural progress of maternal and infant sleep through the first 6 postpartum months, and how new mothers’ sleep experience relates to perceived sleep quality and daytime functioning. Materials and methods A sample of 20 mothers was recruited from the postpartum unit of a Montreal hospital. At 2 and 6 months postpartum participants completed the Empirical Sleepiness/Fatigue Subscales and a sleep diary for themselves and their infants. Results Results showed that mothers slept significantly less than their infants, especially during the day, at both time periods. 24 h total sleep times increased at 6 months for mothers, but not for infants. Night time sleep duration increased at 6 months, while daytime sleep decreased for both mother and infant. Sleep was less fragmented at 6 months than at 2 months for both mothers and infants. Perceived sleep quality was related to sleep fragmentation and not to overall number of hours slept. Mothers’ level of daytime sleepiness was significantly less at 6 months relative to the 2-month level; however daytime fatigue was relatively low and not different at the two time periods. Conclusion These particularly well-functioning mothers were relatively sleep deprived at 2 months compared with 6 months postpartum. Interestingly, this resulted only in greater daytime sleepiness, which would be expected when sleep is curtailed, not in increased fatigue, which would have insomnia and/or depression implications. Perceived sleep quality was relatively high at both time periods, suggesting that this psychologically healthy sample of mothers adapted well to their circumstances; quality of sleep was related to fewer sleep interruptions rather than overall number of hours slept. Sleep deprivation and fragmentation in this healthy sample of first time mothers did not appear to have the usual negative consequences to daytime functioning seen in other popula