Too little or too much sleep at the beginning of pregnancy may indicate a problem with high blood pressure towards the end of pregnancy, US scientists warn in the Sleep magazine. The authors of the study argue that proper sleep hygiene can bring tangible health benefits to future mothers and their babies.
Dr. Michelle Williams and colleagues from the University of Washington screened 1,272 women at 14 weeks of pregnancy; participants completed a questionnaire on sleeping habits. Only about 20 percent. ladies recommended 9 hours of sleep, about 55 percent. mums-to-be slept 7 hours a night; 13,7 percent slept 6 hours or less; and 10,6 percent ten hours or more. It turned out that too short sleep (less than 6 hours a night) in early pregnancy increases blood pressure measured in the third trimester by an average of 3,71 mm Hg, and too long sleep (10 hours or more) by 4,21 mm Hg .
Researchers also found a relationship between sleep duration and the risk of pre-eclampsia (a pregnancy complication of high blood pressure and proteinuria) – the results show that the risk of pre-eclampsia is almost ten times higher in women who sleep very briefly at the beginning of pregnancy (less than 5 hours a night). .
The authors explain that there are many mechanisms by which a short sleep may increase blood pressure. During sleep, blood pressure drops by about 10 to 20 percent, short sleep can increase average daily blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn can lead to structural changes and an increase in pressure throughout the bloodstream. In addition, this reduction in sleep duration can interfere with the release of hormones, including endothelin and vasopressin, which play a very important role in the circulatory system. In addition, both pressure and sleep duration are influenced by independent disorders such as depressed mood and depression, sleep apnea and insulin resistance.
Scientists plan to further investigate this relationship, but they are already advising future mothers to introduce healthy sleep habits – including regular bedtime, relaxing rituals preceding sleep, arranging a comfortable bedroom without a TV or computer, eating at least two or three hours before bedtime, performing regular sleep routines. exercise during the day and avoid alcohol and caffeine and quit smoking. (PAP)