Compromised sleep can lead to serious physical complications, which is why prioritising sleep is vital as an essential medical necessity, and not just a peripheral aspect of care. Photograph used for representational purposes only
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The pervasive disruption of sleep during pregnancy and motherhood constitutes a significant and unacknowledged public health challenge, which leads to a health crisis with profound implications for both the mother and the growing newborn. In our society, there is often immense pressure on women to keep excelling in multiple different roles. Sleep often becomes a casualty, which then becomes a habit that leads to severe and far-reaching health consequences.
The impact of maternal sleep deprivation on health
Research consistently demonstrates the detrimental health effects of insufficient sleep during pregnancy. Poor sleep connects with hypertension, gestational diabetes, and even miscarriages. Sleep quality during pregnancy has also been correlated with lower infant birth weight and increased complications for the baby.
After the postpartum period, the connection between breastfeeding and the assessment of sleep disturbance interventions occur. Chronic sleep deprivation inflammation that marks the mother’s body can potentially develop into postpartum depression and further complicate recovery and maternal mental health.
The role of hormonal shifts in sleep disruption
Hormonal shifts occur when hormones fluctuate during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Changing oestrogen, progesterone, and cortisol levels can disrupt disrupting sleep patterns. This is coupled with physical discomfort and restlessness as well as demanding newborn care, all of which can create chronic sleep deprivation for mothers.
It is also crucial to recognise that adequate sleep is not a luxury, but is a fundamental biological imperative for maternal health and optimal foetal development. Compromised sleep can lead to serious physical complications, which is why prioritising sleep is vital as an essential medical necessity, and not just a peripheral aspect of care.
Societal costs of maternal sleep deprivation
Sleep loss in motherhood has consequences that extend beyond the individual, impacting broader social well-being. Mothers who experience chronic sleep deficiency face problems, such as an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and enduring mental health disorders. This includes anxiety and depression that can extend beyond the perinatal period, potentially affecting the long-term health of both mother and child.
Moreover, a lack of adequate sleep impairs cognitive function and emotional regulation, which directly impact the mother’s ability to provide proper care for her family. It can also have a potential ripple effect across generations.
Awareness and support
Given the substantial health risks involved, it is essential to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and mothers regarding the critical importance of sleep. It is also necessary to make other family members (fathers/husbands, teenage kids, etc.) aware. Furthermore, identifying sleep disturbances along with interventions such as sleep hygiene, education, counselling, as well as medical management of sleep disorders can improve outcomes for both mother and baby.
Healthcare systems should integrate comprehensive sleep assessment into routine and postnatal care, recognising sleep health as a critical component of maternal wellness and societal contribution. Societal structures and workplace policies should follow this process to help and support the sleep and needs of pregnant and postpartum mothers.
The widespread sleep disruption in motherhood is a hidden but critical crisis with far-reaching consequences. Helping to prioritise maternal sleep through recognition, education, support, and integrated medical care is vital. Ensuring restful sleep for mothers is a matter of urgent concern and is also an innovative economic and social strategy.
(Dr Sapna Raina is senior consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru. Email: sapna.raina.dr@narayanahealth.org)
Published – May 14, 2025 02:16 pm IST
