ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to changes occurring during pregnancy, which may have a bearing on sleep, and sleep disorders during pregnancy. Pregnancy is associated with several hormonal, physiologic, physical, and behavioral changes that can cause alterations in sleep architecture, quality, and duration. In addition, pregnancy can affect preexisting sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and restless legs syndrome. Numerous studies have examined changes in sleep architecture during pregnancy with variable findings. The mother-to-be is predisposed to a number of sleep disorders due to the hormonal and consequently the physical and physiologic changes occurring during pregnancy. In 1992, Feinsilver et al. reviewed the physiologic adaptations in pregnancy and suggested an increased likelihood of sleep-disordered breathing in pregnant women. On the other hand, there are physiologic adaptations, such as increased minute ventilation and pharyngeal muscle tone, due to elevated progesterone levels during pregnancy, which may be protective against sleep-disordered breathing.
