Sleep Deprivation, Trigger Complications During Delivery

During pregnancy, the diet should be well regulated, including exercising regularly. But not only that, even sleeping patterns should be maintained because of the quality and quantity of poor sleep during pregnancy, it can be dangerous for the mother and cause complications in the baby at birth.

Studies at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine shows the quality and quantity of poor sleep can interfere with the body's immune pregnant women. It could also result in babies born with low weight, as well as several other complications. Women who were depressed were more likely to have sleep disorders, immune system disorders and other adverse pregnancy problems.

"Our results highlight the importance of identifying sleep problems in early pregnancy, especially women who are depressed," said assistant professor of psychiatry in the Pitt School of Medicine as well as the study's lead author, Michele Okun, PhD, told Parentherald page.Pregnancy is often associated with changes in sleep patterns. For example, short sleep time, insomnia symptoms, and poor sleep quality. The disorder can worsen the body's inflammatory response and causes excess production of cytokines, which act as molecules associated with immune cells.

"There is a dynamic relationship between sleep and immunity. This is the first study to examine the relationship to sleep and immunity during pregnancy," Dr. Okun. Although cytokine essential for pregnancy, but excess cytokines can also attack and destroy healthy cells and cause tissue damage in pregnant women, so the body's ability to ward off disease was inhibited.

In addition, excess cytokines can also disturb spinal artery that leads to the placenta, causing vascular disease, depression, and premature births. Previous research conducted in postpartum women showed that the concentrations of cytokines excess bad effect on the baby such as preeclampsia and preterm delivery.

170 women were included in the study and analyzed the sleep patterns and levels of cytokine production for 10 weeks. The results show pregnant women with depression and lack of sleep, risk of experiencing complications during childbirth. Cytokines could be a major factor associated with premature birth. Any reduction in the immune system due to lack of sleep or depression, increased risk of complications during childbirth.