Sleep Studies During Pregnancy: Necessary Or Not?

Sleep studies are a common diagnostic test that can help diagnose many conditions and sleep-related issues. They involve recording multiple systems in your body while you sleep, including your brain, heart, and breathing. Sleep studies are not painful and usually take one night to complete.

Pregnant women may experience insomnia due to physical discomfort, changing hormones, and excitement or anxiety about becoming a new mother. Sleep disorders during pregnancy can be linked to further problems for the mother or baby, so it is important to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms.

The most common sleep disorders that occur during pregnancy are obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common type of sleep apnea, occurs when your upper airway becomes blocked several times while you sleep, reducing or stopping airflow. This can increase the carbon dioxide level in your blood, causing you to briefly wake up to breathe.

If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders during pregnancy, it is important to consult your doctor. Treatment options for sleep apnea during pregnancy range from sleeping on your side to using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which provides continuous air pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep.

Sleep disorders and pregnancy

Sleep is an essential part of prenatal care, and it's common for pregnant women to experience sleep problems. At least 50% of pregnant women suffer from insomnia, and this can be caused by physical discomfort, changing hormones, and excitement or anxiety about becoming a new mother.

Common Sleep Disorders During Pregnancy

The most common sleep disorders that occur during pregnancy are:

• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Restless legs syndrome
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep condition characterised by snoring, gasping, and repeated pauses in breathing that disrupt sleep quality. It may affect as many as 1 in 5 women during pregnancy. Risk factors for OSA include weight gain, nasal congestion, and hormonal changes. It is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean sections.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterised by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs while at rest. It is thought to affect up to one-third of women in their third trimester. RLS is often linked to anemia, which is common in pregnancy.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder

Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), or heartburn, causes an uncomfortable burning sensation in the esophagus, especially when lying down. It is a common cause of insomnia in pregnant women and is thought to affect up to one-half of women in their third trimester.

Treatment for Sleep Problems During Pregnancy

There are several ways to reduce sleep problems during pregnancy, including adjustments to sleeping positions and sleep hygiene habits. Certain therapies have also proven effective, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices for OSA, antacids for GERD, and vitamin and mineral supplements for RLS.

Sleep Studies During Pregnancy

A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a diagnostic test that tracks and records the activity of multiple body systems, including the heart, brain, and respiratory system, to evaluate sleep quality. It is a common and painless test that usually takes one night to complete. Sensors are attached to the head and body to monitor brain activity, heart function, muscle movement, eye activity, breathing, and blood oxygen levels.

Sleep studies can be helpful in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and other sleep behaviour-related disorders. While there may be some discomfort from the adhesives used to attach the sensors, sleep studies are generally considered safe for pregnant women.

If you are experiencing sleep problems during pregnancy, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can advise you on whether a sleep study is necessary and recommend appropriate treatments to improve your sleep quality.

Sleep studies and pregnancy

Sleep studies are a common diagnostic test that can help diagnose many conditions and sleep-related issues. During a sleep study, sensors are attached to your body to monitor your brain activity, heart rate, breathing, eye movement, and more. This test is typically done overnight at a sleep lab, but can also be done during the day for those who work night shifts.

Sleep studies can be particularly important during pregnancy, as they can help diagnose and treat sleep-related issues that may be impacting the health of both the mother and the baby. Pregnancy can cause various sleep disturbances due to physical discomfort, changing hormones, anxiety, and other factors. It is believed that at least 50% of pregnant women experience insomnia, and sleep disorders during pregnancy can lead to further problems for the mother or baby.

The most common sleep disorders during pregnancy are obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder. Obstructive sleep apnea, which is characterized by snoring, gasping, and repeated lapses in breathing, may affect as many as 1 in 5 women during pregnancy. This condition can increase the risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean sections. Restless legs syndrome, which affects up to one-third of women in their third trimester, causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs and can make it difficult to fall asleep. Gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or heartburn, is a common cause of insomnia in pregnant women and can affect up to one-half of women in the third trimester.

If you are experiencing sleep disturbances during pregnancy, it is important to talk to your doctor. They may recommend a sleep study to help diagnose and treat any underlying sleep disorders. Treatment options for sleep disorders during pregnancy may include sleeping on your side, using a wedge pillow or dental device, or using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Sleep study procedure

Sleep studies are used to diagnose sleep disorders and monitor their treatment. There are two main types of sleep studies: polysomnography and home sleep apnea tests.

Polysomnography

Polysomnography is performed in a clinic or sleep centre. Before bedtime, a technologist will attach sensors to your head and body to record information. You can then read and relax in bed until it is time to go to sleep. The technologist will be on hand to monitor and record the results of your test and to assist you with any issues during the night. The sleep test ends when you wake up in the morning and have the sensors removed.

Multiple Sleep Latency Testing

Multiple sleep latency testing is sometimes given the day after polysomnography. Sensors are attached to your body to collect data on your sleep patterns over the course of five scheduled nap periods, two hours apart. At the start of each nap period, the technologist will notify you that it is time for a nap, and you will relax and try to fall asleep.

Home Sleep Apnea Tests

Home sleep apnea tests are currently only used to evaluate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Before bed, you will attach sensors to your body and turn on the device. Go to sleep at your usual bedtime. The device will collect data throughout the night until you wake up and remove the sensors in the morning.

Results

Results from sleep studies are sent to your doctor for interpretation. Your doctor will contact you to discuss the findings of the sleep study and whether your results indicate that you have a sleep disorder.

Sleep study results

If you're experiencing sleep issues during your pregnancy, a sleep study can provide valuable insights and help you get the rest you need. Here's an overview of what you can expect from the process and the interpretation of the sleep study results:

A sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram (PSG), is a comprehensive test that monitors your sleep patterns and body functions while you sleep. During the study, sensors are placed on your scalp, face, chest, and legs to record brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, and oxygen levels. This data provides a detailed picture of your sleep architecture and any disruptions or abnormalities present.

The results of a sleep study can help diagnose sleep disorders or conditions that may be affecting your pregnancy. One of the most common sleep disorders during pregnancy is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is characterized by repeated episodes of upper airway obstruction, causing you to temporarily stop breathing during sleep. Left untreated, OSA has been associated with pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Therefore, diagnosing and treating OSA during pregnancy is crucial for both maternal and fetal health.

Another common issue during pregnancy is insomnia, which can be primary (not directly associated with another condition) or comorbid (associated with another medical or psychiatric condition). A sleep study can help differentiate between these types of insomnia and guide treatment approaches. For example, if comorbid insomnia is diagnosed, treating the underlying condition may resolve the sleep disturbances.

Once the sleep study data has been analyzed, a sleep specialist will interpret the results and provide a diagnosis. If a sleep disorder is identified, treatment options will be discussed. For OSA, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is typically recommended. CPAP involves wearing a mask during sleep that delivers mild air pressure to keep the airways open. This treatment has been shown to be safe and effective during pregnancy, improving both maternal and fetal outcomes. For insomnia, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is often the first-line treatment, helping pregnant women improve their sleep hygiene and address any underlying psychological factors contributing to insomnia.

In conclusion, undergoing a sleep study during pregnancy can provide valuable insights into sleep disorders that may be impacting your health and the health of your baby. The results guide treatment approaches, ensuring you get the rest you need during this critical time. If you're experiencing sleep issues, don't hesitate to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if a sleep study is appropriate for you.

Sleep study follow-up

After the sleep study, a healthcare provider will interpret the data and results. This professional interpretation is key to diagnosing any medical issues, as a sleep study involves gathering multiple types of data about how you sleep. Once the provider interprets the data, they will contact you to let you know the results and recommend next steps. In most cases, they will discuss the results and treatment options at a follow-up visit.

A sleep study produces hundreds of pages of information about your night in the sleep lab. The data will give your doctor a detailed picture of your unique sleep patterns, including how much time you spend in light and deep sleep stages, whether you're receiving enough oxygen, how often you awaken (even slightly), and whether sleep is disrupted by factors such as arm and leg movements.

A healthcare provider should reach out to you within a few days after your sleep study to give you the results. This can vary depending on the facility, so it's best to ask your provider when to expect the results after your study.

After a provider interprets the data and arrives at a diagnosis, they will contact you to let you know what they found and recommend next steps. In most cases, they will discuss the results and treatment options at a follow-up visit. They will also discuss treatment options and other next steps.

Sleep Study Results

The results of a sleep study will give your doctor a comprehensive view of the quality of your sleep and can help diagnose many sleep-related conditions. The data will show:

• Brain activity
• Heart activity
• Muscle movement
• Eye activity
• Breathing
• Blood oxygen levels

Sleep Study Treatment

Depending on the results of the sleep study, your doctor will recommend treatment options. For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may suggest:

• Sleeping on your side
• Using a wedge pillow to help keep your airway open
• Using a dental device to help keep your jaw forward

For moderate to severe sleep apnea, your doctor will likely recommend using a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP). This provides continuous air pressure throughout your airways while you sleep to keep them open and help you breathe.

It is important to continue follow-up care with your doctor after a sleep study to monitor your symptoms and ensure that treatment is effective. This is especially important for pregnant women, as sleep disorders can lead to further problems for mother or baby.

When to See Your Doctor

If you think you have symptoms of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, it is important to reach out to your provider. Sleep disorders can have serious health consequences, and early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing these conditions effectively.

Frequently asked questions