Sleep in pregnancy quarters: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective: To identify sleep characteristics and factors associated with sleep issues during pregnancy. Method: This is a longitudinal, with three follow-up periods at each gestational trimester (called T1, T2 and T3). Fifty (50) pregnant women without comorbidities started the study. The following instruments were used: sociodemographic and clinical characterization, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Sleep Diary. Data were analyzed using statistical tests (Chi-square, non-parametric tests and regression models). Results: We identified that 55.3% of the pregnant women reported sleep disorders in T1, 39.5% in T2, and 65.8% in T3; in T3, the risk of reporting sleep problems increased by 67% in comparison with T2. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of poor-quality sleep, especially in the third trimester, prenatal care is understood as a moment of intense learning and an opportunity for nurses to develop actions concerning education, guidance and sleep hygiene.