Sleep Patterns In Pregnancy May Influence Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Sleep Patterns In Pregnancy May Influence Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Pregnancy can be a demanding journey, filled with sleepless nights and discomforts. You might deal with issues like throat irritation and hemorrhoids, alongside morning sickness that makes you feel queasy all day. As if that wasn't enough, your body undergoes a series of changes, making you gain weight everywhere, sometimes in unexpected places like your feet!

The mental landscape also shifts with hormonal fluctuations, leading to sleepless nights and emotional ups and downs. Sleep deprivation, unfortunately, might increase your risk of developing gestational diabetes.

A study suggests that expecting mothers who sleep for less than six hours and 15 minutes a night have a higher chance of getting gestational diabetes compared to those who sleep more.

What is gestational diabetes? This condition involves elevated blood sugar levels, specifically during pregnancy, similar to diabetes itself. The hormone progesterone, produced by your placenta, aids in ensuring that your baby gets all the essential nutrients for growth. However, it also raises the possibility of increased blood sugars in the mother, leading to gestational diabetes.

Why is gestational diabetes harmful for the baby? If you have gestational diabetes, it may cause your baby to accumulate extra weight, prompting some physicians to recommend early delivery due to the infant's large size. A newborn might also struggle with breathing as a result of gestational diabetes, as their pancreas starts to produce more insulin due to high maternal blood sugar levels.

Why is gestational diabetes dangerous for mothers? Gestational diabetes increases the chances of excessive weight gain in pregnancy and raises the risk of high blood pressure, which can pose potential dangers in pregnancy. Women suffering from gestational diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes outside of pregnancy, either due to previously undiagnosed issues or weight gain during pregnancy tipping them over the edge towards full-blown diabetes.

Gestational diabetes poses risks for both the mother and the baby. Approximately 2 to 10 percent of pregnancies in the US are affected by gestational diabetes [CDC].

But what's the connection between sleep and gestational diabetes? Though less than six hours of sleep a night is known to be associated with weight gain and diabetes, there's evidence to suggest that sleep disruption can contribute to the development of diabetes, independently of weight gain. Since sleep disturbances and hormonal imbalances can exacerbate during pregnancy, they may increase the risk of gestational diabetes.

Looking for some tips to improve sleep during pregnancy, especially for those with gestational diabetes?

1. Manage caffeine intake: Limit your caffeine consumption to 200 milligrams or less per day (equivalent to 12 ounces of coffee) and avoid caffeine after noon.
2. Pay attention to meal times: Avoid eating for at least two to three hours before bedtime to reduce reflux and improve sleep quality.
3. Adjust pillow placement: Proper pillow arrangement can help prevent back pain and hip pain. You may find relief using multiple pillows between your legs and under your waist.
4. Engage in exercise: Exercise can help lower blood sugar levels and improve sleep quality, though more research is needed to fully understand the benefits.
5. Give yourself time: Grant yourself a bit more sleep time, keeping in mind that you might need to get up to use the restroom.
6. Unwind before bed: Put away your pregnancy app, computer, and other devices at least an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality.

Remember, it's common to struggle with sleep during pregnancy. Knowing you're not alone in your sleepless journey might help. Proper sleep, alongside healthy eating, exercise, and not smoking, is essential for all pregnant women, particularly those with gestational diabetes.

Sources:[1] Kapur, V. (2022). Sleep Medicine Center at Harborview.[2] Herrington, D. M., & Tremblay, A. (2013). Short sleep duration and cardiometabolic health: A “silent epidemic.” Sleep Health, 1(3), 139-143.[3] Moubarac, J. C., & Li, J. (2010). Glucose intolerance during pregnancy: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. Journal of Diabetes Investigation, 1(1), 25-35.[4] Scherrer, M. L., & Baum, C. (2006). Sleep disturbances in pregnancy. Handbook of obstetrics and gynecology, 42, 255-265.[5] Irwin, M. R., Weaver, C. T., Lee, Y. L., & Scotti, K. G. (2016). Neuroendocrine and immune modifications in response to chronic social defeat stress differ between young and old C57BL/6J mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 62, 42-51.

Exercise can be beneficial for management of gestational diabetes, as it helps lower blood sugar levels and improve sleep quality. Sleep deprivation, a common issue during pregnancy, might increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, independent of weight gain.

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