Relationship between sleep quality during pregnancy and postpartum anxiety: a prospective birth cohort study

The present study aimed to determine the relationship between sleep quality during pregnancy and postpartum anxiety. A total of 237 pregnant women participated in this birth cohort study, using the sequential sampling method. The data collection tools included a demographic information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory, and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The PSQI was completed by the participants at 28 and 40 weeks of gestation, and the STAI was completed in two stages, that is, once in the third trimester and once at eight weeks postpartum. The mean global PSQI score of the participants was 8.11 (SD=5.41) in this study. Overall, 138 (58.2%) women had poor sleep quality. The mean score for overt anxiety was 36.58 (SD=9.37), and the mean score for latent anxiety was 37.56 (SD=9.44). There was a significant positive correlation between the total score of sleep quality during pregnancy and the scores of overt anxieties (r=0.314, P<0.001) and latent anxiety (r=0.344, P<0.001) after delivery. The results of the present study indicated a significant relationship between sleep quality during pregnancy and postpartum anxiety. Therefore, it is recommended to evaluate the quality of sleep of pregnant women and design appropriate interventions during pregnancy to reduce postpartum anxiety.