The call from maternity experts comes as research highlights the risks of sleep deprivation. Sleeplessness in the third trimester can extend labour and increase risk of C-section and depression. Research shows women who sleep less than six hours per night are 4.5 times more likely to deliver by cesaerean. Women report that little prenatal information on sleep is offered.

Queensland midwife and sleep consultant Amanda Bude is liaising with the Australian College of Midwives to devise strategies to help mums-to-be with insomnia.

“The risks from lack of sleep are well documented, but I don’t think that women are educated on the need for sleep, especially as there is a knock-on effect after the birth,” Ms Bude said.
“Clinicians should address sleep patterns in prenatal assessments as potential predictors of labour duration and delivery type,” she said.

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