225 Sleep Timing and Chronotype in Mothers: Longitudinal Changes and Associations with Wellbeing from Pregnancy to 2 Years Postpartum

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Women experience significant changes to sleep during perinatal periods. Existing research focuses on sleep duration and quality, but not sleep timing or chronotype (i.e., preferred timing for activity and sleep). This study investigated change trajectories of sleep timing and chronotype from late pregnancy to two years postpartum, and examined longitudinal associations between chronotype and insomnia, sleep-related daytime impairment, and mood. Methods Data were from a 2-arm randomized controlled trial testing behavioral sleep and diet interventions. A community sample of nulliparous women without severe sleep/mental health conditions participated. Women self-reported bedtime, risetime, chronotype (reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), Insomnia Severity Index, and PROMIS Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep-Related Impairment over 7 time points: 30 and 35 weeks’ gestation, and postpartum months 1.5, 3, 6, 12 and 24. Results 163 women (mean age 33.35 ± 3.42 years) took part. Mixed effects models controlling for age and group allocation showed that both bed- and risetimes became progressively earlier over time by approximately 20-30 minutes on average (p < .001); chronotype also shifted progressively towards morningness (p < .01). After controlling for covariates (sleep duration and efficiency, mental health history, social support, age, group allocation), greater morningness was significantly associated with lower symptoms of insomnia and sleep-related impairment over time (p-values < .001); longitudinal associations between chronotype and symptoms of depression and anxiety were non-significant (p-values > .65). Conclusion This is one of the first studies to examine longitudinal changes in sleep timing and chronotype from pregnancy to two years postpartum. Sleep timing and chronotype became progressively earlier over the first two postpartum years. The magnitude of changes is beyond what is expected with increasing age. Greater morningness was associated with lower sleep complaints and sleep-related daytime impairment during the postpartum period. The mechanisms underlying these associations require further research. Support (if any) Australasian Sleep Association, Monash University, Australian Government RTP Scholarship and National Health and Medical Research Council.