Abstract
Background: Sleep in the postpartum period is a concern due to robust associations with wake disturbance, fatigue, and depression. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess sleep disturbances and fatigue among women in postnatal period. Subject and Methods: Design a descriptive study design was utilized in this study. Settings the study was carried out in six health centers in Port-Said city namely (El-Manakh, Bank El-Escan, El-Arab, El-Kuwait, Port-Fouad (2), and Omar Ebn-ElKhatab). Sample a Purposive sample was followed in the present study. The study subjects consisted of 322 postpartum women recruited from postpartum outpatient clinics in the above mentioned settings. A Structured interviewed schedule sheet, the Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (GSAQ), and the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory Short (MFSI_SF). Results: The study’s results indicated that (69.6%) had high sleep disturbance, and (93.8%) had high fatigue. There was statistical significant relation between sleep disturbance and women's residence (p=0.007), women's mode of delivery (p=0.015), and women with problems after delivery (p=0.019). There were statistically significant relationship between fatigue and crowding index (p=0.009), women's residence (p=0.021), complication after delivery (p=0.009), hospital's stay after delivery (p= 0.018), and receiving help for caring the baby from their sisters (p=0.042). Conclusion: It was concluded that, the great majority of the studied women had postnatal fatigue, and about more than two-thirds of them had sleep disturbance. Factors that were increased these problems including living with extended family and high crowding index. Receiving postnatal instructions seems to decrease both sleep and fatigue problems; both sleep and fatigue were decreased with staying one day only at the hospital. While help giving at home from women's sisters was decreasing women’s sleep disturbances and fatigue compared with help from husband. There was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between sleep disturbance and fatigue. Recommendations: It was recommended that awareness program for women and nurses about caring for postnatal period and who are at risk of developing postnatal fatigue and sleep disturbances, and help them to cope with the difficulties encountered
Highlights
The first three months after delivery, are recognized as the most vulnerable emotional period for mothers, as insecurity about infant care, the constant demands associated with caring for the baby, and sleep deprivation and minimal social support create the potential for frequent and dramatic mood changes (Ward et al, 2016).Sleep is vital, allowing the body to rest, replenish resources in the brain and body (Kempler et al, 2012)
Recommendations: It was recommended that awareness program for women and nurses about caring for postnatal period and who are at risk of developing postnatal fatigue and sleep disturbances, and help them to cope with the difficulties encountered
The most frequent sleep disturbance was that of insomnia 100.0%, followed by 99.1% with excessive daytime somnolence
Summary
The first three months after delivery, are recognized as the most vulnerable emotional period for mothers, as insecurity about infant care, the constant demands associated with caring for the baby, and sleep deprivation and minimal social support create the potential for frequent and dramatic mood changes (Ward et al, 2016).Sleep is vital, allowing the body to rest, replenish resources in the brain and body (Kempler et al, 2012). The first three months after delivery, are recognized as the most vulnerable emotional period for mothers, as insecurity about infant care, the constant demands associated with caring for the baby, and sleep deprivation and minimal social support create the potential for frequent and dramatic mood changes (Ward et al, 2016). Changes in sleep patterns during this period affects health and functions of mothers and creates many problems for them and for their babies. Fatigue affects negatively the performances and life qualities of women, and life quality of mothers’ families (Kilic et al, 2015). Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess sleep disturbances and fatigue among women in postnatal period. The study subjects consisted of 322 postpartum women recruited from postpartum outpatient clinics in the above mentioned settings.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
