A recent study led by researchers at Stanford School of Medicine has unveiled a newfound connection between sleep and activity patterns during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth. In particular, it reveals that a lack of sleep and activity during pregnancy can increase the risk of giving birth prematurely.

1. Sleep and Activity During Pregnancy
It is widely understood that pregnancy impacts women and their bodies in many ways and that discomfort, fatigue, and sleep disturbances are commonplace throughout pregnancy.

Hormonal changes, increased blood volume and the weight of carrying a growing baby can all contribute to sleep disruptions and make it challenging for expectant mothers to maintain a regular exercise routine.

However, recent research has shed light on the profound impact that sleep and activity patterns have on pregnancy, and in particular how the lack of both of these could increase the risk of pre-term birth.

Preterm or premature birth can be defined as a baby being born early, before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Estimated to affect 10.5% of births in the United States and even higher rates in several other regions, it can also result in a range of long- and short-term health complications for newborn babies.

2. The Research
This most recent study, led by researchers at Stanford School of Medicine, has unveiled a newfound connection between sleep and activity patterns during pregnancy and the risk of giving birth prematurely.

Using data collected from wearable devices worn by over 1,000 pregnant women, the research utilized a machine learning algorithm to analyze changes in sleep and physical activity patterns throughout pregnancy and the resultant impact on preterm birthrate.

3. The Results of the Research
While ‘normal’ pregnancy is characterized by gradual changes in sleep and physical activity, the study found that expectant mothers whose sleep and activity patterns didn’t align with the typical trajectory for their stage of pregnancy were at a significantly higher risk of preterm birth.

In fact, the machine-learning model used in the research revealed that if a woman’s sleep and activity were better than usual for her stage of pregnancy, her risk of preterm delivery decreased by 48%. Conversely, if her sleep and activity were worse than the norm, her risk of preterm birth increased by 44%.

This discovery provides valuable insights into the prevention of premature births, making this research a potential game-changer in improving prenatal care.

4. Next Steps and Need for Further Research
While the findings of this research are undoubtedly promising, further studies are needed to understand the full implications of the discoveries.

By identifying sleep and activity patterns that reduce the risk of preterm birth, researchers can develop interventions to help expectant mothers adopt healthier sleep and exercise habits. This, in turn, could prove to be a low-risk and effective method of reducing preterm births.

As this research progresses, the hope is that interventions aimed at enhancing sleep and physical activity during pregnancy will continue to evolve, offering increasingly sophisticated and science-backed advice and guidance for expectant mothers.