The Role of Circadian Rhythms in Postpartum Sleep and Mood Journal Articles uri icon

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abstract

  • Women often experience sleep disturbances and worsening sleep quality throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Circadian rhythms are closely linked to sleep problems and mood disorders. This systematic review provides a summary of studies of circadian rhythms and associated sleep problems and maternal distress, among postpartum women. Articles were idenitfied through a systematic literature search. Circadian rhythm disturbances were strongly correlated with depression, social factors and mothers`s exposure to light postpartum. Future research should include larger, prospective studies as well as randomized controlled trials for measuring effect of circadian rhythm interventions on postpartum mental health outcomes.

authors

  • Gallaher, Kari Grethe Hjorthaug
  • Slyepchenko, Anastasiya
  • Frey, Benicio
  • Urstad, Kristin
  • Dørheim, Signe K

publication date

  • September 2018