Sleep disorders in perinatal women

Insufficient sleep is common in the general population, and can result from environmental and psychosocial factors, medical and psychiatric disorders, and sleep disorders, such as insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep apnoea and restless legs. Women are particularly at risk for sleep disorders, and complaints of sleep disturbance are more prevalent among women than men across the life span. During the perinatal period, many common sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea or restless legs may be exacerbated, or in the case of insomnia or narcolepsy, treatment options may change. In addition, the role of circadian rhythms in fertility and perinatal health is just beginning to be appreciated. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the unique aspects of diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders during the perinatal period.