What sleep disturbances are common during pregnancy?

• A. Hormonal changes, pressure on the bladder, and discomfort cause insomnia; sleep-disordered breathing risk may increase in later pregnancy
• B. Improved sleep quality
• C. No change in sleep patterns
• D. Decreased need for sleep

Answer: (A)

During pregnancy, sleep is often disrupted by a mix of hormonal and physical changes. Hormonal shifts can affect sleep regulation and lead to more awakenings and lighter sleep. The growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, causing frequent urination at night. Discomfort from back pain, heartburn, leg cramps, and fetal movements can also wake you more often and make it hard to stay asleep. As pregnancy progresses, nasal congestion and airway swelling can worsen breathing during sleep, and weight gain increases the risk of sleep-disordered breathing or obstructive sleep apnea. All of these factors combine to make insomnia and poor sleep common in pregnancy.

The other options don’t fit because sleep tends to worsen, not improve, and the need for sleep doesn’t suddenly decrease; and sleep patterns often change rather than staying the same, especially with nocturnal awakenings and fragmentation.