Labour Profile and Pregnancy Outcome of Pregnant Women with Sleep Disorders in Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sleep disorders in pregnant women are of an increasing Public Health concern. In pregnancy, an ample sleep is required to nurture the progress of the fetus as well as the energy reserve for labour and parturition process. Objective: This study assessed the labour profile and outcomes among expectant mothers with self-reported sleep disorders and those who did not report sleep disorders at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA). Methodology: Participants were recruited using a random sampling technique. A structured pretested questionnaire was used to obtain information on their socio-demographic indices and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale for expectant mothers. Data analysis was done using International Business Machine Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 22. Descriptive statistics was used for socio-demographic characteristics. Continuous variables were expressed as Mean ± Standard deviation (SD). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Chi square test (X²) were used for comparison of continuous and categorical variables respectively. Significance level for this study was set at p <0.05. Results: Comparison of the socio-demographic characteristics, gestational age and labour outcomes of the women were not statistically different between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in the head circumference of babies born by women in the study group compared to the control group (34.1±1.7 versus 34.7±1.6, p 0.03). Conclusion: There was no statistically significant association between the labour profile and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women who reported sleep disorders, although they had significantly smaller head circumference.