The belief that poor sleep is inevitable during pregnancy has been challenged by new research showing that cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) can improve sleep patterns and address postpartum depression. Researchers from UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses, along with the University of Calgary, found that providing CBTi during pregnancy significantly reduces postpartum depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of early intervention for infant and parental mental health. Dr. Elizabeth Keys, an Assistant Professor at UBCO’s School of Nursing and study co-author, emphasizes the role of addressing sleep problems like insomnia in improving mental health outcomes for families.
CBTi is a therapeutic intervention that helps identify thoughts, behaviors, and sleep patterns contributing to insomnia. Treatment involves challenging misconceptions, reframing thoughts, and adjusting habits to enhance sleep quality. Dr. Keys notes that CBTi is considered the gold standard for treating insomnia and has consistently shown improvements in depressive symptoms. The treatment effects are comparable to antidepressant medications in adults but with fewer side effects, making it a preferred option for pregnant individuals. In a study involving sixty-two women with insomnia and depressive symptoms, those who received CBTi during pregnancy experienced improved sleep and reduced postpartum depressive symptoms.
The study’s results suggest that effective insomnia treatment during pregnancy could act as a protective factor against postpartum depression. Dr. Keys stresses the need to make this treatment more accessible to pregnant individuals nationwide to enhance sleep health equity. The research underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers in Canada and UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Dr. Keys, along with Dr. Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, a Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Intersectionality at UBC Vancouver, lead the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Sleep Equity Reimagined team and are members of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium.
The findings contribute to a growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of treating insomnia during pregnancy for various outcomes. By exploring ways to increase access to CBTi for pregnant individuals, researchers aim to improve sleep health equity and overall well-being. Dr. Keys emphasizes the need to expand the availability of this treatment option to help individuals cope with sleep problems and prevent postpartum depression. The research also sheds light on the importance of addressing mental health issues early on to support the well-being of both parents and children.
