One of the things pregnant women struggle with is ‘sleep’. In the early stages of pregnancy, drowsiness is caused by hormonal changes, but when the stomach is full, it is difficult to get a good night’s sleep no matter what position you take.
First of all, a study came out to avoid the habit of looking at your smartphone or turning on the lights before going to bed. Exposure to strong light has been shown to increase the risk of developing ‘gestational diabetes’. If you work overtime frequently, there is a risk of miscarriage.
◇ “Blocking light before going to bed is an easy way to prevent gestational diabetes”… Overtime should be avoided
A research team led by Kim Min-ji, professor of neurology at Northwestern University School of Medicine, USA, published a study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology on the 10th (local time) that pregnant women who are exposed to light for a longer period of time for three hours before going to bed are more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy. announced.
It is known that light exposed at night suppresses the production of the hormone melatonin secreted at night so that you can sleep soundly. Melatonin is secreted from the brain and regulates the body’s 24-hour biological clock. The research team conducted an experiment to find out how suppression of melatonin production affects the development of diabetes in pregnant women.
From 2011 to 2013, 741 pregnant women in the United States between 15 and 28 weeks of pregnancy were asked to wear a light sensor on their wrist and keep a sleep diary for one week. Participants were divided into three groups according to the amount of time they were exposed to light three hours before going to bed.
As a result, the risk of developing diabetes was high in pregnant women who were exposed to strong light 3 hours before bedtime. Sixteen of 247 pregnant women who were exposed to dim light 1.7 to 2.2 hours before bedtime developed gestational diabetes. Among all participants, 12 women who were exposed to light 2.2 to 2.6 hours before bedtime and 3 women who were exposed to light 2.6 to 3 hours before bedtime were also affected.
Citizens pass in front of an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in downtown Seoul on the afternoon of the 23rd. 2023.2.23/News 1
The research team confirmed that exposure to dim light from electronic devices, such as sleeping lights or smartphones, increases the risk of developing diabetes. Gestational diabetes is known to increase maternal complications and increase maternal risk of heart disease and dementia. Children are also likely to develop chronic diseases as they grow up. Professor Kim said, “You should dim dim lights or light-emitting devices such as smartphones three hours before bedtime. If possible, it should be removed, and if it is not possible, at least the screen should be darkened or the blue light should be turned off with night mode.”
Studies have consistently shown that frequent overtime work after pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage. This is also believed to be due to a decrease in melatonin secretion. Melatonin not only regulates the circadian rhythm, but is also secreted from peripheral organs such as the placenta and ovaries, and plays an important role in maintaining the function of the placenta.
A research team led by Dr. Louise Becktruf of Möllenberry and Fredericksbury Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, analyzed data from a 6-year survey of 22,744 women working in public service institutions such as hospitals and published the results in the international journal ‘Occupational-Environmental Medicine’ online in 2019. has been published on the board.
Of these, 10,47 worked overtime several days a week between the 3rd and 21st weeks of pregnancy, and 12,697 did not. Women who worked overtime for two or more days in any one week between 8 and 22 weeks of pregnancy had a 32% higher risk of miscarriage in the following week than women who did not work overtime.
The research team explained that they took into account other variables that could affect miscarriage when figuring out the study results. “The possibility of miscarriage increased according to the number of overtime shifts during the week and the number of days the overtime shift continued,” he explained.
A sleep expert said that pregnant women inevitably experience hormonal changes, and that it is important to maintain a consistent sleep and wake rhythm. It is normal to sleep a lot in the early stages of pregnancy, so it is better to take several short naps within 30 minutes rather than forcing yourself to take naps.”
Choi Ji-ho, director of the Sleep Medicine Center at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital (Professor of Ear, Nose and Throat), said, “However, you should not sleep for a long time or fall asleep in the early evening. It is appropriate to sleep for 30 minutes to 1 hour more than the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults.”
Director Choi continued, “It is difficult to fall asleep if exposed to bright light until bedtime, so make your bedroom dark to activate melatonin secretion.
(Seoul = News 1)