Sleep in multiple pregnancy: breathing patterns, oxygenation, and periodic leg movements.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to study whether multiple pregnancy at the third trimester predisposes to breathing disturbances and arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturation during sleep.


METHODS
Nocturnal breathing, oxygenation, and movement activity were studied in 10 mothers: 8 with twins, 1 with triplets, and 1 with quadruplets.


RESULTS
No obstructive and few central sleep apnea episodes were observed. Four subjects had episodes of increased respiratory resistance, but only one, the mother with quadruplets, was significantly affected. Arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation was always maintained above 90%. Periodic leg movements were present in all mothers, with a frequency range of 3.7 to 49.7 movements per hour.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of the large uterus in multiple pregnancy, nocturnal breathing and oxygenation are well maintained. Increased motor activity and frequent awakenings suggest poor sleep quality, which may be further compromised by intensive periodic leg movements.
Nikkola
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.
Ekblad
U
U
Ekholm
E
E
Mikola
H
H
Polo
O
O
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010507:Periodicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000502:physiology*; D012119:Respiration; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D012890:Sleep
D010100:Oxygen