Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help with Pregnancy Insomnia and Postpartum Depression?
Many new parents know the struggle of sleepless nights, and for some, this exhaustion can even lead to postpartum depression. But what if there was a way to improve sleep during pregnancy and reduce the risk of postpartum depression? Recent research suggests that it’s possible through cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi).
Study Finds Promising Results
A new study conducted by researchers from UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses, as well as the University of Calgary, discovered that delivering CBTi during pregnancy significantly reduces postpartum depressive symptoms after childbirth. This groundbreaking finding offers hope to expectant mothers struggling with sleep disturbances and the potential onset of postpartum depression.
“Early intervention is crucial for infant and parental mental health,” says Dr. Elizabeth Keys, an Assistant Professor in UBCO’s School of Nursing and a study co-author. “Our research explores how addressing sleep problems like insomnia can lead to better mental health outcomes for families, helping parents and their children thrive.”
What is CBTi and How Does it Help?
CBTi is a therapeutic intervention designed to identify and address the thoughts, behaviors, and sleep patterns that contribute to insomnia. The treatment involves challenging or reframing negative thoughts about sleep and restructuring habits to promote better sleep quality.
“CBTi is the gold standard for the treatment of insomnia and has consistently been shown to improve symptoms of depression,” says Dr. Keys. “Its treatment effects are similar to antidepressant medications among adults, but with fewer side effects, and is therefore often preferred by pregnant individuals.”
Study Details
Sixty-two women assessed for insomnia and depressive symptoms participated in the study. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group receiving CBTi, while the other half formed a control group.
“We found that CBTi during pregnancy significantly improved sleep and reduced postpartum depressive symptoms for participants,” explains Dr. Keys. “These are enormously encouraging results for anyone that has struggled in those early weeks and months with their newborns.”
Addressing Sleep Equity
This study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the benefits of treating insomnia during pregnancy. The research emphasizes the potential of early intervention in promoting not only better sleep but also overall mental wellbeing for both mothers and families.
“It’s time to explore how we can make this treatment more accessible to pregnant individuals across the country to improve sleep health equity,” Dr. Keys states.
This finding highlights the collaboration between researchers across Canada and UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses. Dr. Elizabeth Keys is based at UBCO, while Dr. Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, a Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Intersectionality, is located at UBC Vancouver. Both are lead investigators on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Sleep Equity Reimagined team and members of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium.
Want to know more about CBTi and its potential benefits during pregnancy?
Talk to your doctor or midwife about whether CBTi might be right for you.