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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 1

Category: Perinatal Mental Health

Poster Session 1

(171) The Relationship Between Postpartum Mental Health and Sleep Quality

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM  
Objective:
60% of maternal deaths occur in the postpartum (PP) period, with postpartum depression (PPD) a major risk factor. While the PP period is six to twelve weeks, nearly 40% of patients are diagnosed with PPD between six months and one year. Poor quality sleep is associated with the development of PP stress and PPD, however has not been assessed in a longitudinal period.  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between PPD, stress and sleep quality.

Study Design:
This study was a prospective survey-based study at a single health care system, recruited in the delivery admission. Starting immediately PP patients received the “Perceived Stress Scale” (PSS) and “Patient Health Questionnaire-9” (PHQ-9) monthly until 6 months postpartum. Baseline sleep quality and sleep quality at six months was assessed via the “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index” (PSQI). Delivery and sociodemographic information were collected through the electronic medical record. Association between mild PPD (PHQ-9 > 5), stress (PSS >14) and sleep quality was examined using chi2 analysis. Spearman rank correlation analysis was completed to analyze the association with sleep quality at 0 and 6 months and monthly depression PHQ-9 and PSS scores.

Results:
36 patients were included in this pilot study. Most patients identified as white (72.2%). 88.9% of patients had private insurance, 83.3% were married, and 45% were multiparous. At baseline, the prevalence of mild-severe PPD and high stress was higher among those with poor sleep compared to good sleep (PPD, 52.4% vs 14.3%; PSS 90.5% vs 57.1%). Similar trends were seen at 6 months with PPD (53.9% vs 0%) and PSS (92.3% vs 33.3%). All p-values were > 0.05. Examining across 6 months, there was a moderate to strong correlation between poor sleep quality at 6 months and PHQ-9 score peaking at three months PP (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.84, p < 0.01).

Conclusion:
There is a strong correlation between PPD score, PP stress score and poor sleep quality. This represents another possible avenue for screening and intervention such as increasing support longitudinally in the PP period.