This is a prospective longitudinal cohort study whereby pregnant individuals are asked to complete an 8-day testing protocol to measure their sleep and cardiovascular health at two timepoints during pregnancy.
The goal of this observational study is to examine the effect of sleep disordered breathing on the health of the heart and blood vessels of the mother during pregnancy. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Is sleep disordered breathing associated with impaired the function of the heart and blood vessels in pregnancy? * Is higher levels of physical activity associated with a reduced risk of sleep disordered breathing in pregnancy? Participants will complete an 8 day long study protocol at two time points during pregnancy (20-24 weeks gestation and 28-36 weeks gestation). During each testing period they will be asked to: * Complete one night of at-home sleep testing and and one night of overnight vital signs monitoring (ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate monitoring devices) * Wear two accelerometers and complete a 7-day sleep log * Complete a set of questionnaires * Visit the laboratory for a fasted blood draw and ultrasound assessment of their cardiovascular health (resting heart rate and blood pressure, flow mediated dilation and pulse wave velocity tests) Participants will also be asked to complete a short follow-up survey in the postpartum period.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
109
Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
RECRUITINGEndothelial Function
The investigators will assess endothelial function using flow mediated dilation
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Cardiovascular Function - arterial stiffness with pulse wave velocity
The investigators will measure arterial stiffness using pulse wave velocity of the carotid and femoral arteries
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Cardiovascular Function - arterial stiffness with beat-by-beat blood pressure
The investigators will measure arterial stiffness using beat-by-beat blood pressure from the finger.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Cardiovascular Function - ambulatory blood pressure
Blood pressure will be collected every 30 minutes during a 24-hour period using an ambulatory blood pressure monitor.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Cardiovascular Function - resting blood pressure
Beat-by-beat blood pressure will be collected at rest.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Cardiovascular Function - heart rate
Heart rate will be assessed by 3-lead ECG collected during sleep and at rest.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Cardiovascular Function - arrythmias
Presence of arrythmias will be assessed by 3-lead ECG collected during sleep and at rest.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
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Maternal outcome - dietary intake
Participants will complete two 3-day food logs.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Fasted blood sample - blood viscosity
Fasted blood samples will be analyzed using a viscometer.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Fasted blood sample - presence of inflammatory markers
Fasted blood samples will be analyzed for C-reactive protein.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Fasted blood sample - sex hormone levels
Fasted blood samples will be analyzed for sex hormone levels (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone).
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Fasted blood sample - metabolic
Fasted blood samples will be analyzed for glucose and insulin concentration.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks gestation
Maternal outcomes - delivery
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding delivery and pregnancy complications (gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia).
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - infant sex
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding infant sex.
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - birth weight
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding infant birth weight.
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - birth length
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding birth length.
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - gestational age
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding gestational age at delivery.
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - birth mode
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding birth mode.
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - apgar score
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding infant apgar score at delivery.
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Fetal outcomes at delivery - time spent in NICU
Participants will provide the investigators with information regarding infant time spent in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Time frame: 2 months postpartum
Maternal outcome - amount of activity
Participants will wear two accelerometers to measure the amount of physical activity performed.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks
Maternal outcome - Mood - State-Trait Anxiety Inventory
Participants will complete the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory to measure mood.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks
Maternal outcome - Mood - Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
Participants will complete the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to measure mood.
Time frame: 20-24 weeks and 28-36 weeks