Better Sleep for New Moms: Study Finds Insomnia Therapy Helps Fight Postpartum Depression

Many people think that poor sleep during pregnancy is just a part of the experience, but new research shows that treating insomnia can make a big difference. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) during pregnancy not only improves sleep but also helps reduce postpartum depression.

Researchers from UBC’s Okanagan and Vancouver campuses and the University of Calgary found that providing CBTi to pregnant women significantly lowers symptoms of depression after childbirth. Dr. Elizabeth Keys, an Assistant Professor in UBCO’s School of Nursing and a co-author of the study, emphasizes, “Early intervention is crucial for infant and parental mental health.”

The study explores how solving sleep issues like insomnia can lead to better mental health for families.

Dr. Keys states, “Our research shows how addressing sleep problems can help parents and their children thrive.”

CBTi helps people identify thoughts, behaviors, and sleep habits that contribute to insomnia. The treatment involves challenging wrong beliefs about sleep and changing habits to improve 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, making it a preferred choice for pregnant individuals.”

In the study, 62 women struggling with insomnia and depressive symptoms participated. Half were given CBTi, while the other half did not receive this intervention. Dr. Keys explained, “We found that CBTi during pregnancy significantly improved sleep and reduced postpartum depressive symptoms for participants.”

She added, “These are enormously encouraging results for anyone that has struggled in those early weeks and months with their newborns.” The findings suggest that effective treatment for insomnia during pregnancy can help protect against postpartum depression.

Dr. Keys believes it’s essential to make this treatment more accessible. “It’s time to explore how we can make this treatment more accessible to pregnant individuals across the country to improve sleep health equity.”

The research highlights teamwork among researchers across Canada, including Dr. Lianne M. Tomfohr-Madsen, a Canada Research Chair in Mental Health and Intersectionality at UBC Vancouver. Together, Dr. Keys and Dr. Tomfohr-Madsen lead the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Sleep Equity Reimagined team and are members of the Canadian Sleep Research Consortium.