DR CLARE LADYMAN

“I could cope so much better if I could just get a good night’s sleep”: The importance of sleep in the perinatal period.

There is clear evidence of the bidirectional association between depression and poor or insufficient sleep. Given the high proportion of expectant and new mothers unable to consistently achieve healthy sleep and that maternal depression can have severe and enduring adverse consequences for both mother, child, family members and the community, it is vital to support women with their sleep during this significant life stage. Dr Ladyman will review findings demonstrating the strong link between perinatal sleep and depression, the importance of investigating multiple dimensions of sleep, and the value of early detection and intervention.