Gestational diabetes
In studies, gestational diabetes is associated with sleep-related breathing disorders. If you have it, also tell your pregnancy care team about new or worsening snoring, observed pauses in breathing or unusual sleepiness.
At every stage of life
Sleep and women’s health
Sleep deserves a place in your healthcare. Persistent symptoms can be discussed with your doctor, midwife or gynaecologist, and then with a sleep physician if needed.
Sleep apnoea can affect women too
Fatigue, insomnia, frequent awakenings, sleepiness or headaches on waking may accompany sleep apnoea, sometimes without obvious snoring. These signs have several possible causes: the overall pattern and how it changes guide assessment.
Menstrual cycle
Menstrual migraine and sleep
Menstrual migraines are migraines linked to the time of a period. Hormonal changes may contribute to attacks; too little or too much sleep can also be triggers.
A diary combining periods, migraine attacks and sleep times may help identify links. Migraine linked to the menstrual cycle alone is not enough to suggest sleep apnoea: any night-time breathing signs or persistent fatigue are assessed separately, as part of overall care.
During pregnancy
Gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia
Pregnancy can contribute to the development or worsening of sleep apnoea. Studies observe an association between sleep-related breathing disorders and certain pregnancy complications. This does not mean that sleep apnoea alone explains these complications.
Gestational hypertension
High blood pressure developing during pregnancy may coexist with sleep apnoea. Discussing it helps determine whether a sleep assessment would be useful alongside blood pressure monitoring.
Pre-eclampsia
An association with sleep-related breathing disorders is also observed. Pre-eclampsia requires specific obstetric care; a sleep assessment fits within the follow-up planned by that team.
How can you discuss it?
Tell your doctor or midwife about night-time symptoms and any previously diagnosed sleep apnoea. Assessment is offered according to your situation, rather than routinely for everyone. If you use CPAP, your treating doctor may adapt the follow-up of your CPAP treatment during and after pregnancy.
After birth
Sleep, exhaustion and postnatal depression
Nights interrupted by a baby’s needs can make it difficult to recover. However, persistent sadness, loss of enjoyment, significant anxiety or overwhelming exhaustion deserve a prompt discussion with your doctor or midwife.
Sleep problems may accompany postnatal depression. A sleep assessment can complement support; it does not replace mental healthcare. You can ask for help as soon as you feel you need it.
Perimenopause and menopause
When your nights change
Hormonal changes may be accompanied by insomnia and fatigue. The risk of sleep apnoea increases during and after the menopause; its symptoms can overlap with other difficulties at this stage of life.
Unrefreshing sleep, repeated awakenings, sleepiness, headaches on waking or observed pauses in breathing should be mentioned. An assessment helps investigate the causes and choose suitable care.
Book an appointmentConsultations in FrenchPrepare for your consultation
Note your sleep times, awakenings, daytime fatigue, observations from those close to you and changes related to your menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Bring useful reports and a list of your current medicines and other treatments.
Complete my family sleep historyFurther information
- Sleep Apnea and Women — NIH / NHLBI
- Association Between Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
- Migraine and triggers — Assurance Maladie (in French)
- Baby blues and postnatal depression — Assurance Maladie (in French)
General information prepared on 6 October 2026.
