Many people assume poor sleep during pregnancy and the weeks after giving birth is simply part of the experience. The physical changes of pregnancy—and the demands of caring for a newborn—can make rest feel out of reach. But research shows sleep does far more than fight fatigue. It plays a direct role in protecting heart and metabolic health.

“Sleep disruption is often treated as an inconvenience rather than something with serious repercussions for maternal health,” says Iona Palmer, a medical student in the laboratory of Helen Collins, PhD, in the Center for Cardiometabolic Science at the University of Louisville. Palmer presented her research from the Collins lab at the 2026 American Physiology Summit.  

How pregnancy changes sleep

Sleep patterns and daily activity rhythms shift considerably during mid-pregnancy and in the early weeks after giving birth. Those shifts are closely linked to changes in heart growth and how the body uses energy. Palmer and colleagues from the Collins lab found that when sleep was disrupted further, as happens with shift workers who stay up at night and sleep during the day, the effects on the heart were more pronounced.

Why sleep matters for your heart

The body resets and repairs itself during sleep. Without enough quality rest, stress hormones rise and the nervous system’s fight-or-flight response activates. Blood pressure may not drop at night the way it normally should.

Over time, these changes can strain the heart and blood vessels and increase inflammation. Poor sleep is closely associated with high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, weight gain and high cholesterol. All of these factors can raise the risk of heart disease later in life.

Why this research matters

Scientists are still working to learn exactly how sleep loss during pregnancy affects long-term cardiovascular health. “Because sleep issues in pregnancy are often dismissed as ‘normal,’ they haven’t been studied as rigorously as other risk factors,” Palmer explains.

Some strategies that may help pregnant people better rest include keeping regular bedtimes and wake times, creating a calming bedtime routine, limiting screen time before bed and avoiding night shift schedules when possible.

 “Sleep disruption during pregnancy may be more than just uncomfortable— it may significantly affect how the heart adapts during this time, with a possible lifetime of maternal health consequences, if disrupted,” Palmer says. “Sleep should be treated as a health priority, not a luxury.”