Pregnancy is one of the most significant physiological transformations the human body undergoes, so it makes sense that biometrics and behaviours can look different than usual. Hormonal shifts, increased blood volume, cardiac output, and metabolism can all influence sleep, resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), body temperature, and respiratory rate. These changes can be subtle, but they can significantly impact how a person feels throughout pregnancy. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Chris Curry, OB/GYN, physician and clinical director of Women’s Health at Oura, shared pregnancy changes every woman should be aware of.
First trimester
According to Dr Curry, sleep can be quite different in the first trimester. Research showed that participants spent more time in bed (more than 30 minutes more per night), but only about 15 of those minutes in bed resulted in additional sleep. “There are a few things known about early pregnancy that may contribute to this, like nausea and frequent trips to the bathroom making it harder to stay asleep at night,” highlighted Dr Curry.
