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Pregnancy is typically a time of joy and excitement for the parents-to-be. However, changes in the demographic and anthropomorphic aspects of childbearing women, such as poor diet and obesity have resulted in an increase in sleep disordered breathing developing in pregnancy. Emerging evidence suggests that OSA in pregnancy is strongly associated with poor health outcomes for both the mother and child. This session will describe and detail how and why pregnant women are at an increased risk for OSA and what the potential health consequences are for maternal and infant health.

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to: 

1. Describe how and why more women are developing OSA in their childbearing years;
2. Discuss the evidence as to what having OSA in pregnancy means for maternal and infant outcomes; and
3. Understand how healthcare providers can proactively facilitate early identification of OSA and suggest treatment options.

Dentists screening or treating patients with sleep-related breathing disorders.

Michele L. Okun, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Research at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Director of the Sleep and Biobehavioral Health Research Laboratory. As one of the leading researchers on sleep during the perinatal period, her work investigates how sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, augment risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes via neuro-immune and neuro-endocrine pathways. Dr. Okun’s work has shown that poor sleep quality and insomnia significantly increase the risk for postpartum depression and preterm birth. Currently, she is examining behavioral interventions to mitigate that risk. In addition to studying perinatal women, Dr. Okun is evaluating how cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia influences cardiometabolic indices in post-menopausal women.  Dr. Okun is funded by NIH, has served as a peer reviewer for over two dozen journals, and has authored or co-authored over five dozen scientific articles and book chapters.   

No potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Content for this lecture was last reviewed and approved by the AADSM Director of Education, Dr. Trish Braga, on October 27, 2022. Dr. Braga does not has any relevant financial interest/other relationships to disclose.

Original record date: October 27, 2022
Expiration date: None

This educational offering was funded exclusively by the AADSM.

For questions regarding the content of this program or for technical assistance, contact the AADSM at info@aadsm.org or 630-686-9875.

The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to ADA CERP at www.ADA.org/cerp. The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credit(s).