Many women experience some degree of sleep disturbance during pregnancy. For a significant number of women, the sleep disruption may be so severe as to require some type of intervention. In a previous post, we discussed the use of different types of medications to treat insomnia during pregnancy. While these drugs are highly effective, many women with sleep problems inquire about the use of “natural” agents, such as melatonin, during pregnancy.
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland which is involved in regulating normal sleep-wake cycles. It is also sold over the counter as a dietary supplement and is a popular natural remedy for sleep problems. Because it is not classified as a drug or hormone, its production is not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration. The dose used in most melatonin preparations is higher than what the body normally produces. A typical dose of melatonin (1 to 3 mg) elevates blood melatonin levels up to 20 times normal levels.
When it comes to pregnancy, natural does not necessarily mean safer. Although melatonin is indeed “natural” and is normally produced by the body, the amount delivered by various over-the-counter preparations typically exceeds the quantities normally produced by the body. As is the case with most supplements, we know very little about the impact these high levels of hormones may have on the developing fetus. Thus, we typically advise women with sleep problems to use medications with a better characterized reproductive safety profile.
That said, there is some very interesting research going on with regard to melatonin and pregnancy. Most of this research comes from animal studies, where it has been shown that melatonin can reduce oxidative stress, acting as an oxidant and scavenging free radicals. Interestingly, the placenta produces melatonin and this source of melatonin is thought to be important to a normal, healthy pregnancy. In animal studies, it has been shown that supplementation with melatonin decreases the risk of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Studies of melatonin in humans with IUGR and pre-eclampsia are now in their earliest phases. Preliminary studies also suggest that melatonin supplementation may have a beneficial effect on fertilization rates and embryo quality, likely due to a reduction in oxidative damage.
Animal studies have also demonstrated the importance of melatonin in fetal development. During pregnancy, night-time concentrations of melatonin increase steadily after 24 weeks of gestation. Melatonin receptors are present throughout the developing fetus from the earliest stages. There is solid evidence that melatonin is neuroprotective and plays an important role in training circadian rhythms in the developing fetus; however, melatonin may have other important actions outside of the brain.
Hopefully these newer studies will soon yield more information on the reproductive safety of melatonin. So for now, we advise women with sleep problems to use medications with a better characterized reproductive safety profile.
Ruta Nonacs, MD PhD
Alers NO, Jenkin G, Miller SL, Wallace EM. Antenatal melatonin as an antioxidant in human pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction–a phase I pilot clinical trial: study protocol. BMJ Open. 2013 Dec 23;3(12):e004141.
Hobson SR, Lim R, Gardiner EE, Alers NO, Wallace EM. Phase I pilot clinical trial of antenatal maternally administered melatonin to decrease the level of oxidative stress in human pregnancies affected by pre-eclampsia (PAMPR): study protocol. BMJ Open. 2013 Sep 20;3(9):e003788.
Seko LM, Moroni RM, Leitao VM, Teixeira DM, Nastri CO, Martins WP. Melatonin supplementation during controlled ovarian stimulation for women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Fertil Steril. 2014 Jan;101(1):154-161.
Voiculescu S, Zygouropoulos N, Zahiu C, Zagrean A. Role of melatonin in embryo fetal development. J Med Life. 2014 Oct-Dec;7(4):488-492.
Great article.
Any updates on this?
Yes, amy updates?
Nothing major, but we will be updating this post in the near future.
It doesn’t say what to use to sleep
The only sleep aid i have in my house right now is melatonin. Aside from aleve pm which i can’t take. I get to sleep fine at first but once I wake up it takes me forever to get back to sleep. No money until pay day.
Stay tuned. We are working on an update.
Ive been taking melatonin supplements for a few years now. I just found out I am about 6 weeks pregnant. I am worried because I used to over medicate a bit..