In late pregnancy, women experience more bad dreams and nightmares than non-pregnant women, even though overall dream recall is similar between the two groups. Among 57 third-trimester pregnant women and 59 non-pregnant controls, 21% of pregnant women reported nightmare frequency exceeding moderately severe pathology (more than one per week), compared to 7% of non-pregnant women. Pregnant women also reported lower sleep quality and more night awakenings. Higher recall of bad dreams and nightmares correlated with lower sleep quality in the pregnant group. The findings suggest that increased dysphoric dream imagery may contribute to impaired sleep during late pregnancy.
A psychotherapeutic treatment for nightmares, adapted from imagery rehearsal therapy for 6- to 11-year-old children, was tested with ten child-mother dyads over three sessions and eight weeks. Participation, which included contact with a clinician and keeping a prospective dream log, was associated with decreases in unpleasant dreams frequency, nightmare distress, and manifest anxiety. Providing educational information about nightmares contributed to this positive effect. Drawing modified versions of nightmares for one month was associated with further reductions in nightmare distress and anxiety but not with changes in unpleasant dreams frequency. Follow-ups at three and six months posttreatment suggest maintained effects.