Outcomes are reported from an investigation into abnormal sleep duration and daytime sleepiness during pregnancy among Māori and non-Māori women versus the general population, and the influence of sociodemographic factors. Self-reported total sleep time (TST) over a 24-hour period, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores and sociodemographic information were obtained from nullipara and multipara women aged 20–46 years at 35–37 weeks of pregnancy (358 Māori and 717 non-Māori), and from women in the general population (381 Māori and 577 non-Māori). In analyses accounting for ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, and employment status, pregnant women were found to have on average 30 minutes less TST than women in the general population. The distribution of TST was also greater in pregnant women, who were 3 times more likely to sleep for ≤6 hours and 1.9 times more likely to sleep >9 h. Pregnant women >30 years of age experienced greater age-related declines in TST. Pregnant women were 1.8 times more likely to report excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Abnormal sleep duration was more likely among women identifying as Māori, those who were unemployed, and those doing night work. EDS was also more likely among Māori women and women who worked at night.
