The Dangers of Snoring During Pregnancy

 Why do pregnant women snore more?

Womens’ bodies go through so many physiological changes during pregnancy that they don’t think twice if at some point they begin snoring.

 Weight gain can easily lead to larger necks and tissue surrounding the throat (it can even be worse for women who were overweight prior to pregnancy). This narrows the air passageways and causes snoring.

 Maybe you were already a snorer before pregnancy, or maybe you started snoring during your pregnancy. Either way, DON’T ignore it! Mention it to your doctor.

 Snoring during pregnancy could be a cause of preeclampsia

Even though snoring is common during pregnancy you could be at greater risk of high blood pressure and preeclampsia.

 Preeclampsia is a combination of high blood pressure and high amounts of protein in your urine. Preeclampsia can start after the fifth month of pregnancy, or during the third trimester. It causes blood pressure to increase and the presence of protein in the mother’s urine which can affect the placenta, the liver and the brain.

 If left untreated preeclampsia can lead to seizures. Preeclampsia can be life-threatening to both the mother and her unborn child. In fact, preeclampsia is the second leading cause of death among pregnant women. It can cause seizures, and other fetal complications including babies born prematurely, low birth weights and stillbirths.

 A major study completed by the University of Michigan late last year shows that women who start snoring after they became pregnant have a greater risk of high blood pressure and face significant cardiovascular health. This study was comprised of 1,700 women and found that 25% started snoring frequently once they became pregnant. One third of them were snoring by their third trimester. Their risk of high blood pressure doubled when compared to women who don’t snore. Nine percent reported chronic snoring which can be a sign of sleep apnea or sleep disordered breathing.

Sleep apnea during pregnancy and possible complications

Snoring can also be a sign of sleep apnea including breathing interruptions where you actually stop breathing and gasp for air (you know that familiar snorting sound?). For pregnant women, this cuts off oxygen to the heart, the brain and development of the baby. Just so you understand the severity of this, a separate study shows that babies born to mothers with sleep apnea were at increased risk for admission to the intensive neonatal care unit.

How to stop snoring while pregnant: keeping you and your baby healthy

By the way, there are remedies for pregnant women who snore:

• Sleep on your side, not your back.
• Get a pillow that slightly elevates your head
• Try a nasal strip
• Try using a warm mist humidifier in your bedroom
• Try a CPAP machine (perhaps the most effective treatment)

The most important way to stop snoring while pregnant? Talk to your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a sleep study for a more thorough evaluation. If there was ever a time to do it in the interest of better health, for you and your baby, the time is now.

 We think the topic of snoring during pregnancy deserves much more awareness and attention. If you’re pregnant and snore or experience sleep apnea, tell your doctor. Your doctor may not ask you about it and you may not think it’s important enough to tell your doctor. But it is!