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Snoring During Pregnancy

A pregnant woman who begins snoring may actually be suffering from sleep apnea.

Pregnancy carries the woman through many physical and emotional changes, many caused by changes in hormonal levels usually the dominant hormone during pregnancy—estrogen. The growth of estrogen levels cause relaxation of the muscles in the neck area. In addition, added fats accumulating in the neck area cause snoring levels to increases. Episodes of snoring are more common during the final trimester. By sleeping on one’s side, a preferred sleeping position during pregnancy, the snoring problem is usually brought under control. Since sleeping on ones back during the latter stages of pregnancy is uncomfortable and may be dangerous to the baby’s health, a side position is both more comfortable and more healthful.

Sleep apnea during pregnancy is characterized by excessive or chronic snoring. There are episodes of breathing pauses for about ten seconds at a time leading to oxygen-deprivation. Pre-eclampsia which occurs only during pregnancy is associated with hypertension, proteinuria, and edema. If the woman has any or all of symptoms including vomiting, abnormal liver function, blurred vision and headaches and daytime sleepiness it could be an indication of pre-eclampsia. Having one of the symptoms only is not considered to be an indication of pre-eclampsia.

A recent study determined that pregnancy related snoring is more evident in women who have gained more than ideal weight. 14% of women who snored had hypertension, 52% had edema characterized by swelling in the legs, ankles and feet and to some extent to face hands and neck swelling.

The real danger of sleep apnea evidenced by snoring and characterized by oxygen deprivation has a definite negative effect on the health and development of the fetus. Infants born to snoring mothers are found to have lower birth rate, and lower Apgar scores. Apgar scores are given shortly after birth and measure color, respiration muscle tone and other characteristics. Although the causes of pre-eclampsia are unknown, there has been found to be a correlation between snoring, pre-eclampsia and to low birth-weight babies.

An expectant mother who experiences loss of sleep because of sleep apnea snoring is submitting the unborn child to stresses in utero that can result in low birth weight, lower Apgar scores and failure to thrive. The health of both mother and baby needs to be considered when there is excessive snoring, sleep apnea and sleep deprivation. A medical professional should be consulted immediately when these symptoms appear.