Pregnancy snoring is common in expectant mothers. After all, your body is going through drastic changes. Pregnancy can bring about many nighttime symptoms, and that includes snoring.
The natural order of pregnancy often causes these symptoms. Snoring, difficulty breathing and restless sleep may be attributed to pregnancy, but in reality, they could be the signs of a severe health issue.
What is pregnancy snoring?
Snoring is a common problem that affects almost half of the people in the world. It results from airway obstruction and it can be dangerous to your health in many ways. One of these ways is pregnancy snoring. It occurs when the body changes during pregnancy.
The changes in the body include:
- Increased blood volume.
- Enlargement of the uterus.
- Increased pressure on the chest cavity due to fluid retention.
All these factors can cause snoring during pregnancy to become more severe than before you were pregnant.
Pregnancy snoring often occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. And then goes away after 20 weeks. But, some women continue to experience pregnancy snoring throughout their pregnancies.
What causes pregnancy snoring?
There are a number of things that can cause pregnancy snoring.
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Extra Weight
One major cause is the extra weight you carry daily, especially if it's in your belly. The excess weight on your body can make it easier to get congested. It makes it harder for you to breathe while sleeping. It makes snoring more likely.
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Hormonal Changes
Another major cause is the hormones running wild through your body during pregnancy. These are hormones that relax muscles and promote deep sleep. It can be a problem when those muscles aren't fully relaxed. It can get in the way of proper breathing.
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Acid Reflux
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and sometimes even dysphagia or difficulty swallowing. It's common during pregnancy, and it can cause snoring in several ways:
1) The more prolonged the soft palate is exposed to stomach acids, the more likely it is to swell and collapse. This causes snoring.
2) Acid reflux can also lead to excess mucus production in the throat. This clogs airways and causes snoring.
3) Pregnancy hormones cause relaxation of muscles in your throat and mouth. It means less airflow through those areas—and, thus more snoring!
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Allergies
Allergies can cause pregnancy snoring. If you are allergic to something, it could be causing your nose to run and clog up your airways when you sleep. It can cause snoring and make it harder for you to breathe, leading to feelings of suffocation.
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Poor sleep posture
Poor sleep posture is one of the most common causes of snoring during pregnancy. Many pregnant women find that they snore less when they sleep on their backs. But be aware of some potential problems with this position.
Gravity pulls your tummy down and puts pressure on your diaphragm when you are on your back. It can make it difficult for you to breathe and may cause you to snore.
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Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is the most common cause of snoring during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growing fetus puts pressure on the diaphragm. The muscle that controls breathing and helps you breathe more deeply.
It can cause your brain to send signals that make your legs twitch. The cramps make you uncomfortable. And so you start to squirm around in bed and move your legs around more than usual. which leads to snoring.
What are the risks associated with pregnancy snoring?
Snoring while sleeping may seem quite common and harmless. However, there are certain complications and risks that are associated with it while pregnant, such as:
Suffocation
The first risk is suffocation. Snoring can cause you to breathe less frequently. This means that you may not be getting enough oxygen in your bloodstream. It can lead to oxygen deprivation at night, leading to hypoxia, a condition where your brain does not receive enough oxygenated blood.
Hypoxia is a severe medical condition and can cause permanent brain damage or even death in extreme cases.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing stops for short periods during sleep. The pause in breathing may just be 10 seconds, but this leads to an interruption in your sleep cycle. This interruption can result in drowsiness during the day. And even heart failure if left untreated for long periods.
Studies have shown that snoring may contribute to preeclampsia since it can restrict blood flow and lead to increased blood pressure. Also, snoring can also cause oxygen levels to drop which can be dangerous for both mother and child.
Preterm labor
It occurs when an unborn child enters the world too soon (before 37 weeks gestation). Preterm labour has many causes, but often occurs as a complication of other conditions. Examples of these are preeclampsia or placental abruption.
Fetal distress
One of the risks associated with pregnancy snoring is foetal distress. It occurs when the baby is not getting enough oxygen. It puts them in danger of being born prematurely or with low birth weight.
How to reduce or prevent pregnancy snoring?
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Comfortable sleep position
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Comfortable mattress
Nasal Strip
Ear Plugs
Republished with permission from theAsianparent Singapore
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