Is snoring safe during pregnancy

Snoring can have a negative effect on your pregnancy if it is chronic (when you snore a few times during the week). This is because if you snore most of time during the night, you may be at risk of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is when you have intermitted pauses in breathing during sleep. When this occurs frequently , it can cause your blood to get less oxygen.

In pregnancy, sleep apnea has been linked to the following :

• daytime sleepiness
• edema (swelling)
• high blood pressure
• high blood sugar
• high risk of cesarean
• low birth weight
• depression

It is common to snore during pregnancy especially in the third trimester. This could be due to  pregnancy hormones which relax the muscles in the mouth and mucous membrane of the nose. This results in vibrations that causes you to  snore.  Weight gain during pregnancy can  also be a contributing factor. Increase in blood volume during pregnancy can result in swollen nasal membranes which can make you snore  .  If you think you snore too much , contact your health care professional. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea , overnight sleep study may be done to test for it.

If you do have sleep apnea, treatment options may include the following :

• a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for better breathing during sleep
• a mandibular advancement device which moves the lower jaw forward while you sleep. This will help reduce closure in the back of the throat which is the main cause of sleep apnea
• training device that reduces sleep apnea severity by helping you avoid certain sleep positions