Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy: What You Should Know

Are you growing a tiny human? Congratulations! No doubt, you are keeping a careful eye on both your own health and that of your new family member. One thing that you should monitor is the quality of your sleep, especially if you have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. What is the connection between sleep apnea and pregnancy? How can you minimize the health consequences of sleep disordered breathing? This blog post explains what you should know.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is More Common During Pregnancy

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a disorder that causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night. The pauses occur because tissues in the throat, such as the base of the tongue and the soft palate, over-relax and block the free flow of air.

Pregnant individuals are at a heightened risk of sleep apnea because of hormonal changes. Hormones can cause a thickening of mucus in the nasal passages, which increases the risk that you will breathe through your mouth during sleep. Mouth breathing is strongly associated with sleep apnea. Weight gain during pregnancy can also be a factor; those extra pounds can place pressure on your airway and restrict the free flow of oxygen.

The Health Risks of OSA During Pregnancy

OSA can harm both you and your baby in the following ways:

Health Risks for You: OSA is associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension (high blood pressure) and gestational diabetes. Unplanned C-sections, prolonged labor, and preeclampsia are also more common among OSA sufferers. Those risks are on top of the problems that anyone with OSA can develop, such as an increased risk of heart problems, depression, and more.

Health Risks for Your Baby: OSA can cause changes in the volume of blood pumped by your heart. In turn, this issue can lead to a drop in your baby’s blood oxygen levels. OSA could cause your baby to have a low heart rate or even impede their growth. Preterm births and infant death are more common among babies of mothers with OSA.

What Can You Do?

Fortunately, sleep apnea is fairly easy to treat, and finding relief from it does not require you to take any medications that might affect your baby.

If you have been unusually exhausted, or your partner has told you that you sometimes stop breathing during sleep, you should visit your doctor. After testing and diagnosis, you may be eligible for either a CPAP machine or a custom oral appliance from a dentist. CPAP machines are very effective, but many patients find them to be uncomfortable. An oral appliance offers a more convenient way to ensure that you can breathe freely during sleep.

OSA during pregnancy is nothing to take lightly! Talk to your doctor so you can get the high-quality rest that you and your baby need.

Meet the Practice

Dr. Stephen Dean is an experienced dentist and a member of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. If you have been struggling to get good sleep during your pregnancy, he and our team can provide personalized advice on your next steps. Our goal is to help every patient get the rejuvenating rest they need to function at their best. Contact our Covington office at 770-710-5268.