Snoring During Pregnancy

Sleep During Pregnancy

Can you stop snoring during pregnancy? Good sleep during pregnancy can be a real challenge and snoring problems can be due to the numerous changes pregnancy causes in the respiratory system.

Bodily changes affect sleep and pregnancy, increasing the chance of difficult breathing. During pregnancy many changes occur within the respiratory system, which can alter the function of sleep and pregnancy, increasing the chance of unusual breathing and causing snoring problems.

Estrogen and progesterone levels circulating in the bloodstream rise considerably during pregnancy. Increased blood flow may also cause nasal congestion and a runny nose. In a recent study of healthy pregnant women, 23% snored compared with only 4% of non-pregnant women in the same age group. Clearly snoring and pregnancy can be a problem.

Safe congestion treatments for snoring during pregnancy

1. Avoid unnecessary exposure to respiratory allergens and pollutants, like smog and cigarette smoke.

2. Drink extra water daily.

3. Flush your nasal passages with saltwater nose drops several times each day. These are available over-the-counter, or you can make your own using a cup of water mixed with a quarter teaspoon of salt. A neti pot can be used – these have been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to flush out the nasal cavities.

4. Use a facial steamer to clear out your nasal passages and sinuses.

Sleep during pregnancy

It is typical for women to experience problems with sleep and pregnancy. In the first trimester, pregnant women often feel very tired and crave naps. Higher levels of the hormone progesterone are believed to be the culprit, as this is known to have a sedative effect. More than half of pregnant women take at least one nap during the week. Sixty per cent nap on weekends.

Women who are used to sleeping on their stomachs may find it hard to adjust to other sleeping positions. Tender breasts may also add to this problem.

The need to urinate frequently is another source of problems with sleep during pregnancy, as the growing uterus presses on the bladder.

Source: British Snoring and Sleep Apneoa Association; AskDrSears.com; Babycenter.com