19 Mar Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy: What Expectant Moms Need to Know
When you’re an expectant mom, your support system and reading up on all things pregnancy-related will prepare you for a lot of things to change, but you may not have expected to stop sleeping well.
There are many reasons why you may struggle with sleep while pregnant—frequent urination (nocturia), body aches and pains, and acid reflux are among the most common. However, another common cause, which doesn’t get brought up as often, can pose serious health complications: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
You may not have had sleep apnea before, but that certainly does not guarantee that you won’t develop it when you are pregnant. Keep reading to learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and pregnancy from our experts in sleep medicine.
How Sleep Apnea and Pregnancy Are Linked
Researchers believe sleep apnea is more common during pregnancy than in non-pregnant women of childbearing age. During pregnancy, normal changes such as hormone fluctuations, increased blood volume, and lower oncotic pressure make it easier for fluid to move out of the bloodstream and into surrounding tissues.
Put simply, these changes can cause swelling (edema) in the upper airway, which may narrow it and make breathing more difficult—especially during sleep. This is a form of obstructive sleep apnea.
Adverse Effects of Sleep Apnea on Pregnancy
Sleep apnea in pregnant women is linked with adverse effects on mothers and their developing babies; sometimes both. Here are just a few complications tied to maternal sleep apnea:
- Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM)
- Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HPD)
- Fetal Growth Abnormalities (i.e., Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Fetal Growth Restriction)
- Premature Delivery
- Congenital Fetal Anomalies
Additionally, sleep apnea often has a way of causing individuals to suffer from poor quality sleep and fatigue without even realizing they have the condition. Even if you never experience any of the above-listed adverse effects of simultaneous sleep apnea and pregnancy, you need treatment to address your sleep apnea for good, quality sleep (more than a non-pregnant person) for your mental, emotional, and physical stability.
How to Prevent Pregnancy Complications with Sleep Apnea
To prevent sleep apnea and sleeplessness-related complications for you and your child while you’re pregnant, you should closely monitor your sleep quality and any sleep problems you’re experiencing, and familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. Ensure that you discuss any sleep issues with your OB/GYN, and be sure to request a referral to a sleep specialist if you present any new or ongoing signs of sleep apnea during pregnancy.
Signs of Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring: Snoring is the most common sign and symptom of sleep apnea. However—contrary to common belief—loud snoring isn’t always present with sleep apnea, so “my husband/sister/mother/friend/other children say I don’t snore” is not a reliable indicator of whether you have the condition.
- Dry mouth, sore or dry throat, and nasal congestion.
- Abruptly waking, feeling like you’re choking or gasping for air.
- Morning headaches.
- Daytime fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Forgetfulness or trouble concentrating.
- Mood fluctuation.
- Restless sleep, inability to fall asleep, or inability to stay asleep through the night.
- Breathing stops or is interrupted during sleep.
If you notice you are experiencing these symptoms when you are pregnant, whether they are new or ongoing, monitor them closely and make an appointment with a licensed sleep apnea specialist
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options for Pregnant Women
The most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, including for pregnant mothers, is CPAP. However, depending on the individual patient’s condition and the level of airway obstruction, Oral Appliance Therapy (OAT) may be a promising treatment that also offers pregnant mothers a comfortable alternative to the bulky, cumbersome experience of CPAP.
However, there are some things to consider about whether OAT is suitable to treat your sleep apnea during your pregnancy:
- Some patients have trouble sticking to the routine of wearing their OAT device regularly, whether they are pregnant or not. If you are not able to be consistent with your OAT, it will not be wholly effective in preventing the adverse effects of sleep apnea on pregnant women or their developing children.
- A patient’s eligibility for/compatibility with OAT largely depends on whether they have mild, moderate, or severe obstructive sleep apnea. OAT is not usually a suitable treatment for severe OSA unless it is used in addition to CPAP. Since there is fluctuation and unpredictability in the factors that cause the airway-obstructing swelling, the severity of a pregnant patient’s OSA would be subject to similarly unpredictable fluctuations and, therefore, might make OAT suitable over the full course of the pregnancy.
- The cost and time required to get a custom-fitted OAT device may not be worth it for patients who did not have sleep apnea before their pregnancy, as their condition may resolve after delivery and post-partum recovery; they would no longer need the device.
A Trustworthy Sleep Apnea Specialist for Pregnant Moms in Alabama
A sleep apnea specialist who is well-informed on the relationship between sleep apnea and pregnancy will guide you to the right treatment that is safest for you and your growing baby.
TMJ and Sleep Solutions of Alabama is led by Dr. Amy Hartsfield, a sleep specialist who understands how important sleep is to your overall health. She is thorough in investigating the causes of sleeplessness and the intricacies of sleep apnea. She’ll gladly walk through all of the necessary nuances to help you find the right treatment for your sleep apnea, ensuring it aligns with the health and comfort needs of you and your baby.
To ask questions about sleep apnea and pregnancy or to inquire about your eligibility for oral appliance therapy or other pregnancy-friendly sleep apnea treatments, contact us today! Our friendly staff will be pleased to help you.
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