How to Diagnose and Manage Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy?

February 7, 2024

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Home Sleep Testing
Made Simple.

Although some disruptive sleep is expected during pregnancy, repeated patterns of interrupted breathing throughout the night are not common. If the uneasy sleep is due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the condition is left untreated, the complications may be severe. Therefore, it is important to distinguish restless sleep from untreated sleep apnea—especially during pregnancy.

In one small study, researchers found that 10.5% of women in the first trimester and 26.7% of women in the third trimester had OSA.¹ The data suggests that potentially many pregnant women are unknowingly dismissing symptoms as pregnancy-related rather than indications of a treatable medical condition. Left untreated, complications from OSA include daytime fatigue, migraines, and an inability to concentrate or focus. Over time, OSA can contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and strokes.

Sleep Apnea in Women

Sleep apnea tends to occur in one out of four women. As women are reaching menopause about 20 percent or more women will develop sleep apnea. This percentage is influenced by other factors (besides gender) such as body mass index. About 14 percent of women aged between 55 and 70 have severe sleep apnea when their BMI is equal to or greater than 30.

Order a Home Sleep Test Today!

Can You Develop Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy?

You can develop sleep apnea during pregnancy due to the increased weight gain. Sleep apnea occurs more often in women who are overweight or obese, so weight gain during pregnancy could increase the risk of having sleep apnea. If you are pregnant and think you may have sleep apnea, it is recommended to talk to your OB-GYN or your physician.

Is Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy Dangerous?

Women with untreated sleep apnea during pregnancy face numerous health risks to themselves and their unborn children. Women with sleep apnea were also more likely to develop preeclampsia, which is a high blood pressure disorder that occurs during pregnancy, according to experts. Babies born to mothers who suffer from OSA are more likely to be delivered via cesarean section and admitted to neonatal critical care units.

Why are Some Pregnant Women at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

In one study, 15% of the women diagnosed with sleep apnea were obese and suffering from chronic high blood pressure. Obesity, as we know, is a significant contributing factor to sleep apnea in both men and women. Therefore, pregnancy may intensify the risk of sleep apnea in women who are already obese. Left untreated, this can cause health concerns for both mother and child.

Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Baby During Pregnancy?

If a pregnant woman has sleep apnea, it can affect the baby in a few ways. First, the repeated pause in breathing can cause an increased blood pressure in the woman which could result in less blood flow to the baby, which could also drop the baby’s oxygen blood levels too. Second, when a pregnant person’s sleep is continuously interrupted, it could lessen the amount of growth hormones being released. This could lead to growth problems and even developmental issues for the baby.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea While Pregnant?

A sleep test may be needed to diagnose OSA if one or more of these symptoms are present:

Loud snoring
Waking up gasping or choking for air
Excessive daytime fatigue
Morning headaches
Moodiness, forgetfulness, or difficulty concentrating

Lifestyle Adjustments For Managing Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy

There are a few lifestyle adjustments to help manage sleep apnea if you are pregnant. They include:

Changing Your Sleeping Position. Your doctor will typically recommend sleeping on your left side while you are pregnant. If this isn’t your typical position, a body pillow or wedge could help you adjust to this new position. It is not recommended to sleep on your back as that makes sleep worse. Learn more about the best sleeping positions for sleep apnea in this blog post by Sleep Care Online.

Make Healthy Dietary Choices. Your doctor should be able to help you gain weight safely to avoid developing sleep apnea as your pregnancy term goes on. Try to implement nutritious foods that will keep you full, like protein and vegetables that will benefit both you and your baby.

Exercise Often. Your symptoms of sleep apnea will only get worse if you do not do some physical activity during the day. Exercising can boost your mood, improve your energy, improve your sleep, and more. While it is not recommended to do any extreme or high-impact exercises, low-impact exercises like going for a walk, stretching, yoga, and others, are highly beneficial.

Use a CPAP Machine. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a safe and effective way to reduce the risks of sleep apnea before, during, and after pregnancy. The use of a CPAP machine will keep your airway open while you sleep so you do not continuously wake up at night.

Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea & Pregnancy

Even though sleep apnea is uncommon in pregnant women, it is still crucial to have a good diagnosis. Undiagnosed sleep apnea during pregnancy can lead to problems with the child’s growth, as well as other health concerns and issues. Sleep apnea problems may often improve after pregnancy.