Pregnancy comes with a whole world of changes in a woman’s body. Aside from a growing belly, weight gain, changes in eating habits and mood swings, many women also develop snoring, even though they were not known snorers before the pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, so does the severity of snoring. At times, it is very disruptive that bed companions may have to sleep in another room to get some peace and quiet. It’s not something pregnant women do on purpose, but it is definitely worthy of a doctor’s attention. This article sheds some light on what snoring means in pregnancy and how to avoid potential health problems related to it.

Understanding the physiology of pregnancy

The rollercoaster of changes that a woman undergoes during pregnancy can be primarily attributed to her hormones, specifically estrogen. Estrogen is what stimulates fat accumulation and weight gain, as well as the relaxation of smooth muscles. It also causes the hyperactivity of mucus membranes and thus, the excessive congestion in nasal and throat passages. This is why pregnant women often complain of sinus problems.

Causes of snoring

Everyone knows what snoring sounds like, but there is much to learn about how it happens. It’s a common condition among the young and the old, and it results from the obstruction of the flow of air in the air passage, whether incoming or outgoing. The obstruction specifically occurs where the tongue and the back of the throat meet the uvula and the soft palate. This obstruction may be caused by weak tongue or throat muscles. Because these muscles are limp, they fall into airway when one breathes, causing the sound. Sometimes, snoring is caused by an excess of mucous secretions.  Alcohol and some medications may cause the throat muscles to be more relaxed, causing obstruction. Obesity also causes fat accumulation in the neck area to cause pressure on the air passages. Pillow and bed height are also common culprits because they affect the angle of the neck.

Should I be worried about snoring when pregnant?

While one may assume that snoring is a result of the normal physiologic changes that the body undergoes during gestation, it is also important to note that snoring could be indicative of sleep apnea. This is a condition wherein a person stops breathing for about 10 seconds due to poor air entry caused of an obstruction. After 10 seconds, the brain is alerted of oxygen deprivation and so it jolts the body to wake up. This is why the snoring sound can be characterized by loud choking or snorting. In a pregnant woman, breathing is an extremely crucial consideration because her body is meant to deliver oxygen to her baby in the womb. The baby could experience extreme distress in the womb when it is not supplied adequate amount of oxygen.

What to do about snoring during pregnancy?

You won’t be aware of your nocturnal symphonies, but your bed partner will. It’s not an emergency, so you can wait until you next prenatal visit to discuss the matter with your doctor. If the condition is physiologic (brought about by normal pregnancy changes), you can opt for comfort measures to help everybody sleep better at night. Nasal strips, like Breathe Right strips are not medicated, and help you stay quiet throughout the night. Experiment with pillow sizes and go for the one you are comfortable and quiet with. Because snoring can be attributed to obesity, make sure your weight gain during pregnancy is just adequate. To keep your mucus membranes moist, keep a warm-mist humidifier on at night. Finally, ask your doctor about tests if you are worried you may have sleep apnea.

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