What to do About Snoring During Pregnancy?

Snoring during pregnancy is a common issue. Thousands of pregnant women around the world complain that they have started snoring right after 2-3 months of conceiving though they never snored before. It is estimated that 1 in every 4 pregnant women around the world snore. This may cause a major sleep disruption to you or your partner. Doctors have to face these patients and problem frequently as pregnant women look for a permanent snore solution during this vital period of their life.

Why and when does snoring start in pregnancy?

Usually, snoring during pregnancy starts in the 2^nd or early 3^rd trimester because of weight gain and hormonal changes. There is an increase of hormones, especially progesterone and estrogen that causes inflammation in the nasal passages, aiding congestion. The weight gain during this period, adds pressure on the breathing airway, which narrows it and leads to loud snoring.  The changes of snoring heavily are more in women that have allergies and sleep apnea or have gained considerable weight.  It’s essential to monitor snoring, as it may indicate potential health complications.

What to do About Snoring During Pregnancy?

Although it is fairly common, snoring during pregnancy happens due to weight gain, hormonal changes and allergies. To manage snoring, it is important to sleep on your side as it improves airflow and lowers the pressure on the nasal passages. It is good to use anti-snoring pillow to elevate your head while staying hydrated helps to reduce the nasal inflammation. Use saline sprays, nasal strips and humidifiers to reduce the snoring. You can seek medical attention to check if the snoring is accompanied with breathing interruptions as that can put you at risk of sleep apnea.

Causes Of Snoring During Pregnancy

If you had never snored before and it has started after pregnancy, the probable cause may be the hormonal changes and weight gain. These hormonal changes cause some changes in the body forming more mucus and causing swelling in the nasal area, at the same time, you could detect extra fat in the neck and back. Apart from that, your sleeping posture could be the other reason. All these matters increase the chance of snoring.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

If you are snoring a lot, and family members living with you feel disturbed, you can consult a doctor. There are some situations when you should consult your physician:

•   If it is really disturbing your sleep or you feel that sleep apnea has been forming.
• Your legs are looking swollen, especially after a sleep.
• Feeling headache even after sleeping for 4-5 hours.

Sleep apnea is not good for you and the fetus. It creates obstacles during breathing, as a result, the body gets less oxygen.

When does snoring during pregnancy usually end?

Snoring during pregnancy ends after the birth of the child. The snoring begins during the second or third trimesters, because of weight gain, hormonal changes and enhanced blood volume. These are the reasons that cause inflammation of the mucus membranes and nasal congestion, which leads to narrowing of the breathing pathways causing snoring. The growing fetus puts pressure on the diaphragm affecting your breathing. After the childbirth, hormonal levels get back to normal and with weight loss and restoration of hormonal balance, the snoring ends. If the snoring still continues and there is gasping and disruptions in sleep, you might want to consult with a sleep apnea specialist.

How to Prevent Snoring With Some Easy Methods?

If you want, you can prevent snoring during pregnancy in the following ways:

• Correct your sleeping posture. As the time passes, you will feel comfortable sleeping on your back. This can increase the chance of snoring. Better, to sleep slightly one-sided, especially left with your head slightly up with a pillow.
• Expected mothers gain weight. It is mainly due to the hormonal changes and lesser body movements. Try to perform some exercises for your neck and shoulder in sitting posture. However, always take advice from your medical consultant before doing such exercises. Anyway, reducing extra fat from the neck area and shoulder can reduce the problem.
• Keep vigilance on your daily calorie intake. Do not eat high-fat products. Take lots of fibrous vegetables and fruits.
• Check your blood pressure regularly. Sometimes high blood pressure can cause snoring.
• You can use medical kits for stopping irritating snoring. Nasal strips are readily available in drugstores, otherwise, use highly effective nasal solutions like the one marketed by Asonor. These products are free from any side-effects and can be used during pregnancy.
• Don’t indulge in any kinds of alcohol or tobacco. Even, don’t use any sleeping tablet without a medical practitioner’s advice. This is not good for your baby either.

Above all, do not panic as snoring during pregnancy is common but it is a temporary problem. Within the 2 months of delivery, this problem goes out automatically. However, taking precautions as stated above are always good measures for your health as also for the fetus.

Conclusion

Though it is difficult to endure but snoring during pregnancy is common and is directly linked to weight gain, growing fetus, hormonal changes and nasal congestion. Thus, try sleeping on your side, use a humidifier, use anti-snoring pillows, nasal strips and sprays, and stay hydrated. Though you stop snoring after the birth of the child, if the loud snoring still persists, it might be a sign of sleep apnea, which might require medical intervention and diagnosis.

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