How to Treat Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy Safely

If you’re having trouble breathing while lying down during pregnancy or notice symptoms such as frequent snoring, daytime fatigue, or pauses in breathing at night, you might be dealing with sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea during pregnancy can pose significant risks, such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, which could affect both mother and baby. 

Thankfully, there are safe and effective treatment options available to improve breathing and the overall quality of sleep in pregnancy.

This guide will help you recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea during pregnancy and offer safe strategies to manage and treat this condition, ensuring that both you and your baby remain healthy and well-rested throughout your pregnancy.

Understanding Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy

Sleep apnea is a common yet serious sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses are caused by a blockage or collapse of the upper airway – and can last from a few seconds up to a minute, disrupting the normal sleep cycle. This leads to poor sleep quality and many other related symptoms. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where muscles relax and block airflow.

Impact on Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal changes, weight gain, and anatomical shifts can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea or worsen existing symptoms. Swelling of the nasal passages and increased soft tissue in the throat can narrow the airway. This makes pregnant women more prone to experiencing sleep apnea, especially when sleeping.

Many pregnant women notice the onset or worsening of snoring or experience heavy breathing, especially in the third trimester. These issues often lead to trouble breathing while lying down, reducing oxygen delivery to the baby as well as the mother’s overall health and well-being. This is why it is important to be aware of the possible complications of sleep apnea and address any symptoms as soon as possible. 

Risks Associated with Untreated Sleep Apnea

If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause serious complications to the mother and baby. It can cause high blood pressure (including preeclampsia), gestational diabetes, and increased likelihood of labor complications. This is because the repeated oxygen drops due to apnea episodes put stress on the heart and other organs.

Also, not getting sufficient quality sleep can cause fatigue and poor daytime functioning, which is already common during pregnancy, making such symptoms much worse. Recognizing the signs of pregnancy sleep apnea early can help reduce the dangers of these complications.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy

Sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy are very similar to typical pregnancy symptoms. Key symptoms which should not be ignored include loud snoring, frequent waking while gasping or choking for air, excessive daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and trouble concentrating. You might also notice mood changes or forgetfulness. 

Often, pregnant women are unaware of their disrupted breathing at night until their partner mentions snoring or breathing pauses.

If you or your partner notice any of these symptoms, it's important to mention these to your healthcare provider. They will carry out further evaluation to determine whether intervention is needed.

Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnosing sleep apnea during pregnancy usually involves a detailed discussion about your symptoms and a physical examination to check for risk factors such as high blood pressure, excess weight, or a large neck circumference. You may wish to keep a sleep diary to discuss with your healthcare provider.

The gold standard for diagnosis is an overnight sleep study called a polysomnogram, where your breathing, heart rate, and sleep cycles are monitored in a sleep lab. Home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) are also available. These are less invasive and more convenient but may be less comprehensive. These studies measure how many breathing interruptions occur per hour and help determine the severity of the apnea.

Role of Healthcare Providers

Your healthcare team plays a vital role in diagnosing and managing sleep apnea during pregnancy. Screening is carried out on those with risk factors such as a high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), frequent snoring, or chronic hypertension using questionnaires and clinical evaluations. If sleep apnea is suspected, they will refer you to a sleep medicine specialist for further testing and evaluation.

Your health care providers will put together an individually tailored treatment plan ensuring that both you and your baby remain safe throughout the pregnancy.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy

Non-Invasive Therapies

Non-invasive therapies are often the first approach during pregnancy. Positional therapy, such as sleeping on your left side, can reduce the risk of airway obstruction and improve breathing throughout the night. Using special pillows to maintain this position may help minimize snoring and apnea episodes.

Nasal congestion, which commonly worsens during pregnancy, can be relieved with saline nasal sprays or humidifiers for comfortable breathing. Your doctor may recommend nasal decongestants or steroid sprays, which are suitable during pregnancy. It is important to consult your healthcare provider before purchasing medication over the counter.

Oral appliances can be used to promote comfortable breathing at night. For example, mandibular advancement devices, fitted by a specialist, can hold the jaw forward to keep the airway open and reduce the severity of apnea episodes.

Use of CPAP Machines

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are considered the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. They are completely safe to use during pregnancy, especially in moderate to severe cases. CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask at night that delivers gentle air pressure to keep your airway open and prevent breathing interruptions. Research suggests that using CPAP can reduce the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, conditions linked to untreated sleep apnea.

Your healthcare provider will tailor the CPAP settings to your needs, and as the pregnancy progresses, adjustments may be necessary to maintain effective treatment. CPAP can improve both your health and your baby’s health by promoting oxygen flow and better quality sleep.

Alternative Treatments

Besides CPAP and oral appliances, lifestyle modifications play a vital role in managing sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy. They also help promote the overall health and well-being of both mother and baby. Maintaining a balanced diet to control weight gain within healthy limits helps reduce pressure on your airway. Light exercise, with your doctor’s approval, can promote better sleep and respiratory health.

Elevating your upper body while sleeping with wedge pillows may also alleviate breathing difficulties. For some women, natural remedies and relaxation techniques can help improve overall sleep quality. It is important to have a multidisciplinary care approach for personalized and safe treatment, which is suitable for pregnancy and postpartum.

See Your Healthcare Provider Promptly

Sleep apnea and pregnancy symptoms are similar and interconnected. It is important to be able to distinguish between the two, as sleep apnea can heighten the risks of issues such as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and unfavorable outcomes for the baby. 

Identifying symptoms, such as snoring while pregnant, progressing into sleep interruptions, or understanding how pregnancy sleep apnea develops, is essential. Safe treatment options, like CPAP therapy and sleep remedies for pregnant women, can help alleviate symptoms and reduce any risks.

If you are suffering from symptoms of sleep apnea while pregnant, for example, nighttime breathing difficulties or increased snoring during pregnancy, it is important to consult your healthcare provider promptly. Addressing the symptoms early is necessary for better maternal and fetal health during pregnancy and postpartum.