Can Pregnancy Cause Snoring?

I started snoring during my pregnancy, is it just me?
Snoring during pregnancy is not uncommon; many women suffer from snoring during their pregnancy even if they never snored before. Approximately 4% of non pregnant women snore during sleep but during pregnancy this number rises to 30%. It’s also quite common for the snoring to get worse as the pregnancy progresses especially during the third trimester.

Is snoring during pregnancy serious?
Typically no, snoring is generally not serious during pregnancy and it happens to many pregnant women. However, snoring can in some cases be linked to more serious problems such as preeclampsia so it’s best to talk with your doctor just to be safe.

What if I have Preeclampsia during pregnancy?
Snoring is not a solid indication of preeclampsia, and it’s more likely you just have regular harmless pregnancy snoring. However, if you are concerned you should speak to your doctor. The symptoms of preeclampsia your doctor will probably test for are a high blood pressure and protein in the urine. Preeclampsia only affects approximately 7% of pregnant women. Other symptoms to look out for include sleepiness during day times, headaches, vision blurring and vomiting. It’s also important to note that some of these symptoms can actually be natural causes of the pregnancy but it’s always better to be safe than sorry so if you suspect you have preeclampsia, make sure you talk to your doctor about it.

If I snore am I more likely to get Preeclampsia?
Tests and studies have shown that 10% pregnant women who habitually snore have preeclampsia however if you snore infrequently during pregnancy this number is reduced to 4%. In addition to this however, studies have also shown that snoring becomes more frequent as the pregnancy progresses and in around 20% of women this turned into habitual snoring in the last week of their pregnancy. There is also the possibility that you could develop simple hypertension during pregnancy which is more likely if you are suffering from snoring during the pregnancy. Regardless both of these conditions need to be looked at by your doctor.

Why does pregnancy cause snoring?
Research has shown that pregnant women are more likely to snore. This is most probably because the airways begin to narrow as pregnancy progresses. There is also a lot more pressure on the organs of a pregnant woman and breathing can become more labored in general especially with the extra weight you need to carry around. This in mind it seems only natural that these breathing changes can cause snoring in some women.

What Can I do to stop snoring?
Snoring can be helped by taking control of your breathing patterns and practicing regulated breathing and gentle exercise. Many women find that the snoring stops when the pregnancy is over however some women do find that the snoring continues so it’s best to take control of the incorrect breathing as soon as snoring begins. Because it’s best not to use medicines while pregnant talk to your doctor about possible solutions or invest in some of the natural methods that could help you top stop snoring such as a jaw supporter.