Snoring During Pregnancy – Causes And Remedies

Pregnancy brings about several changes in your body. Besides your growing belly, there might be issues like heart palpitations and even snoring while you sleep. Snoring is a sound that is caused by vibrations of soft tissue in your throat. It typically happens when your throat is narrowed or obstructed in some way.

According to the American Thoracic Society, around half of pregnant mums end up snoring on a frequent basis during pregnancy. It can start as early as the second trimester, but it’s most commonly noticed during the third trimester. Is snoring during pregnancy normal or is it a cause of concern? Here’s everything you need to know.

Causes Of Snoring During Pregnancy

There are several causes of snoring during pregnancy. Some of these causes are:

1. Swollen nasal passages: During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases causing your blood vessels to expand.

This can lead to swollen nasal passages and force you to breathe through your mouth, leading to snoring.

2. Weight gain: Weight gained during pregnancy can lead to increased tissue in the neck and throat.

This can narrow your upper airway, and restrict your ability to breathe freely, causing snoring.

3. Colds and allergies: Cold and flu leads to congestion that can also result in nasal irritation and snoring.

4. Environmental factors: With already irritated nasal passages, you might be particularly sensitive to dry air or other situations that lead to snoring.

Experts recommend using a humidifier that keeps the air in your bedroom “neither too dry nor too humid”.

Is Snoring In Pregnancy A Sign of An Underlying Problem?

Although snoring during pregnancy seems to be a harmless problem, it can also indicate serious complications and you might need to consult a doctor. Some of these conditions are:

1. Sleep apnoea: Loud snoring during pregnancy can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Expecting mums often experience a blockage in their airway that causes them to briefly stop breathing in their sleep.

Some of its signs include gasping/ choking noises and loud snoring. 

Medical reports also suggest that women who snore before pregnancy might develop OSA due to hormonal changes or along with conditions like GD and preeclampsia.

2. Preeclampsia: According to studies, there is possible association (greater than two-fold) with preeclampsia, high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Some of its symptoms include:

• Headache and rapid weight gain
• Shortness of breath and blurry vision

3. Gestational diabetes: According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two to 10% pregnant women develop gestational diabetes and have a strong relation with snoring.

Researchers also say that snoring puts women at higher risk of developing gestational diabetes.

In addition to these, medical reports suggest that snoring during pregnancy can also lead to preterm birth.

Dr. Pooja Marathe says, “The most likely culprit of snoring are the surging pregnancy hormones. Elevated levels of oestrogen and progesterone cause the mucus membranes in your nose to swell. This results in nasal congestion. It increases when you lie down and can lead to snoring”.

Remedies for Snoring During Pregnancy

Here are some of the remedies for snoring during pregnancy:

1. Nasal strips: You can opt for nasal strips for snoring during pregnancy that are easily available in pharmacies and easy to use too.

Being drug-free, it is safe to use in pregnancy. All you need to do is stick it on your nose before going to bed.

2. Sleep on your left side: Try to lie on your left side during pregnancy as it provides for better blood circulation and better sleep.

It also helps to keep airways open to avoid the congestion that might occur with other sleeping positions like sleeping on your back. A perfect remedy for snoring too!

3. Eat right: Weight gain during pregnancy is common, but you have to maintain a proper diet so that you don’t gain a lot of weight as it can cause snoring.

4. Anti-snoring mouthpiece: You can also opt for an anti-snoring mouthpiece. It is easy to use and comes in a pair of two with measurements of +2mm and +6mm in a protective casing.

Key Takeaways

Your noisy habit will likely end after you have the baby. If not right away, then surely once you’ve lost a lot of the baby weight. 

If you experience any discomfort, you can take note of your snoring and discuss it with your doctor.