Snoring during pregnancy - main causes and treatment

Peculiarities of breathing in a pregnant woman

During pregnancy, a woman experiences physiological and hormonal changes that resolve immediately after childbirth. Every day the uterus grows, putting pressure on neighboring organs. From 30-32 weeks, the diaphragm shifts. A woman who has not previously suffered from snoring experiences a lack of air, both at night and during the day. This is why most pregnant women start snoring in their sleep.

Ronchopathy can also be caused by involuntary muscle relaxation during sleep. This occurs especially often in pregnant women, as hormones are produced to reduce muscle tone. As a result, the palate, uvula, and the walls of the pharynx close, forming a barrier to the passage of air.

Why is snoring dangerous for pregnant women and children?

Physiological snoring does not have a negative impact on the child. If the problem is complicated by obstructive apnea, the child suffers from oxygen starvation. In the early stages of pregnancy, this is fraught with underdevelopment of life support systems.

In the last stages of pregnancy, severe snoring leads to tangling of the umbilical cord and increases the risk of breech presentation of the fetus.

Development of snoring during pregnancy

If snoring occurs during pregnancy, you should inform your gynecologist about it. Most often it bothers a woman in the last trimester. During this period, the fetus and uterus reach their largest sizes, and muscle tone decreases.

Causes of pathology

Difficulty breathing during sleep occurs due to complete relaxation of the muscles at night. A woman whose organs are under pressure from an enlarged uterus also develops snoring during pregnancy, its causes:

• severe weight gain;
• changes in hormonal levels;
• swelling of the nasopharynx, hormonal rhinitis;
• late toxicosis;
• respiratory diseases, allergies;
• stress, nervous breakdowns;
• smoking.

A decrease in clearance in the upper respiratory tract may be associated with the presence of chronic tonsillitis or pathology of the thyroid gland. The influence of external factors cannot be ruled out: an uncomfortable bed, a hard pillow, a dusty or stuffy room, tight clothing, incorrect sleeping position (on the stomach or back).

Attention! Pregnant women are not recommended to have a large dinner or drink more than two liters of fluid per day.

At-risk groups

Women who are overweight or have gained more than 15 kilograms during pregnancy experience snoring during sleep. If before becoming pregnant a girl suffered from rhonchopathy, night attacks intensify, there is a risk of developing apnea. Most often, snoring occurs in women with the following characteristics:

• tendency to allergies;
• pathology of the skull structure;
• chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• hearing aid pathology;
• tonsil hypertrophy, grade 3 and 4 adenoids;
• pathologies of the heart, kidneys, liver.

When planning pregnancy, it is recommended to get rid of the smoking habit. Tobacco smoke not only disrupts the functioning of a woman’s lungs, but also interferes with the sufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus.

Also, if snoring occurs, it is necessary to examine the ENT organs.

The mechanism of occurrence of breathing disorders during sleep

The central nervous system is responsible for regulating breathing at night. The mucous membrane of the pharynx, soft palate and uvula should close and open during inhalation and exhalation.

There are two main reasons why pregnant women snore in their sleep:

1. Narrowing of the airways due to allergies or respiratory disease. Snoring also occurs due to the presence of a foreign body in the nasal passages and enlarged tonsils. In the last months of pregnancy, late toxicosis may develop, which leads to swelling of the legs, arms, and mucous membranes.
2. Decreased muscle tone. This phenomenon is observed due to changes in hormonal levels and increased production of progesterone. Snoring also occurs against the background of pathological functioning of the thyroid gland.

If severe snoring occurs, it is necessary to check the patency of the airways, the tone of the palate and uvula. With prolonged closure of the walls of the larynx, breathing completely stops; this attack can last up to several minutes.

Associated symptoms

Pregnant women who start snoring in the third trimester most often suffer from swelling and shortness of breath. These signs appear with excess weight.

If sleep disturbance occurs due to hormonal rhinitis, the following symptoms are observed:

• runny nose;
• itching;
• sneezing;
• tearfulness;
• sore throat.

Prolonged and severe snoring increases blood pressure. If you experience dizziness and nosebleeds in the morning, you should immediately consult a doctor.

How to get rid of snoring during pregnancy?

Snoring is not only a reason for family quarrels, but also a serious disruption in the functioning of the body. A lot of people don’t even understand that snoring is a symptom of diseases such as: developing obesity, hypertension, impotence, cardiac dysfunction, stroke, heart attack, death in sleep.

Snoring can lead to:

• Increasing loud snoring;
• During sleep, breathing may become more frequent;
• Constant fatigue, headaches;
• Drowsiness that accompanies the whole day;
• Fatigue that continues day after day;
• Inattention and forgetfulness.

If you find at least a few of these symptoms, you need urgent treatment. We offer you a new method of treating snoring, proposed by Elena Malysheva.

We can advise pregnant women:

• Drink less fluids at night;
• Change sleeping positions, lie on your side more often;
• You can apply clips or adhesive strips before and during bedtime. They need to be attached to the wings of the nose; they expand the nasal passage, thereby improving air circulation;
• It is necessary to strengthen the laryngeal muscles through singing. 20 minutes of practice per day will be the norm;
• If you are not allergic to herbs, you can brew infusions of rose hips, leuzea root and dandelion. These herbs will help maintain the muscles of the larynx in good shape, therefore, rhonopathy will appear much less frequently;
• Lead a healthy lifestyle, this will help you not gain excess weight and maintain the required level of vitamins.

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And don’t forget, if your snoring doesn’t go away within a week, be sure to see your doctor. Let him examine you and prescribe the treatment you need.

Snoring during late pregnancy is more intense. At such times, it is better not to even try to treat yourself, but to immediately turn to specialists. Because you can only make it worse yourself. Before giving birth, the body must gain strength, and this, as everyone knows, mainly happens during sleep. So there is no need to hesitate with this.

Ways to eliminate snoring in pregnant women

To get rid of snoring during pregnancy, it is recommended to pay attention to external factors that provoke the disorder. Do wet cleaning more often, ventilate the room, and clean the pillows annually.

Advice! Do not rush to treat rhonchopathy with aerosols and nasal drops, as their effect can have a detrimental effect on the fetus.

Set of exercises

To reduce or completely eliminate snoring, special exercises have been developed that are performed at home. They increase the tone of the muscles of the larynx, palate, and uvula.

It is recommended to carry out the complex before going to bed or after waking up from an attack of holding your breath.

1. Take a wooden pencil or stick and hold it between your teeth for several minutes. Initially, the pressure should be light; towards the end of the exercise, bite the object harder and harder.
2. Try to touch the tip of your tongue to your chin and hold this position for 10 seconds. Then reach for the uvula. Do this exercise 10-15 times.
3. Open your mouth wide and stay in this position for a few seconds. Close your lips and stretch them as much as possible in a smile, finally stretch them forward. It is necessary to repeat the exercise 10-15 times.
4. Grasp your chin with your hands, and at this time try to move your jaw back and forth. Do 30 times.

It is important to know! If snoring occurs due to nasal congestion, a deviated septum or swelling of the mucous membrane, the exercises will not be effective.

In case of lack of muscle tone, it is recommended to perform the complex daily. After a few weeks, the snoring will stop.

Devices and products approved for pregnant women

The pharmacy offers many anti-snoring medications, but not all of them are approved during pregnancy. If you have rhinitis or a dry nasopharynx, it is recommended to use safe sprays based on saline solution.

The most positive reviews are about Aquamaris and Aqualor. You can also fight rhonchopathy using drops or aerosols with essential oils.

To completely cure snoring, somnologists recommend carrying out SINAP therapy, which will not affect the woman’s well-being and the baby’s development. With the help of a special apparatus, breathing is improved and swelling is eliminated.

Traditional methods

If you haven’t had snoring before and it arose during pregnancy, traditional medicine will tell you how to get rid of it. It is recommended to consume oven-baked carrots, young cabbage salad, and tea with lemon every day. Before going to bed, drip your nose with sea buckthorn oil.

In the absence of individual intolerance and allergies to rose hips, chamomile, and dandelion, medicinal teas and decoctions are brewed. It is recommended to consume them 100-150 ml a few hours before bedtime.

How should you proceed?

If a woman has uncomplicated snoring, it can be cured without the help of a doctor.

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How can you still get rid of snoring during pregnancy? All you need to do is try to sleep on your side, avoid eating salty foods, monitor your weight, and treat respiratory diseases in a timely manner.

We strongly do not recommend self-medication during a long period of pregnancy, since these methods will not bring any benefit if apnea syndrome develops, and it is unrealistic to diagnose this syndrome at home.

If all the recommendations for treating snoring at home have not brought any benefit, and after a week have not given a positive result, be sure to consult a doctor, and the sooner the better.

Immediate consultation with a doctor will help to diagnose the problem in time and prescribe the treatment that is required to normalize breathing during sleep, which will contribute to the correct and normal development of the fetus.

But in addition to basic treatment, doctors recommend following the following recommendations:

• Eliminate salty foods and caffeine from your diet. Salt, first of all, interferes with the removal of fluid from the body, and caffeine disrupts restful sleep;
• You need to forget about bad habits. Use of alcohol, tobacco products, sleeping pills and other substances. These substances tend to narrow the nasal lumen;
• Inspect your bed, its head should be slightly raised, this will make breathing easier during sleep, and it is also advisable to sleep on an orthopedic pillow;
• Before going to bed, rinse your nose with saline solution, this will moisturize and cleanse the nasal mucosa.

Even if snoring does not bother you very much, it still remains a violation of the normal functioning of the body and requires medical diagnosis with further treatment. There is no need to engage in long-term self-medication; it will definitely not lead to anything good.

Additional recommendations for healthy sleep for expectant mothers

Chronic diseases worsen during pregnancy, and due to constant pressure on the diaphragm, snoring can be triggered even by an uncomfortable position during sleep. Therefore, somnologists have developed additional recommendations for women who experience symptoms of rhonchopathy.

Choosing the right posture

Sleeping on the stomach and back is contraindicated for pregnant women. These positions are dangerous not only for women, but also for the fetus. Incorrect body position provokes stagnation of blood circulation in the pelvis. The baby in the womb begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen. Also, to prevent snoring, you should not tilt your head back. The most optimal position is to sleep on your left side. If you are tired, you can sleep for about an hour in a semi-sitting position on two or three pillows.

Organization of a sleeping place

For a good night's sleep, purchase a special orthopedic mattress and pillow. The latter should be low and hard, similar to a roller. It is also recommended to ventilate the room at night, regularly clean and clean carpets and rugs. In the room it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of humidity and temperature (no more than 22o).

Evening walks

Movement for a pregnant woman is necessary not only for the prevention and elimination of snoring. During walking, blood circulates better in the pelvis, and the fetus receives more oxygen.

It is recommended to take a walk in the fresh air every day. If you start snoring while sleeping, take a walk in the park after dinner. Be careful later. If there is severe swelling of the legs, moderate physical activity and consult a gynecologist.

Nutrition and drinking regime before bedtime

To treat and prevent snoring, it is recommended to pay attention to your diet. You should not eat fatty or too salty foods, which cause swelling of the tissues. During pregnancy, avoid coffee and strong black tea, or drink a maximum of one cup in the morning.

To ensure that nothing disturbs you while you sleep, do not eat at night. Monitor your weight gain every week; it should not be more than 300 g. If you suffer from edema, do not drink more than 1.5 liters of fluid per day.

You should also avoid drinking drinks and water an hour before bedtime.

Who is at risk?

This aspect deserves special attention. Previously, we looked at what causes snoring during pregnancy. The reasons may be different, but there are certain factors that increase the risk of developing pathology. Women who have gained more than 15 kilograms while carrying a child are at risk. In addition, if a woman suffered from rhonchopathy before pregnancy, then during pregnancy the attacks may become stronger. The risk of developing apnea also increases. The causes of snoring during pregnancy can also be:

• tonsil hypertrophy;
• pathologies of the hearing aid;
• chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
• pathology of the skull structure;
• tendency to allergies;
• pathologies of the kidneys, heart and liver.

If you have bad habits at the stage of pregnancy planning, you should get rid of them. Smoking during pregnancy interferes with the normal supply of oxygen to the fetus.

Dangers of snoring for women and fetuses

A complication of heavy snoring during sleep can be sleep apnea. This is the medical term for holding your breath. Attacks of this syndrome can be repeated up to 200 times per night and last about 2 minutes. Such long stops lead to fetal hypoxia, intrauterine development of hydrocephalus and other abnormalities.

If snoring develops due to serious illnesses, the following consequences are possible:

• hypertension;
• preeclampsia or eclampsia (last stage of gestosis);
• diabetes;
• delayed physical and mental development in a born child.

When the lumen of the respiratory tract is completely closed, which lasts more than 6 minutes, a gradual failure of the functioning of all vital systems occurs. Obstructive apnea leads to coma or death. Therefore, if you suffer from severe snoring, it is recommended to consult a somnologist in a timely manner.

Snoring in pregnant women is usually a physiological consequence of hormonal imbalance during pregnancy. It can be caused by pressure from the enlarged uterus on the diaphragm. In both cases, the symptom is normal and goes away on its own after childbirth. If you are expecting a child and have chronic diseases of the ENT organs, heart, kidneys, or thyroid gland, you need to consult a specialist doctor. Sleep disruption can harm not only the expectant mother, but also the baby.

Common Causes

Content

Snoring is the result of relaxation of the smooth muscles of the airways. During sleep, a physiological narrowing of their lumen occurs. If the walls close more intensely than usual, characteristic vibrating sounds appear. Factors contributing to their occurrence are internal and external. Internal factors include viral or infectious diseases of the ENT organs. Among the external reasons are:

• low air humidity;
• swelling of the nasopharynx;
• excess weight;
• allergic manifestations;
• compression of the diaphragm as a result of an enlarged abdomen.

In pregnant women, snoring may appear later in pregnancy. The third trimester is characterized by swelling, which occurs due to fluid retention. The weight gained is also important. The combination of these factors influences the process of air passing through the larynx during sleep.

Hormonal changes

After the embryo attaches to the uterine cavity, progesterone begins to actively grow. It is produced by the corpus luteum, formed at the site of the egg. Progesterone has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscles of the pelvic and laryngeal muscles. As a result, the pregnant woman experiences snoring.

Overweight

Snoring that occurs during pregnancy may be a result of weight gain. This occurs due to an increase in the volume of the fetus and limitation of physical activity. Fat can accumulate not only on visible areas, but also on internal organs. Formed in the respiratory system, it narrows the lumen of the passages. This provokes snoring attacks at night.

Rhinitis and swelling

During pregnancy, the immune system is in a vulnerable position. The risk of developing allergic reactions and colds increases. They are accompanied by nasal congestion, which impairs breathing function. In some cases, a woman may notice that a runny nose has started for no reason. This phenomenon is called rhinitis during pregnancy. It develops due to an increase in the volume of circulating blood. Most often, rhinitis develops in late pregnancy.

Smoking

Smoking is dangerous not only for pregnant women, but also for any other people. This habit causes oxygen starvation, which harms both the woman and her child. Because of this, breathing delays and snoring occur during sleep.

Possible risks

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Why women snore and how to get rid of it

Snoring usually does not pose a threat to mother or baby. This is more disturbing to loved ones who are forced to sleep nearby. But sometimes snoring can lead to a complication: apnea. This is stopping breathing during sleep for a short period of time.

Apnea syndrome is already a threatening condition. The longer the breath is held, the stronger the oxygen starvation of mother and baby. The walls of the larynx close completely at these moments. Oxygen does not enter the lungs at all. This situation can be repeated up to 400 times in one night. Of course, this cannot but affect your health. Mom wakes up in the morning broken and tired. The baby in the belly is also not happy. Regularly experienced oxygen starvation can lead to the development of serious pathologies.

Consequences of intrauterine hypoxia:

• improper development of the heart and blood vessels;
• brain damage;
• disorders in the development of the central nervous system;
• improper formation of other organs: kidneys, liver, lungs.

Intrauterine hypoxia can cause the baby to move more and may take an incorrect position. Multiple entanglements of the umbilical cord appear. They reduce the likelihood of spontaneous childbirth.

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Causes of snoring, symptoms and treatments

As you can see, snoring in pregnant women is not so harmless. As a result of numerous stops in breathing, gestosis can occur. It threatens not just the health, but also the life of the mother and baby.

What can be done if pregnant women experience snoring?

The main risk of snoring is the possibility of complete cessation of breathing during sleep. Many people snore. But only some are prone to sleep apnea. How to get rid of snoring and sleep apnea during pregnancy?