Impact of Snoring During Pregnancy and How to Overcome It

Snoring during pregnancy can be caused by a variety of things, and usually gets worse after entering the third trimester. In order not to cause a negative impact on the health of pregnant women themselves and their fetuses, complaints of snoring during pregnancy should be addressed immediately. Snoring during pregnancy not only disrupts the comfort of a partner who is sleeping, but also can make the quality of sleep for pregnant women decline. This complaint can be caused by several things, such as nasal congestion due to allergies or colds, increased levels of the hormone estrogen during pregnancy, increased amount of blood and weight, enlargement of the uterus that suppresses the diaphragm, to sleep apnea.

This Impact Snoring When Pregnant

Snoring during pregnancy can be bad for both mother and fetus. Especially if pregnant women already have pregnancy complications or certain health problems. Pregnant women who snore are more at risk of developing the following diseases:

1. Preeclampsia

Some research shows that the habit of snoring during pregnancy can increase the risk of mothers experiencing preeclampsia. This is thought to occur because pregnant women who snore will breathe more through the mouth when sleeping. This breathing pattern will produce more carbon dioxide and make the oxygen levels in the body decrease. If you do not get treatment, over time this condition can cause increased blood pressure and increase the risk of preeclampsia. Pregnant women need to be vigilant if complaints of snoring have appeared with symptoms of preeclampsia, such as severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and swelling in the legs.

2. Depression during pregnancy

Snoring during pregnancy is also associated with an increased risk of depression. Snoring complaints caused by sleep apnea can cause the mother's sleep quality to be poor. As a result, mothers will often feel easily tired and underpowered. This is said to be one of the risk factors for pregnant women to experience depression.

3. Giving birth prematurely

Pregnant women who often snore tend to be more at risk of giving birth prematurely or giving birth to babies who are underweight. Most babies born to mothers who have trouble snoring sleep are also said to tend to have low Apgar values. This is thought to be caused by reduced blood flow and oxygen to the placenta and fetus due to snoring during pregnancy. Premature birth is a condition that needs to be watched out for because babies born too early are more prone to health problems, such as breathing, digestive, eye or ear problems, to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

4. Gestational diabetes

Frequent sleep snoring during pregnancy due to sleep apnea or obesity can increase stress hormones (cortisol) and increase blood sugar levels. In the long run, this can increase the risk of pregnant women sleeping snoring for gestational diabetes. In addition to some of the above health problems, pregnant women who have snoring sleep problems are also more at risk of requiring cesarean section during labor.

How to Overcome Snoring Habits During Pregnancy

If snoring during pregnancy is caused by a medical condition or disease, then the way to overcome it is by treating the underlying cause. In addition, snoring can also be overcome by applying the following steps:

1. Change sleeping position

Changing sleeping position can help reduce snoring habits, you know. Pregnant women are advised to sleep facing the left side and avoid sleeping position on their backs. In addition, pregnant women can also use an extra pillow so that the head is slightly raised higher to prevent snoring sleep.

2. Apply a healthy lifestyle

Applying a healthy lifestyle is an important step to maintain a healthy pregnancy condition while avoiding snoring habits. The trick is to drink water regularly, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, don't smoke, avoid cigarette smoke, and don't consume alcohol.

3. Use a nose widening device

Before going to bed, pregnant women can use a dilator or a dilator of the nostrils to help open the nasal passages to stay roomy. That way, pregnant women can breathe with relief and relieve snoring complaints during sleep.

4. Use an air moisturizer

The air is too dry can disrupt the respiratory tract and make pregnant women snore during sleep. To overcome this, try using an air humidifier or humidifier in the bedroom. To improve sleep quality, pregnant women can also add a few drops of essential oil according to the aroma you like.

5. Maintain body weight

Complaints of snoring during pregnancy are more at risk for pregnant women who are overweight or obese. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to control their weight during pregnancy. However, to determine how much weight targets to be achieved and what are safe ways to control weight during pregnancy, pregnant women needs to consult with an obstetrician first. If complaints of snoring during pregnancy occur occasionally and disappear by themselves, then it is not a condition that needs to be aware of. However, if the snoring complaints get worse or appear with other complaints, such as shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, or continue to be sleepy during the day, pregnant women are advised to immediately consult an obstetrician to get an examination and treatment.