Pregnancy changes a woman's body, from the appearance of an enlarged stomach to something that isn't immediately realized, such as the appearance of snoring. It is estimated that as many as 49% of pregnant women snore while sleeping, most of whom have never snored before pregnancy. Is snoring dangerous during pregnancy? Here are the causes, effects, and some tips you can do to reduce snoring.
Causes of snoring
In general, snoring is a sound caused by vibrations in the throat. It usually occurs when the airways for breathing are narrowed or obstructed by something, which sometimes happens because of the environment, for example, dry air. Below are several factors that could cause additional chances of snoring in pregnant women:
1. Increasing blood volume in the body.
When the gestational age has entered the third trimester, the blood plasma volume in the body is 40-50% more than before pregnancy. As a result, there will be swelling in the body, including in the respiratory tract, which obstructs airflow resulting in obstacles when breathing.
2. Weight gain
Weight gain causes a change in the way you breathe. Along with the enlargement of the uterus, the diaphragm muscle, which plays a role in the respiratory system, is pushed so that the space for movement becomes more limited. This results in less residual air capacity, which can affect the throat and cause snoring.
3. Changes in breathing pattern
Not only eat for two people, but pregnant women also breathe for two people during pregnancy! There are minor changes that sometimes you don't realize that there is an increase in the amount of air that is inhaled and exhaled within a certain period. This can overload the airways and cause snoring.
4. Increased hormone levels
The estrogen and progesterone hormones will increase during pregnancy to meet the growth of the fetus in the womb. This hormone increase causes life to become clogged or causes rhinitis due to pregnancy.
Is snoring during pregnancy dangerous?
Studies in 2014 and 2015 found that pregnant women who snore have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia, congenital disabilities requiring a cesarean section, and having a baby with a birth weight below average. However, all respondents in the study had a habit of snoring before pregnancy which was caused by other health factors. So if you have a snoring habit that starts with pregnancy, you don't need to worry. But if you had a habit of snoring before you were pregnant and it got worse during pregnancy, don't hesitate to consult your doctor immediately.
Tips to Reduce Snoring for Pregnant Women
Here are some tips that pregnant women can do to help relieve and even eliminate the habit of snoring while sleeping:
1. Avoid sleeping on your back and sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your back will compress the respiratory tract so that it can cause more severe snoring.
2. Watch your diet. Avoid excess weight gain during pregnancy by eating in moderation according to the nutritional needs of the mother and the baby.
3. Use an air humidifier. Air humidifiers help maintain humidity and prevent us from a dry air environment, making it easier for air to pass through the respiratory tract and avoid snoring.
Fortunately, if snoring only appears after pregnancy, then chances are that the habit will also disappear after birth. Communicate with your doctor if you feel your snoring habit is getting worse and doesn't get better even after trying to do the tips.
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Sources:
Marcin, A. & Stevens, S. (2022). Causes of Snoring During Pregnancy, and What to Do About It. Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/snoring-in-pregnancy.
Snore Lab. (2022). Snoring During Pregnancy. Snore Lab. [online]. https://www.snorelab.com/snoring-and-pregnancy/