Sleeping snoring during late pregnancy, is there any effect on the baby in the womb?

Even though you never snored before, you can start snoring when you are pregnant - especially during late pregnancy. Is this normal or does this indicate a danger? Check out the reviews below.

Sleeping snoring during late pregnancy, is it normal?

Sleeping snoring during late pregnancy is a natural thing. The growing circumference of the stomach and uterus in this trimester will press on the diaphragm (the divider between the chest and abdominal cavity), so that it squeezes the lungs to be able to breathe normally. In addition, pregnancy also causes the blood vessels in the nasal passages to swell and block the airways.

Plus, body weight usually increases with gestational age. The accumulation of fat around the neck can narrow the throat space. As a result, you can't let air out freely through your throat and nose.

The position of sleeping on your back can also block the passage of air in and out throughout the night. This position makes the tongue pushed back over the oral cavity. Every time you breathe, the tissue around your airway vibrates as the air flows from your lungs. The result is a loud, annoying snoring sound. That's why pregnant women are not advised to sleep on their backs.

But, be careful if…

Sleeping snoring while pregnant is natural, but you also still have to be careful and have it checked further by your doctor when accompanied by other signs.

Reported on the Prevention page, Louise M. O'Brien, PhD, MS, a professor at the University of Michigan's Sleep Disorders Center said that immediately consult a doctor if your snoring habit during your pregnancy:

• Happens more than 3 nights a week.
• Causes you to wake up to sleep in the middle of the night gasping for breath.
• Causes you to have high blood pressure.

This is not a normal sleep pattern, it can even be a sign of a sleep disorder. In fact, snoring during pregnancy can indicate a more serious health condition.

Snoring during late pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia and low birth weight babies (LBW)

A study published in the Sleep Journal shows that 3 consecutive nights of snoring during late pregnancy, or even more, can increase the risk of possible cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, and giving birth to a low weight baby (LBW). These findings were reported after observing 1673 pregnant women who slept snoring while pregnant in their third trimester.

It's not certain what causes it, but according to O'Brien, sleep disturbances caused by snoring can trigger inflammation of the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels). O'Brien also suspects that the inflammation affects the blood vessels that connect to the placenta.

Inflamed placental blood vessels will eventually block the flow of nutrient-rich blood that is channeled to the baby. As a result, this can affect the growth and development of the baby in the womb. Babies who are born can have less weight due to lack of nutritional intake that should be distributed properly.

In addition, O'Brien also said that women who snore quite often during pregnancy are also at higher risk of developing preeclampsia. So in addition to the signs of snoring to watch out for above, you should also pay attention to these conditions:

• Drowsiness during the day
• Headaches don't go away
• Swollen foot

The researchers recommend pregnant women who experience the various symptoms that have been mentioned to consult a doctor immediately. This is important to ensure the health of the baby and a smooth delivery later.

What can be done to reduce snoring sleep?

• Sleep on your side with your head slightly elevated.
• Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and taking sleeping pills, all three of which make the airway close more easily.
• Keep gaining weight during pregnancy according to the recommended recommendations.
• Get regular exercise

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