Snoring while pregnant can affect both you and your unborn baby. Is it normal to snore while pregnant, why does it start? Does it go away? Are nasal strips the answer? Your questions answered.
Why Women Start Snoring During Pregnancy
Snoring becomes a problem for many women during pregnancy, but why does it happen and how can you stop it? If you or your partner are affected by this issue these are the two questions that are probably most dominant in your mind.
Nobody likes to lie awake listening to their partner snoring away but it’s not a problem that only affects the ones who we love.
Some pregnant women find their snoring becomes loud enough to pull them out of their own slumber. Then, as soon as they drop off to sleep again it’s a case of rinse and repeat.
Did you ever hear that old saying about a problem that’s shared is a problem that’s halved? That’s certainly not the case with snoring. All that bugling from the pillow beside you can place an incredible strain on relationships.
Bring in all the hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and it can be a recipe for disaster. Your partner becomes a little irritable about your snoring and you go to Defcon 1.
Of course, you both know it will all come good in the end. When little Jr. finally arrives it will all seem worthwhile.
It’s one of life’s mysteries though. Why do women who don’t normally snore suddenly begin doing so when they become pregnant? Fortunately, it’s a mystery that’s easily solved.
Reason’s Why Pregnant Women Snore
Snoring during pregnancy can come about due to a number of reasons. When you are pregnant your body goes through a lot of changes. Weight gain and abnormal blood pressure are just two of them. A sudden onset of snoring may be the result of any one of these changes or a combination of several.
If you or your partner are presently having your lives disrupted by this problem we understand how frustrating it can be.
Rather than leave you struggling in the dark, we’ve put together a short list that contains some of the main reasons your pregnancy may have caused you to suddenly start snoring.
1. Increased Estrogen Levels
Hormonal changes cause so many other issues for women it probably won’t come as a surprise to learn snoring while pregnant is often caused by skyrocketing estrogen levels.
The increase in estrogen can inflame the mucous membrane. This may then partially obstruct the nasal passage leading to breathing difficulties and snoring.
The presence of extra estrogen may also result in increases in mucus production. This also has the potential to block the nasal passage and cause you to snore.
2. Weight Gain
Weight gain during pregnancy is inevitable. Apart from the fact that you are eating for two, you also have a new little body growing inside of you.
The amount of fat gain you gain and where the deposits form is a matter of genetics but some women gain fat around the neck and throat.
The extra pressure this places on the throat and surrounding areas may cause a slight narrowing of the airways which may result in snoring.
3. Swelling
During pregnancy, your body carries around more blood than it normally would. This causes the blood vessels to dilate to accommodate its presence.
This dilation of the blood vessels occurs all over the body including the nasal membranes which then become slightly swollen and may make you snore.
4. Fatigue
All the hard work is not confined to the delivery room. The months leading up to your child’s birth also take their toll on your body. Being pregnant is hard work so it’s not surprising that fatigue can set in.
Because your pregnancy may make you unusually tired, the sleep you fall into may be unusually deep. During a deep sleep like this, the muscles around your throat may relax more than they normally would. Again, this can block your airways and make you begin snoring.
5. Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a medical condition that affects men and women of all ages. Some pregnant women are affected by sleep apnea too.
Apart from causing snoring, sleep apnea can block your airways enough to make you stop breathing. If you think you may have sleep apnea I strongly suggest you visit your doctor and get some expert advice.
6. Colds, Flu, and Allergies
Colds and flu can cause you to begin snoring during pregnancy as well. Allergies may do it too. Again, this is largely due to blockages in the nasal passage.
The good news is if you’re are snoring while pregnant for any of these reasons the problem may only be short-term.
How Common is Snoring During Pregnancy?
As many as eight in ten women have this problem. It’s very common, so don’t worry, you and your partner aren’t suffering alone.
The problem often appears during the third trimester but it can kick-in during other stages of pregnancy as well.
How to Stop Snoring During Pregnancy
Although there are plenty of different things you can do to try and control snoring during pregnancy, there are no guarantees any of them will work.
The method that works for one woman may not work for the next. The thing to remember is, like the baby inside you, you are unique.
However, here’s a list of things that help some women to stop snoring. With any luck, you may find one or more that works for you too.
1. Sleep on your Left Side
Some sleeping positions are more likely to encourage snoring than