During pregnancy, many women who normally did not usually do so may begin to snore while they sleep. It is one of the least known discomforts of pregnancy, absolutely harmless if it is not associated with other symptoms and provided it is controlled, because snoring in pregnancy could be a sign of hypertension, predisposing to increased risk of preeclampsia.
This is stated by a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the largest of its kind, according to which women who begin to snore when they are pregnant are at greater risk of suffering from high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
They observed that among more than 1,700 pregnant women over 28 weeks of gestation, 25% began to snore frequently during their pregnancy, doubling the risk of suffering from hypertension compared to women who don't snore.
Why is snoring more during pregnancy? Gestation hormones increase blood flow and nasal congestion with a sensation of plugging and difficulty breathing through the nose without getting a cold. Also, as you gain weight during pregnancy, some fat is stored around the throat and neck, which causes the airways to narrow.
Sleeping posture is also key. The pregnant woman usually sleeps on her back and in this posture it is more common to snore. To avoid this, it is better to sleep on your side, preferably on the left side to avoid pressing on the blood vessels that carry blood to the lungs.
Snoring can be a temporary nuisance in pregnancy but should not be neglected. The gynecologist should be informed if snoring occurs frequently to rule out that they are related to any complications such as hypertension, preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
Via | AJOG
Photo | cscott2006 on Flickr
In Babies and more | Snoring during pregnancy, How to relieve snoring during pregnancy
