How To Stop Snoring During Pregnancy, Causes, and its Remedies

Last Updated: December 9, 2021

Snoring may be extremely humiliating when pregnant. But don’t panic about snoring during pregnancy; it’s fairly common, affecting about a quarter of all women. It generally starts in the third trimester and ends after you give birth. It can potentially indicate a medical problem, so bring it up with your gynecologist at your next appointment.

The British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association estimates that 23% of women have the habit of snoring during pregnancy. So, while you may sound like a bear, you can rest easy knowing that you’re not the only one who enjoys making a racket late at night.

Snoring during pregnancy is caused by two primary factors:

Hormones & gaining weight

Hormone fluctuations constrict blood arteries and cause mucous membranes in your nose to expand. As a result of the congestion and constriction of your nasal passages, you must breathe via your mouth when sleeping, which causes you to snore.

Causes of Snoring During Pregnancy

Have you ever wondered why women who are pregnant snore? Some of the most prevalent reasons for snoring during pregnancy include:

Congestion in the nose:

The amount of blood in your body rises during pregnancy, and your blood vessels thicken as a result. Swollen blood vessels obstruct your nasal tube, making breathing harder and causing snoring during pregnancy. In addition to nasal congestion and snoring, a high amount of estrogen promotes the thickening of the mucous membrane in your nose.

Nasal congestion caused by a cold, flu, or allergy is another typical reason.

Increasing Weight:

The more weight you gain, the more difficult it will be to breathe since additional fat accumulates in your neck and throat region when you gain weight. Excess weight might make it difficult to breathe.

Apnea (sleep deprivation):

Snoring during pregnancy can also be caused by obstructive sleep apnea. This is a medical problem that requires care, so bring it up at your next prenatal appointment. If you snore loudly and regularly, you may have this condition. In your sleep, you may make snorting or gasping sounds. Sleep apnea is a disorder in which your airways get clogged, leading you to cease breathing while sleeping. This may have an impact on the baby as well, since it may induce oxygen deprivation in both your body and the baby. This disease is often addressed by sleeping with a machine connected to your nose.

When you’re pregnant, there’s a risk of snoring.

Snoring during pregnancy might be dangerous to the baby. Snoring women had a higher chance of having smaller infants and are more likely to have a C-section birth, according to the University of Michigan’s sleep study center. If you snore more than three times per week, you should see a doctor for medical help.

The majority of chronic snoring moms will give birth to a baby in the tenth percentile in weight. This demonstrates that it makes no difference whether you snore before or after pregnancy. However, if you are snoring and gasping for air while sleeping, you should visit a doctor. This might endanger the infant. Due to the enlargement of blood vessels caused by pregnancy weight increase, blood flow to the placenta may be restricted, affecting your kid’s growth since nutrients and blood may not reach the baby in sufficient quantities. There’s no need to be concerned; everything will be OK.

Snoring during pregnancy might potentially be a sign of gestational diabetes. To rule out this possibility, you should perform a glucose tolerance test.

An IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) is another concern, which can result in smaller infants with developmental problems. A frequent ultrasound check can help with this.

Snoring can also lead to preeclampsia, a severe condition that causes preterm delivery and can be deadly.

How to Stop Snoring During Pregnancy, Remedies?

Here are a few simple snoring during pregnancyremedies available. Here are some home treatments to consider:

Nasal Strips: Nasal strips for snoring during pregnancy are readily accessible and simple to use in pharmacies. They’re drug-free, so they’re perfectly safe to use throughout pregnancy. It’s as simple as sticking it on your nose before going to bed.

If your snoring is caused by nasal congestion, use a warm mist humidifier in your bedroom while sleeping to relieve it. Humidifiers may be found on almost any internet buying site. They are available in a variety of lengths based on the number of hours.

Choose anything with at least 8 hours of sleep to ensure a restful night’s sleep.

Sleeping on your side has several advantages:

Because sleeping upright is impossible during pregnancy, you’ll already be doing this, but remember to lie on your left side for improved blood circulation and sleep.

Height of the Head:

If you sleep with your head on the bed, consider sleeping with two pillows instead of one, and keep your head raised to allow for unobstructed circulation via your nostrils. This will help you breathe easier and stop snoring.

Eat Healthily:

Weight growth is typical during pregnancy, but you must keep track of it and avoid gaining too much weight because it is tough to lose those additional pounds once the baby is born. Snoring during pregnancy is caused by excess weight gain, so eat well and remain healthy.

Plugs for the ears:

Earplugs for your boyfriend may be beneficial if he is suffering from sleep deprivation as a result of your snoring. Husbands might also struggle with sleep deprivation.

Do I have a higher chance of having a C-section if I snore?

This may appear to be an odd question, but believe it or not, there is some truth to it. Snorers are more likely to have low birthweight kids and/or Caesarean sections, according to a new study.

Chronic snoring, according to US experts, might be a symptom of respiratory difficulties, which could damage your baby’s oxygen supply. Chronic snoring, on the other hand, refers to women who snore often and loudly both before and throughout pregnancy.

A chronic snorer is up to two-thirds more likely to have a low-birth-weight baby and twice as likely to require a C-section, according to the study. Snorers, on the other hand, do not have to suffer.

Final Conclusion

Snoring may appear to be a minor condition, but it might signify significant problems during pregnancy. The changes that occur during pregnancy may be rapid, and adding the discomfort of snoring to the mix seems unjust. If you started snoring while pregnant, you’re more than likely to cease once you’ve given birth.

While there is some evidence that snoring increases the risk of problems, especially if you are new to snoring, don’t be too alarmed if you discover yourself snoring while pregnant. Try a couple of these suggestions, and if your snoring persists, speak with your prenatal care provider.

Snoring During Pregnancy FAQs

1) Is it normal to snore during pregnancy?

When you're pregnant, it's entirely natural to snore. Swelling in the upper airway, weight growth, and breathing for two all combine to increase your chances of snoring.

2) Can snoring hurt the baby?

According to a study published in the journal Sleep by the University of Michigan, pregnant women who snore three or more nights per week "had a greater chance of Cesarean sections and babies with lower birth weights." Snoring mothers are two-thirds more likely to have a kid that is born below the tenth percentile.

3) When should I be worried about snoring?

Snoring is frequently linked to a sleep condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Not all snorers have OSA, but if your snoring is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should contact a doctor for an OSA evaluation: During sleep, I noticed breathing pauses. Excessive drowsiness during the day.

4) Does snoring get worse when pregnant?

Unfortunately, as pregnancy advances, snoring and congestion tend to grow worse. The good news is that if you began snoring during pregnancy, you will most likely stop when your kid is delivered.

5) Does the baby sleep in the womb when the mother sleeps?

Yes. In reality, infants spend the majority of their time in the womb asleep, as far as we can determine. They spend about 95% of their time sleeping between 38 and 40 weeks of pregnancy.

6) Can I sleep on my right side while pregnant?

To offer you and your baby the best blood flow, doctors recommend sleeping on your side — right or left. You may also use some cushion props to help you get into the most comfortable position. Before your kid is born, get as much sleep as you can.

7) How many hours a pregnant woman should sleep?

Women who are used to obtaining eight hours of sleep every night may require up to ten during pregnancy. However, some women spend less time in bed in the weeks preceding up to their pregnancy, averaging six to seven hours rather than the usual eight. Those women may be more preoccupied with their job and household obligations.

8) Is the mouth breathing badly during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, bad breath is a frequent nuisance. If you have severe foul breath that won't go away or any other symptoms, you should seek medical attention. In some situations, the underlying reason for foul breath may require therapy. During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of changes.

9) Do parents' snoring affect baby sleep?

Women who snore three or more nights a week have a greater chance of poor delivery outcomes, including smaller infants and Caesarean deliveries, according to researchers. Chronic snorers, who snored both before and throughout pregnancy, had a two-thirds higher chance of having a baby in the lowest 10% of the weight.

10) Should I worry about baby snoring?

While snoring in babies is normally not a cause for concern, if your child snores for four nights in a row or has other symptoms, consult your pediatrician.

11) Is there any cure for snoring?

Many snoring treatments are available over-the-counter in pharmacies, but most do not cure snoring. There are, however, several steps you can take to put an end to your snoring. Here are some tips for the occasional snorer: Lose weight and improve your eating habits.

12) Is it normal for a 1-year-old to snore?

While over half of all adults snore on occasion, children's snoring is less common. Is it a cause for concern if your children snore? Only one out of every ten children snore. However, this may not always imply a problem.

13) Is snoring every night normally?

While snoring is fairly common, it is not normal, and snoring frequently indicates a larger problem. If you snore every night, it's a symptom that the air in your nose and throat isn't moving freely and that your breathing routes are obstructed in some manner.

On behalf of the editorial team at Parenthoodbliss, we follow strict reporting guidelines and only use credible sources, along with peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and highly respected health organizations. To learn about how we maintain content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

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