Pregnant woman asleep in bed

Health Complications of Sleep Apnea

Co-authored by Keelyn Ross

7 Warning Signs From The Body That It's Low On Oxygen

1. Fatigue

2. Snoring

3. Gasping while trying to sleep

4. Excessive daytime sleepiness

5. Irritability

6. Excessively dry mouth

7. Asthma

What do sleep apnea and pregnancy have in common?

What prevents people from getting treatment?

With the negative impact sleep apnea can have on an expecting mother and her intrauterine fetus (until 24 weeks), it would seem swift action toward cure would be second nature; unfortunately this is not the case. Many healthcare practitioners view snoring and fatigue as normal and therefore do not assist the mother-to-be toward gaining a sleep study. Instead, she is pointed toward the bedding section of a department store and/or given sleep aids. It is important to recognize that just because something is common does not make it acceptable. Another reason why sleep apnea is disregarded as a real threat is because it is difficult to detect without knowing what signs to look for. Snoring is an obvious red flag, but not always an accessible clue, especially if someone lives alone. Fatigue might be a sleep apnea sign, but it could also be the result of a difficult pregnancy.

What will a sleep study do?

Approximately 85% of Americans who have sleep apnea are undiagnosed; additional research is needed for among pregnant women. Sleep apnea exacerbates current conditions or creates a pathway for new ones making a sleep study that much more of a priority for an expectant mother and her intrauterine child. A sleep study is a fast way to measure the amount of oxygen a mother has access to and serves as a compass in knowing what intervention methods are needed. Sleep specialists understand the importance of her situation and will be able to assist with the process. Sleep apnea during pregnancy is something that can be treated and the harmful effects to the baby from lack of oxygen can most certainly be prevented. With what we are learning in the realm of sleep-disordered breathing, there is no reason for a mother or her baby to have insufficient access to oxygen. Instead of worrying if her baby is getting the nutrients needed for healthy development, an expectant mother can prepare for an exciting future.

Additional References:

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Ravishankar, S., Bourjeily, G., Lambert-Messerlian, G., He, M., Paepe, M. E., & Gündoğan, F. (2015). Evidence of Placental Hypoxia in Maternal Sleep Disordered Breathing. Pediatric and Developmental Pathology, 18(5), 380-386. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26186234

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Williams, M. A., Gelaye, B., Qiu, C., Fida, N., & Cripe, S. M. (2011). Habitual Snoring and Asthma Comorbidity Among Pregnant Women. J Asthma Journal of Asthma, 48(1), 91-97. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21091394

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