Snoring is a common symptom experienced by many people, but during pregnancy, it can become more frequent and intense. For some expectant mothers, the question arises: do you snore more when pregnant? The answer is often yes. As the body undergoes hormonal and physical changes, snoring in pregnancy can become a nightly occurrence. But snoring in pregnancy, will it go away after childbirth? And if not, how to stop this safely?
To answer these important questions, we turn to Dr. Aditi Desai, a leading UK-based expert in dental sleep medicine and the President of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine. With over 25 years of clinical experience and a compassionate, patient-first approach, Dr. Desai provides innovative treatment solutions for those dealing with snoring in pregnancy.
Why Do You Snore More When Pregnant?
The increased incidence of this condition is tied to several physiological changes:
- Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone lead to increased blood flow and swelling in the mucous membranes of the nose, making the nasal passages narrower.
- Weight Gain: As pregnancy progresses, natural weight gain, particularly around the neck and throat area, increases the likelihood of airway obstruction during sleep.
- Fluid Retention: Pregnant women retain more fluids, which can accumulate in the upper airway tissues, making them more prone to collapse.
- Sleep Positioning: Lying on your back during late pregnancy can worsen snoring due to gravity’s effect on the airways.
So, do you snore more when pregnant? Statistically, yes – around 30% of pregnant women report frequent snoring, especially during the third trimester.
Snoring in Pregnancy Will It Go Away?
One of the most common concerns among expecting mothers is: snoring in pregnancy will it go away after childbirth? The answer largely depends on the underlying causes.
For many, this condition resolves once hormone levels normalize and the physical changes of pregnancy reverse. However, for some women, especially those who had mild snoring before pregnancy, the condition may persist postpartum.
Persistent snoring can also be an indicator of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition that deserves medical attention, particularly if it’s accompanied by choking, gasping, or severe fatigue during the day.
Risks of Snoring in Pregnancy
While occasional snoring may seem harmless, habitual snoring in pregnancy can pose risks to both mother and baby. Research shows that chronic snoring in the later stages of pregnancy is linked with:
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes
- Poor sleep quality
- Reduced oxygen supply to the fetus
- Increased likelihood of Cesarean delivery
It’s important not to ignore this condition, especially if it worsens over time.
How to Stop Snoring in Pregnancy: Safe and Effective Solutions
If you’re wondering how to stop snoring in pregnancy, know that many lifestyle interventions and treatments can help, without risk to your developing baby. However, any approach must be personalized, and this is where Dr. Aditi Desai’s expertise becomes invaluable.
Dr. Aditi Desai: A Pioneer in Treating Pregnancy Snoring
Dr. Aditi Desai is a distinguished dental sleep medicine specialist and a trusted figure for those seeking non-invasive, effective treatments for snoring in pregnancy. Through her clinics in London and partnerships with top sleep consultants, Dr. Desai offers several tailored solutions for pregnant women.
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
Before recommending any treatment, Dr. Desai conducts a thorough assessment, which may include:
- Sleep history and pattern evaluation
- Physical examination of the airway
- Collaboration with sleep physicians to rule out sleep apnoea
Identifying the root cause of snoring in pregnancy ensures that the treatment is effective and appropriate for both mother and child.
Positional Therapy
For many pregnant women, how to stop snoring in pregnancy begins with positional awareness. Sleeping on your side, particularly the left, can significantly reduce snoring.
Dr. Desai offers wearable positional devices and provides ergonomic sleep coaching to help reinforce better sleep posture, reducing the frequency of these effects.
Nasal Airway Management
Blocked nasal passages can be a significant contributor to snoring in pregnancy. Dr. Desai may recommend:
- Nasal dilators to widen the nasal passage
- Saline sprays to reduce inflammation
- Safe antihistamines (with medical approval) if allergies are contributing to the blockage.
These simple solutions can drastically improve airflow and reduce snoring episodes.
Bespoke Oral Appliances
One of the most innovative solutions Dr. Desai provides is custom-fitted oral appliances, non-invasive devices that gently reposition the jaw to keep the airway open during sleep.
While not all pregnant women will be suitable candidates, many benefit from these comfortable and removable devices that have no impact on the baby and provide immediate relief from snoring in pregnancy.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Dr. Desai emphasizes continuous monitoring throughout pregnancy to track changes in sleep patterns and adjust treatments accordingly. This patient-centric approach ensures that every intervention remains safe and effective.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Snoring in Pregnancy
While medical and dental interventions can be highly effective, many women find significant relief from this condition by making simple lifestyle adjustments. These changes can work independently or alongside professional treatments like those offered by Dr. Aditi Desai. If you’re asking yourself how to stop snoring in pregnancy naturally and safely, here are the most helpful strategies:
1. Adopt Side-Sleeping Early
Sleeping on your side – especially the left side – not only helps reduce this effect but also improves blood flow to the baby. Lying on your back can cause the uterus to compress major blood vessels and the airway, worsening snoring and potentially leading to dizziness or low oxygen levels.
Pro Tip: Use a full-body pregnancy pillow to support your back, belly, and knees. These pillows keep you in a comfortable side-sleeping position all night.
2. Elevate Your Head and Upper Body
Raising your head by about 30–45 degrees using pillows or an adjustable bed frame can improve airflow through your nasal passages. This elevation reduces the risk of the throat tissue collapsing into the airway, one of the main causes of snoring in pregnancy.
Dr. Desai’s Advice: Use a wedge pillow or elevate the head of your bed with risers. Avoid stacking multiple pillows, which can cause neck strain.
3. Stay Well Hydrated
Dehydration can thicken the mucus in your airways, leading to increased snoring. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep mucous membranes moist and promotes smoother airflow.
Guidance: Aim for at least 8–10 glasses of water daily. Reduce fluid intake in the two hours before bedtime to minimize nighttime bathroom visits.
4. Limit Late-Night Eating
Eating heavy meals late in the evening can cause acid reflux, which irritates the throat and nasal passages, triggering or worsening snoring in pregnancy.
Best Practice: Have your last meal at least two to three hours before bedtime. Avoid spicy, greasy, or acidic foods at night.
5. Watch Pregnancy Weight Gain
Gaining weight during pregnancy is natural and essential, but excessive gain, especially around the neck and chest, can restrict airflow. Maintaining a healthy weight gain, per your obstetrician’s guidelines, can reduce pressure on the respiratory system.
Note: Never attempt to diet or lose weight during pregnancy without your healthcare provider’s guidance.
Addressing the Emotional Toll
Snoring in pregnancy is not just a physical issue: it can impact emotional well-being and relationship dynamics. Many women feel self-conscious about their snoring, and partners may experience disrupted sleep. Dr. Desai is particularly attentive to these concerns, offering support not only to the patient but also to their partners, helping everyone in the household sleep better.
When to Seek Help
Occasional snoring may not be cause for alarm, but persistent or loud snoring in pregnancy, especially when combined with other symptoms, can indicate a more serious condition like sleep apnoea. Knowing when to seek help is essential for both maternal and fetal health.
Consider seeing a sleep specialist or consulting with an expert like Dr. Aditi Desai if you or your partner notice the following:
1. Loud, Chronic Snoring
If your snoring is loud enough to wake your partner – or yourself – it could be a sign that your airway is partially obstructed. This level of snoring is not just annoying; it may be compromising your oxygen intake at night.
2. Breathing Pauses or Choking Sounds During Sleep
One of the hallmark symptoms of sleep apnoea is gasping or choking during sleep. These breathing interruptions can lead to oxygen deprivation and poor sleep quality, which may negatively affect fetal development.
3. Severe Daytime Fatigue
Excessive tiredness, trouble concentrating, or frequent headaches could be signs that you’re not getting restorative sleep. This may result from fragmented breathing caused by snoring in pregnancy.
4. Morning Headaches or Dry Mouth
These can indicate poor oxygenation or open-mouth breathing during sleep, both warning signs of compromised nighttime breathing.
5. Swelling in Hands, Feet, or Face
Excessive fluid retention can sometimes exacerbate snoring, and when combined with high blood pressure, may signal preeclampsia. Sleep-disordered breathing can worsen this condition.
6. High Blood Pressure or Gestational Diabetes
Both of these conditions are associated with poor sleep quality and oxygen levels. If you have been diagnosed with either, addressing snoring in pregnancy becomes even more important.
So, do you snore more when pregnant? Quite possibly. But more importantly, there are effective ways to manage and treat this condition. For those wondering, will snoring in pregnancy go away after delivery? In many cases, yes, but persistent cases should not be ignored.
Dr. Aditi Desai offers a rare combination of clinical precision, advanced technology, and compassionate care tailored for expecting mothers. If you’re searching for expert advice on how to stop snoring in pregnancy, her approach provides safe, tested, and deeply personalized solutions.
Don’t let snoring in pregnancy rob you of rest or peace of mind. With professional support, a good night’s sleep is possible for you and your baby.
