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Restless Nights

Answers to Common Sleep Concerns During Pregnancy

By Jacqueline Rupp

Snoring can be a symptom of two potentially dangerous conditions, so you should speak with your care provider right away. The first condition, pre-eclampsia, a type of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy, is associated with snoring. "Studies have found that pregnant women who snore are twice as likely to develop pre-eclampsia compared to those who do not snore," says Dr. Kryger. Pre-eclamspsia can result in low birth weight, kidney damage and seizures.

Sleep apnea, the second condition, is a sleep disorder in which the person affected actually stops breathing numerous times throughout the night. The disorder can be present and worsen during pregnancy or begin with pregnancy. Snoring and daytime sleepiness are the main symptoms. Because oxygen levels drop dramatically low when sleep apnea occurs, women with the disorder are at a higher risk for miscarriage. Therefore it is best to seek help immediately. A simple device worn over the nose, which increases pressure on breathing passages, is generally the treatment. "Another important reason to treat women who have sleep apnea is that after the baby's birth, the mother will have an increased amount of responsibilities," says Dr. Kryger. "This is not easy for any woman but is extremely difficult for a woman with untreated sleep apnea."

Want to see more?

• Sleep Deprived? Join the Club! A First-time Mom Tells It Like It Is
• Who Needs Sleep? 8 Reasons to Get Fewer Zzz's
• In Search of Slumber: Sleep Solutions for Moms-to-be of Multiples
• Talk about it!

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