Can pregnancy sleep apnea go away after birth?

Yes, in many cases sleep apnea symptoms that develop during pregnancy resolve after delivery. Once hormone levels rebalance and pregnancy weight comes off, the airway typically returns to its pre-pregnancy state. Persistent symptoms after birth should be evaluated by a sleep physician.

Why do I wake up gasping for air while pregnant?

Waking up gasping or choking during pregnancy can be a sign of pregnancy-onset obstructive sleep apnea. Hormonal changes and weight gain narrow the upper airway, causing repeated breathing pauses that trigger the brain to wake you up. If this happens regularly, talk to your OB or sleep specialist about a sleep study.

Is sleep apnea dangerous during pregnancy?

Yes. Untreated sleep apnea in pregnancy is associated with higher rates of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, C-section delivery, and NICU admissions for the newborn due to respiratory distress. Diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce these risks.

How is sleep apnea treated during pregnancy?

CPAP is considered safe in pregnancy and is the most common treatment. Sleeping on your side rather than your back also helps, as does keeping pregnancy weight gain within recommended ranges. Always coordinate care between your sleep physician and your OB.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Pregnancy

Because men are twice as likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea as women, it is often thought of as being a "male disease." While most risk factors for the disease apply to men, research is showing that more and more women are also at risk for the sleep disorder. In fact, an exclusively female condition can often cause sleep apnea symptoms—and that condition is pregnancy.

Unfortunately, suffering from sleep apnea during pregnancy can have dangerous effects on both mother and child.

Why pregnancy can trigger sleep apnea

For pregnant women, sleep apnea can be caused by the many hormonal changes that take place in the female body during pregnancy, as well as the weight gain associated with pregnancy. The resulting periods of no breathing during the night create a lack of oxygen, putting the female mind into "fight or flight" mode.

Risks for the mother

The body then pumps out massive amounts of adrenaline and cortisol, leading to blood pressure increases (possible preeclampsia) as well as immense glucose production, heightening the risk of diabetes. There is greater risk for women who are already heavy before pregnancy and become obese through weight gain.

Risks for the baby

A study by the University of South Florida found that newborns whose mothers were diagnosed with sleep apnea are far more likely to wind up in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), most commonly from respiratory distress. This was thought to be because of the increase in C-section births from mothers with sleep apnea.

Does pregnancy sleep apnea go away?

While sleep apnea symptoms can develop during pregnancy, they can also go away after the birth occurs because the hormones become balanced again and the baby weight comes off.

What to do if you suspect sleep apnea while pregnant

As a CPAP provider, Advanced Sleep Medicine encourages pregnant mothers and their partners to know the signs of sleep apnea so that the right steps can be taken for treatment. This can help ensure better health for you and your child.