Continue Putting Your Child First
Carrying a child is an exhausting task for mothers, but if they suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that affects the way oxygen flows to the lungs, it can make the experience even more challenging.
At Aragona Sleep, our primary focus is on your overall well-being. Dr. Aragona is a trusted sleep specialist who has dedicated his career to identifying, treating, and preventing sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, contact our office at (586) 522-4326. We’ll help you capture the good night’s rest that you and your child deserve.
Sleep Apnea, Snoring, and Pregnancy
OSA commonly occurs when throat muscles collapse and block the airway, restricting the amount of oxygen that can reach the lungs. While people often associate this sleep disorder with snoring, not everyone who snores has the condition.
However, pregnant women suffering from sleep apnea may snore violently. If you or a loved one snores so loudly that it makes a choking, gasping noise, we recommend contacting our office as soon as possible.
Sleep Apnea & Your Unborn Child
Sleep apnea is a severe medical condition that requires professional care. If left untreated, it can lead to hypertension, diabetes, and unplanned cesarean sections. Mothers have also encountered prolonged labor and fetal growth restrictions as a result.
In extreme cases, overweight mothers who suffer from sleep apnea can develop obesity hyperventilation syndrome (OHS). When this happens, your blood carbon dioxide levels rise, and blood sugar levels drop. Both of these effects can endanger the mother’s health and the health of the fetus.
Treating Sleep Apnea in Pregnant Women
Identifying and treating sleep apnea as early as possible is essential for ensuring that the mother and child will remain in good health. The most common form of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but most users find it restricting and stop using it.
Alternative treatments include:
- Positional Therapy: We can fight mild to moderate sleep apnea by merely adjusting how the sufferer sleeps at night. For example, positioning the mother on her side will help keep her airway open and limit the number of episodes she experiences.
- Oral Appliance Therapy: This mouthguard-like device shifts the lower jaw forward, keeping the airway open throughout the night.
- Upper Airway Surgery: In some extreme cases, surgery may be necessary to ensure that the mother and fetus get the optimal amount of oxygen. However, this is always a last resort.
Better Sleep for You and Your Child
At Aragona Sleep, we’re committed to helping you take back your sleep, and improve your quality of life. If you or a loved one is suffering from excessive snoring, daytime drowsiness, or any of the other sleep apnea symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
