Yes, it’s true that pregnancy may lead to OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which your airways become blocked during sleep. Weight gain is one of the key risk factors in developing OSA, and pregnancy is no exception! If you gain 20-35 pounds during pregnancy, you could be at risk for developing OSA even if you did not previously have it.

Not all pregnant women will develop OSA, but it’s something to look out for while pregnant. If left untreated for an extended period of time, OSA can contribute to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.

OSA during pregnancy may effect more than just your own health. One study found that pregant women with OSA were 300% more likely to require a C-section than those without. Of those women, their newborns were more likely to require in the NICU.

It’s important to understand your risk of OSA and to get the testing and treatment you need quickly. Treatment of sleep apnea is a very effective way to manage OSA without putting yourself or your unborn child at risk.

Author Kai Peterson Marketing Manager