Snoring During Pregnancy: Causes And Remedies To Manage It

Fatigue, allergies, and nasal congestion are common reasons that might lead to it.

Written by Sanjana Bhattacharjee

Last Updated on Nov 21, 2014

Image: Shutterstock

In This Article

Snoring during pregnancy is a normal occurrence. It usually happens due to the swelling up of the nasal tissues, changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, and pregnancy-related weight gain.

Some women who already snored before becoming pregnant may notice changes in their snoring patterns. While snoring is seldom harmful, some research indicates that snoring could be associated with sleep-disordered breathing, which might lead to other complications (1).

Read on to know more about the causes of snoring while pregnant and signs when you should consult your doctor.

Is Snoring Common During Pregnancy?

Habitual snoring (three to more nights per week) can be common during pregnancy and may increase as the pregnancy progresses. Studies note that the frequency of habitual snoring increases from 7-11% in the first trimester to 16-25% in the third trimester (2).

Snoring could be harmless most of the time, but in some cases, it could indicate an underlying condition that could impact the mother and the baby.

Knowing what causes snoring is essential to tackle it the right way.

What Are The Causes Of Snoring During Pregnancy?

The following are some of the possible causes of snoring during pregnancy.

Nasal congestion: The increasing estrogen levels during pregnancy might result in the swelling of the mucous membrane along the nasal passages. It could increase the production of mucus, leading to congestion in the nasal cavity and ultimately snoring. Also, an increase in the blood volume may expand the blood vessels, causing a swelling of the nasal membranes. This could make breathing difficult and may result in snoring (3).
Fatigue: You may feel extremely tired when you are pregnant. This could lead to a deep slumber, during which you might lose control over the throat muscles. The muscles become too relaxed and may obstruct the airways, causing vibrations as you breathe, creating the snoring sound.
Weight gain: The increasing weight during pregnancy might add some extra fat to your neck and throat regions as well. This excess tissue may compress the airways, make breathing difficult, and cause snoring (4).
Sleep apnea: Loud snoring could be one of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is a condition where you stop breathing abruptly during sleep, due to a blockage in the airways. OSA has other symptoms, such as gasping noises and daytime sleepiness (5).
Colds and allergies: Cold, flu, or allergies might also lead to snoring since they result in nasal congestion, which could make breathing difficult (6).

Besides these causes, women with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, sleep disorders, and conditions that cause chronic nasal congestion could be at a higher risk of developing snoring during pregnancy.

Does Snoring Impact Pregnancy?

Snoring may not be a cause for concern. But if it is, it is important to know how to identify it and seek medical intervention.
One study of 189 pregnant women, conducted at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, states that snoring could indicate a risk for the mother and the baby in the following cases (7).

Habitual snoring is associated with poor outcomes for both the mom and the baby, including the risk of cesarean section and small for gestational age babies.
Another complication might be intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which may cause smaller babies with developmental delays (8). If snoring is due to an underlying medical condition, then treating the condition could stop the snoring as well.

Is Snoring In Pregnancy A Sign Of An Underlying Problem?

According to a study by the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, snoring during pregnancy could be a risk factor for developing gestational diabetes (7).

Snoring has also been associated with sleep-disordered breathing, a group of breathing disorders that includes sleep apnea. Therefore, if you notice frequent snoring during pregnancy, consult a doctor to determine if snoring indicates an underlying problem (9).

Can You Stop Snoring When Pregnant?

You may try these simple remedies to manage snoring (10).

Nasal sprays or strips might clear the obstruction of the nasal passages and could prevent snoring. Consult your doctor before using them since some of them contain medications.
A warm-mist humidifier in your bedroom could treat your nasal congestion and give relief from snoring. Choose a humidifier that works for eight hours or more for undisturbed sleep.
Sleep on your left side to improve blood circulation and sleep soundly.
Elevate your head with at least two pillows to allow the free flow of air. This might ease breathing and reduce snoring.
Watch your eating habits to avoid amassing more calories than needed. Excess weight gain could be one of the reasons for snoring. Therefore, watch what you eat and avoid foods with zero nutritional value.
Quit smoking, alcohol, and sleeping pills as they might block the airways and result in snoring. They are also dangerous for both the pregnant mom and the baby.

If these remedies don’t help and your snoring is making you uncomfortable, you should visit the doctor.

When Will Snoring Go Away?

You are likely to stop snoring after delivering the baby. If not immediately, you might be free of it after pregnancy, as you lose the baby weight.

Do Pregnant Women Snore More Than Others?

Pregnant women are likely to snore more than non-pregnant women because of their increasing estrogen levels, belly, and blood circulation. Those who never snored before pregnancy may develop the condition during pregnancy (11).

Does Pregnancy Snoring Worsen If You Already Snore?

A study noted women reporting an increase in their snoring during pregnancy, especially as they progressed in their pregnancy, from the first to the last trimester (11).

Pregnancy may lead to conditions that are risk factors for snoring, such as weight gain due to edema. The effects of these conditions might be compounded if you already snore. Nevertheless, more research is needed to determine how pregnancy affects snoring in women who already snore.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does snoring during pregnancy say something about gender?

Snoring might be associated with pregnancy-related complications such as gestational diabetes and having LGA babies (12). However, there is insufficient research to show an association between snoring and fetal gender

2. Is snoring a sign of preeclampsia?

Studies show that a new onset of snoring during pregnancy might increase the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia for the expectant mother (13).

3. When does snoring usually start during pregnancy?

It is commonly observed that expectant mothers with no history of snoring usually start to snore by the third trimester of their pregnancy. However, it is usually a temporary occurrence and will go away on its own after childbirth (14).

Snoring during pregnancy is most likely to resolve after childbirth. Swelling in the nasal tissues and changes in hormonal levels, especially during the third trimester, may cause snoring in pregnant women. Other risk factors include nasal congestion, fatigue, weight gain, and sleep apnea. The condition is usually harmless but may indicate some underlying health condition in rare cases. A warm mist humidifier, altering sleep positions, and a healthy lifestyle may help reduce snoring during pregnancy. Consult a doctor if you have excessive snoring and other symptoms such as difficulty breathing or sleep disturbances.

Key Pointers

Pregnancy snoring is common and seldom causes any adverse effects on maternal and fetal health.
It is usually a temporary phenomenon and is mostly triggered by weight gain and hormonal changes.
You can easily manage snoring with the help of simple interventions, such as elevating the head while asleep and using a humidifier.
If the snoring is causing too much discomfort, consult your doctor to determine if it is due to an underlying health problem.