Published on February 09, 2012
Is That
Sleepiness During Pregnancy Normal
or a Sign of Sleep Apnea?
Most pregnant women complain of being tired. Some of them
however, could be suffering more than normal fatigue associated with their
pregnancy; they may have developed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a periodic
cessation of breathing during sleep. If left untreated, OSA poses a variety of
health risks to these women, from diabetes to high blood pressure and stroke. Recent
studies have also indicated that pregnant women with OSA are at risk for delivering
low birthweight or preterm infants.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a person’s airway
collapses repeatedly during sleep. This
repeated stoppage of airflow causes low blood-oxygen levels and strain on the
heart. The person also experiences a
brief interruption of sleep when the brain wakes up to start breathing again.
Untreated,
OSA causes high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks, strokes,
irregular heart rhythms, diabetes and mental decline. People with untreated sleep apnea are also at
higher risk of having a motor vehicle or workplace accident caused from sleep
deprivation.
“Unfortunately, many pregnant women don’t get tested for
sleep apnea because the associated symptoms, like snoring and sleepiness, are
also common in a normal pregnancy,” said Ann Cartwright, MPAS, PS-C, sleep
specialist at National Jewish Health. “Pregnant women who were overweight
before their pregnancy or who have developed high blood pressure or diabetes
during their pregnancy should consider getting evaluated for sleep apnea.”
If you are pregnant and have any of the following symptoms,
talk to your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea:
- Snoring
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Nighttime heartburn
- Difficulty focusing/concentrating
- Insomnia
- Poor memory
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a safe and effective treatment
for sleep apnea during pregnancy. In most cases woman who did not suffer from
sleep apnea prior to pregnancy will return to normal sleep after giving birth.
“After being diagnosed with sleep apnea and using CPAP nightly I have
noticed a considerable difference in my energy level during the day,” said
Kelly Goelz. “I just wish I would have known about pregnant sleep apnea before my second pregnancy.”
