Getting plenty of quality rest is a vital part of living a healthy life. But what happens when your lack of sleep affects more than just you? If you are, or are planning to be pregnant soon, sleep apnea can put you and your unborn baby’s health at risk. Here’s a closer look at some of the dangers of leaving this dangerous disorder untreated, and how you can protect yourself and your developing child from them.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a disorder that occurs when the airway closes during sleep. This causes the body to wake repeatedly as the brain is alerted to restart breathing. Known as “apneas” these episodes can happen many times throughout the night, restricting your oxygen intake and making it impossible get quality rest. Over time, this can lead to a variety of dangerous side effects, including cognitive impairment, depression and anxiety, frequent headaches, high blood pressure, and an increase in cardiovascular problems. It can also worsen many medical conditions you may already have, including diabetes and cancer.

What Are the Dangers of Sleep Apnea to Unborn Babies?

As dangerous as untreated sleep apnea is to the average person, it can be even more harmful to pregnant patients. That’s because in addition to the negative effects it has on you, it can also affect your unborn child. Here’s a closer look at some of the potential risks.

High Blood Pressure

When you have high blood pressure during pregnancy, it increases your risk of a condition called gestational hypertension. It can also put you at higher odds for pre-eclampsia, which can cause seizures and organ injury in the pregnant person, and increase the risk of death in both the parent and their baby.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a serious condition that occurs when a pregnant person is unable to create an adequate amount of insulin, which is a hormone that helps regulate the blood sugar. Those who sleep less than six and a quarter-hours each night (including those with sleep apnea) are at an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, which can result in high blood pressure during pregnancy and having a larger baby that may need to be delivered via caesarian section.

Fetal Growth Restriction

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is an extremely dangerous condition that can result in preterm labor and stillbirth. It is caused by insufficient placenta, pre-eclampsia, and oxygen deprivation including from breathing difficulties due to sleep apnea.

Labor Complications

Sleep deprivation or disruption during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of needing to deliver via cesarean section, as well as a longer and more painful labor.

How to Treat Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy

The good news is that while sleep apnea can be extremely dangerous, it is also treatable, even for pregnant patients.  An oral appliance from your dentist can help position the airway open manually, without relying upon uncomfortable CPAP machines and forced air, benefiting not only the parent but also the growing baby. These devices are custom made so they fit your individual mouth discreetly, allowing you to get the rest your body needs to power through the day and support your developing child.

Remember, untreated sleep apnea can be extremely dangerous for any person, pregnant or not. However, when you’re expecting it can put both you and your baby at risk. To learn more about oral appliance therapy, speak to your sleep dentist today.

About Dr. Vizcarra

Dr. Sara Vizcarra earned her dental degree at the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City and since graduating has continued her education on topics like headaches, TMD, craniofacial pain, and snoring and sleep apnea treatment.  She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial and Dental Sleep Medicine and is Board-Certified by the ABCP (American Board of Craniofacial Pain). She holds memberships in the American Dental Association, the Arizona Dental Association and the Hispanic Dental Association just to name a few. To schedule a consultation for sleep apnea treatment at AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions, visit our website or call us today at 480-515-6209.