It is not unusual for women to have difficulty breathing during pregnancy. Due to physiological changes, breathing for moms may become more difficult as their babies grow. Weight gain during pregnancy (average 25-30 pounds) and the position of the baby can make breathing a struggle, especially when sleeping. The baby's position can impede breathing by putting pressure on the diaphragm. Weight gain can put extra pressure on the airway causing previously healthy moms to snore and develop sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Sleep-disordered breathing includes obstructive sleep apnea and upper airway resistance syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing to repeatedly stop for over 10 seconds or more. Upper airway resistance syndrome is any increase in resistance to breathing that causes extra effort to breath. Often these developments go away after giving birth and when the extra weight is worked off. But what happens during pregnancy to mom and baby when oxygen is lower than optimal? Mom's oxygen is also baby's oxygen.

Sleep-disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea for mom are linked to preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes mellitus. For the baby, the risks include intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission and Apgar score of less than seven at one minute. These risks for the baby lead to lifelong medical problems, like asthma, obstructive sleep apnea and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Fortunately, the body has a natural breathing accommodation for pregnant women. The hormone progesterone is increased during pregnancy which aids in breathing by increasing the intake and use of more oxygen with each breath. In addition, what can pregnant moms do to protect themselves and their babies? Recommendations include good posture when sitting or standing to take pressure off the lungs; taking a break from activities when feeling fatigued; propping up the head of the bed 6-10 inches so gravity has less of an effect when laying down; finally and most importantly is maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy. If all of these things are not enough to breathe easily and effectively then a consultation with a physician and possible sleep study is recommended. Some women will need help during the night to maintain a good airway in order to keep themselves and their babies healthy. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or a temporary dental airway sleep appliance may be needed to maintain a better airway. Women who have had previous pregnancies with complications can improve their health and the health of their babies by taking these steps.