Can Pregnancy Trigger Sleep Apnea? August 13, 2026 Can Pregnancy Trigger Sleep Apnea? Pregnancy comes with plenty of sleep challenges, from midnight bathroom trips to an ever-growing bump that makes finding a comfortable position feel impossible. But there is another, less talked about sleep disruptor that can develop during pregnancy: obstructive sleep apnea, and for many women, it goes completely undetected. What Is Sleep Apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing to pause, sometimes hundreds of times a night.1 Each time this happens, oxygen levels in the blood drop and you briefly wake up, often without realising it.1 The result is fragmented, unrefreshing sleep. Common signs include loud snoring, waking up gasping or choking, morning headaches, and feeling exhausted no matter how many hours you have been in bed.1 Why Pregnancy Increases the Risk Pregnancy triggers a cascade of physical and hormonal changes that make sleep apnea more likely.2 Rising hormone levels cause the mucous membranes in the nose and throat to swell, narrowing the airway. The growing uterus pushes up against the lungs, reducing breathing capacity. Weight gain adds pressure to the airway, and increased blood volume leads to fluid retention in the throat. By the third trimester, research suggests that up to 27 percent of high-risk pregnant women may be affected by OSA.3 What makes it trickier to catch is that many symptoms overlap with ordinary pregnancy side effects, like fatigue, headaches, and mood changes, so it often goes undiagnosed. Why It Matters Untreated sleep apnea during pregnancy is not just about feeling tired - it has been linked to a higher risk of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and complications during labour and delivery.2 For the baby, interrupted breathing can reduce blood flow through the placenta, lower the baby's oxygen levels, and increase the risk of preterm birth or poor growth in the womb.2 These are serious outcomes that make early detection genuinely important. Treatment Options The good news is that sleep apnea during pregnancy is treatable. The most effective option is a CPAP machine, which works by gently blowing air through a mask, opening the airway and eliminating the pauses in breathing.2 It is considered safe during pregnancy and can make a significant difference quickly. For women with milder symptoms, a Mandibular Advancement Splint (MAS) is another option worth discussing with your doctor.4 This is a custom-fitted mouthguard that holds the lower jaw slightly forward, helping to keep the airway open during sleep. As for whether it resolves after birth, about half of women find their sleep apnea improves once the baby arrives, though some will need ongoing treatment.4 Talk to Your Doctor If you are pregnant and regularly waking up exhausted, snoring loudly, or experiencing morning headaches, do not brush it off as just part of pregnancy. Speak to your GP or obstetrician about your symptoms. A sleep study can confirm a diagnosis and help you access the right treatment, for your health and your baby's. How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 90 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and Treatment Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time. If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. MAS is intended to reduce or alleviate snoring and mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea treatment. To find out if CPAP or a MAS is suitable for you, speak to your doctor. References 1. Sleep Health Foundation. “Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) | Sleep Health Foundation.” Www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au, 2024, www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-disorders/obstructive-sleep-apnoea. 2. “Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) - Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit.” Asthma in Pregnancy Toolkit, 5 Oct. 2022, asthmapregnancytoolkit.org.au/treatable-traits/extrapulmonary/obstructive-sleep-apnoea-osa/. Accessed 30 June 2026. 3. Agarwal, Kunal. “How to Diagnose and Manage Sleep Apnea during Pregnancy?” Sleep Care Online, Sleep Care Online, 30 Dec. 2024, www.sleepcareonline.com/articles/how-to-deal-with-sleep-apnea-during-pregnancy/?srsltid=AfmBOor0B_zDWjMABgcG1ESXZaxao5bNGd9YWENmRlaoDKAzmb7zvkyt. Accessed 30 June 2026. 4. “Feeling Tired during Pregnancy? You Might Have Sleep Apnea | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical Center.” Utswmed.org, 2021, utswmed.org/medblog/sleep-apnea-pregnancy/.
