{"id":147,"date":"2024-06-20T12:59:01","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T12:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.centersleeptmj.com\/blog\/?p=147"},"modified":"2024-07-12T12:59:43","modified_gmt":"2024-07-12T12:59:43","slug":"the-dangers-of-osa-during-pregnancy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centersleeptmj.com\/blog\/2024\/06\/20\/the-dangers-of-osa-during-pregnancy\/","title":{"rendered":"Oh Baby! The Dangers of OSA During Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When you\u2019re pregnant, your body can experience many changes, both big and small. From weird cravings to stretch marks and hair loss, your body may look and feel a little different than you\u2019re used to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another change that some may experience is obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA<\/a>. OSA is a sleep disorder that occurs when your airway becomes obstructed during sleep, causing you to stop and restart breathing hundreds of times a night. This in turn diminishes your quality of sleep, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish throughout the day, even if you slept for a full eight hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worse yet, OSA can pose many risks to you and your unborn baby. Here\u2019s what you need to know about the dangers of sleep apnea during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Causes OSA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OSA can be caused by many things. In fact, it\u2019s the most common type of sleep apnea, affecting approximately 30 million Americans each year. But it tends to be more common in men over the age of 50 and in those who are overweight or obese.  This is because when you carry excess weight you could have added pressure on your airway because your neck is larger, and the wider your neck circumference, the higher your OSA risk will be. It can also be caused by genetics, smoking, and even pregnancy, especially if you were already overweight before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dangers of OSA in Pregnancy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OSA has many dangers associated with it, including cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and the worsening of multiple serious comorbid conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer\u2019s disease, cardiovascular disease, and even some cancers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are pregnant with OSA, however, the dangers are even greater. They include an increased risk of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n