Press Release

Self-reported symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing increase during pregnancy and are associated with higher levels of daytime sleepiness, according to a study of 155 women.

Results of the study are published in the October 1 issue of the journal Sleep.

In addition to snoring, these symptoms include gasping, choking, and difficulty breathing.

The results show more symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in women who have higher initial body mass indexes and who experience larger changes in neck circumference during pregnancy.

“These results are important,” the authors write, “because they suggest that, during pregnancy, some women may develop OSA (obstructive sleep apnea).”

Sleep is the official journal of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.