Pregnant women who have high blood pressure, preeclampsia or gestational diabetes are more likely to have gestational sleep apnea. Obesity is usually linked to obstructive sleep apnea since the excess tissue in the airway can obstruct the airway when sleeping.
Some pregnant women experience some recurrent episodic cessation or problem with breathing basically due to exaggerated depression of pharyngeal muscle tone. This is scientifically explained as the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia has a survey presented by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology (SOAP) regarding this issue. It is said in the report that OSA is the manifestation of the severity of Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB). Nonetheless, SDB is shown to be an independent risk factor for gestational hypertension and diabetes.
Another study published in the American Diabetes Association linked SDB with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDB). Through the Meta-analytic procedures used in the research, it was found out that "9,795 women showed that SDB was significantly associated with the increased risk of GDM". The conclusion further stated that there is a "significant association between SDB and GDM (which) is evident even after considered confounding by obesity. This meta-analysis indicates a need to evaluate the role of early recognition and treatment of SDB early during pregnancy."
SDB and OSA are both the root of some chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart failure, premature mortality, and atrial fibrillation. If you are overweight or obese, there is a higher risk for both SDB and OSA since the extra weight in your neck puts pressure on your airway. It is therefore important to keep watch of your weight while being pregnant. 35 pounds gain weight would be something excessive already. It is always best to keep yourself fit through eating the right foods and still taking cardio and stretching regularly. Get some great guide to your regular workout the soonest.
