New research shows a strong link between habitual snoring that begins during pregnancy, and the development of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. Women who snored frequently before pregnancy began did not seem to be at any higher risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia.
Some things you can do to lower pregnancy risk for high blood pressure:
- If you have noticed that you have started snoring during pregnancy (or someone tells you that you have suddenly started snoring), let your doctor or midwife know. they may have a treatment plan, or your doctor or midwife can at least monitor your blood pressure more closely to catch any developing problems earlier.
- With your doctor or midwife’s approval, begin a moderate exercise plan including walking, swimming, or another gentle aerobic form of exercise.
- Make sure you have the right balance of electrolytes in your body. Not getting enough, or having too much, sodium, especially in relation to potassium, can cause problems with the body’s fluid balance, leading to high blood pressure.
References:
Pregnancy-onset habitual snoring, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia: prospective cohort study. Louise M. O’Brien, Alexandra S. Bullough, Jocelynn T. Owusu, Kimberley A. Tremblay, Cynthia A. Brincat, Mark C. Chames, John D. Kalbfleisch, Ronald D. Chervin American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 10 September 2012 (Article in Press DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.08.034)
Pregnancy Snoring Linked to High Blood Pressure, Rachael Rettner, MyHealthNewsDaily, NBCnews.com, vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/25/14101442-pregnancy-snoring-linked-to-high-blood-pressure . Accessed Sep. 26, 2012.
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