In short
- Snoring often starts or gets worse in pregnancy. In a study of 1,719 women in their third trimester, 34% snored, and most of them had started during the pregnancy.
- Pregnancy hormones can swell the inside of the nose, and Cleveland Clinic says this congestion is usually worse at night and most common in the third trimester.
- Snoring that began in pregnancy was linked to a higher chance of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in that study, even after other factors were taken into account.
- Mention new or loud snoring to your midwife or doctor, and get help straight away for pauses in breathing, gasping or signs of preeclampsia.
- A nasal strip eased nighttime breathing in a small trial of congested pregnant women, but strips didn't change breathing problems during sleep in a later study.
Snoring is common in pregnancy, and many women snore for the first time while they're expecting. Hormones that swell the lining of the nose are one reason, along with the body changes of later pregnancy. Snoring isn't always a problem, but snoring that starts in pregnancy has been linked to high blood pressure, so mention it to your midwife or doctor at your next appointment.
How common is snoring in pregnancy?
Research: moderate (what this means)Snoring in pregnancy is very common. A 2012 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology asked 1,719 women in their third trimester about their snoring. About 34% snored regularly. Most of them, a quarter of all the women in the study, had started snoring during the pregnancy, while 9% had snored before they were pregnant too.
An earlier study followed 155 women through pregnancy and found that symptoms of disordered breathing during sleep increased as pregnancy went on. About 11% had a clinically significant rise in those symptoms. Daytime sleepiness was common throughout, affecting roughly 31% to 46% of the women at different points.
Why do you snore more when you're pregnant?
Cleveland Clinic lists hormone changes during pregnancy among the causes of snoring. The nose is one place those hormones show up. Its page on pregnancy rhinitis explains that the nose has receptors that respond to hormones like estrogen, and in some people higher hormone levels widen the blood vessels in the nose and increase mucus. The result is a stuffy or blocked nose that isn't caused by a cold or allergies.
Cleveland Clinic says pregnancy rhinitis usually happens in the third trimester, that congestion is usually worse at night, and that it can make sleeping difficult. Our guide to why your nose gets stuffy at night covers the general pattern.
Body changes matter too. In the 2005 study of 155 women, those who started pregnancy with a higher body mass index, and those whose neck size grew more during pregnancy, reported more symptoms of breathing problems in their sleep.
Is snoring in pregnancy a problem?
Snoring in pregnancy isn't always a problem, but it can be a sign to get checked. In the 2012 study, women who started snoring during pregnancy were more likely to develop gestational hypertension and preeclampsia than women who didn't snore. After adjusting for other factors, pregnancy-onset snoring was linked to about 2.4 times the odds of gestational hypertension and 1.6 times the odds of preeclampsia. Women who had snored since before pregnancy didn't show the same link, and snoring wasn't linked to gestational diabetes.
Snorers in the study were also more likely to have had high blood pressure before pregnancy, and gaining more weight than recommended during pregnancy was independently linked to gestational hypertension too. This kind of study shows an association, not that snoring causes high blood pressure. The authors suggested that simply asking pregnant women about snoring could be a useful screening step. Your midwife or doctor checks your blood pressure at routine appointments, so telling them about new snoring gives them one more piece of the picture.
How do you bring it up with your midwife or doctor?
When you bring up snoring with your midwife or doctor, it helps to have a few details ready. Cleveland Clinic suggests coming prepared to answer how often you snore, what it sounds like, whether you stop breathing or snort and gasp for air during sleep, and whether you feel rested during the day. A partner who has heard you at night can fill in what you can't. Say when the snoring started, since the 2012 study found the link with blood pressure was in women whose snoring began during pregnancy.
Which signs need attention sooner?
Choking, gasping, pauses in breathing and heavy daytime sleepiness need attention sooner, because they point toward sleep apnea rather than ordinary snoring. The AASM says snoring paired with choking, gasping or silent pauses in breathing during sleep is a reliable indicator of sleep apnea, and that excessive daytime sleepiness is another warning sign. If a partner notices you stop breathing or gasp in your sleep, tell your midwife or doctor soon rather than waiting. Our guide to sleep apnea in women explains how it can look different from the classic picture.
Preeclampsia has its own warning signs. The NHS says its early signs, high blood pressure and protein in your pee, are unlikely to be noticed without testing, which is why you're offered regular blood pressure and urine checks at antenatal appointments. Other symptoms it lists include:
- A severe headache that doesn't go away with simple painkillers
- Vision problems, such as blurred vision or flashing lights
- Pain below the ribs
- Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet
- Feeling very unwell
The NHS says any of these can be serious and need checking immediately. It's most likely from 20 weeks onward, but can happen at any point in pregnancy and sometimes after birth. If you're pregnant and have symptoms, call your maternity unit or get urgent medical help.
What can help with pregnancy snoring?
Easing congestion is a sensible first step for pregnancy snoring, because a blocked nose is often behind it. Cleveland Clinic says treatments a provider might recommend for pregnancy rhinitis include saline rinses and corticosteroid nasal sprays. It advises asking your provider before taking oral decongestants during pregnancy, and warns that decongestant sprays used for more than a few days can cause rebound congestion. See how to use a saline rinse if you want to try one.
Nasal strips are a drug-free option to ask about. In a small 1996 trial of pregnant women with nighttime congestion, a spring-loaded nasal strip made breathing at night easier than a placebo strip. A 2022 study of 54 pregnant women who snored found strips didn't change measures of breathing problems during sleep, and the women didn't rate their sleep any differently on the night they wore one. Think of strips as a comfort measure for a stuffy nose rather than a fix for snoring. Our guide to nasal strips during pregnancy covers both studies in detail.
Check this first. Skip mouth tape and see a doctor if you snore loudly, wake up gasping, have been told you stop breathing in your sleep, or can't breathe comfortably through your nose. More on safety
If you've been using mouth tape and become pregnant, read mouth tape and pregnancy and talk to your midwife or doctor before carrying on, especially if your nose is blocked.
Does it go away after the baby is born?
Pregnancy congestion usually goes away after the baby is born. Cleveland Clinic says pregnancy rhinitis can last until two weeks after delivery. If your snoring carries on long after the birth, or you still feel exhausted in ways that don't match your sleep, mention it to your doctor. Our guide to snoring vs. sleep apnea explains the difference.
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Common questions
Is it normal to snore when pregnant?
It's common. In a large study of women in their third trimester, about a third snored regularly, and most of those had started snoring during the pregnancy. Common doesn't always mean harmless, though, so it's worth mentioning.
Why do pregnant women snore?
A blocked nose is one reason. Cleveland Clinic says pregnancy hormones can widen blood vessels in the nose and increase mucus, and that this congestion is usually worse at night. Research also links bigger increases in neck size during pregnancy to more symptoms of breathing problems during sleep.
Why does snoring happen?
Snoring happens when something partly blocks the airway, so the tissues of the nose, mouth and throat vibrate against each other as air passes through. Cleveland Clinic says the blockage can come from your anatomy or from a temporary condition that causes swelling, like a cold. It says hormone changes during pregnancy can contribute, and its page on pregnancy rhinitis explains that these hormones can make the nose stuffy.
Can you develop sleep apnea while pregnant?
Yes, symptoms of sleep apnea can appear or get worse during pregnancy. In a 2005 study that followed 155 women, symptoms of disordered breathing during sleep increased as pregnancy went on, and about 11% had a clinically significant rise, which the authors said may put them at risk of developing sleep apnea. Tell your midwife or doctor if a partner notices pauses in your breathing, gasping or choking, or if you feel very sleepy during the day.
Is snoring during pregnancy dangerous?
Snoring itself isn't a diagnosis, but in a study of 1,719 women, snoring that began during pregnancy was linked to higher odds of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia. That's why it's worth telling your midwife or doctor, who already checks your blood pressure at appointments.
Does pregnancy snoring go away after birth?
Pregnancy-related congestion usually does. Cleveland Clinic says pregnancy rhinitis can last until two weeks after delivery. If snoring continues well after the birth, or comes with other symptoms, mention it to your doctor.
Can I use nasal strips while pregnant?
Strips don't contain medicine, and a small 1996 trial found they made breathing at night easier for pregnant women with congestion. A 2022 study found they didn't change breathing problems during sleep. Check with your midwife or doctor before trying them.
What are the warning signs of preeclampsia?
The NHS lists a severe headache that doesn't go away with simple painkillers, vision problems, pain below the ribs, sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, and feeling very unwell, among others. Get urgent medical help if you have any of them.
Sources
- Pregnancy-onset habitual snoring, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia: prospective cohort study
- Changes in symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing during pregnancy
- Pregnancy rhinitis
- Managing pregnancy-related nocturnal nasal congestion. The external nasal dilator
- Impact of nasal dilator strips on measures of sleep-disordered breathing in pregnancy
- Pre-eclampsia
- Snoring: causes and complications
- Is it more than a snore? Recognizing sleep apnea warning signs
About this article
- Research
- 8 published sources, listed above.
- Evidence
- Moderate. How we rate it
- Last checked
- October 10, 2026
- Funding
- Paid partner of Titan Recovery. Their ads are labeled.
- Found an error?
- Tell us. We log fixes on the corrections page.
* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.
