Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Pregnancy, sleep disordered breathing and treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure
Christian Guilleminault1, Martina Kreutzer, Judy L Chang
1Stanford University Sleep Disorders Clinic, 401 Quarry Road, Suite 3301, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. cguil@leland.stanford.edu
Objective:
To investigate the tolerance, compliance and problems associated with usage of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by pregnant women with sleep disordered breathing (SDB).
Patients And Method:
Twelve pregnant women diagnosed with SDB received polysomnography (PSG) at entry, CPAP titration, repeat PSG at 6 months gestation (GA) and home monitoring of cardio-respiratory variables at 8 months GA. Compliance was verified by the pressure at the mask. Results from the Epworth sleepiness scale, fatigue scale and visual analogue scales (VAS) for sleepiness, fatigue, and snoring were compared over time.
Results:
All of the subjects had full term pregnancies and healthy infants. Nightly compliance was at least 4 h initially and 6.5 h at 6 months GA. Nasal CPAP significantly improved all scales compared to entry. VAS scores remained lower at 6 months GA compared to entry. Re-adjustment of CPAP pressure was needed in six subjects at 6 months GA.
Conclusion:
Nasal CPAP is a safe and effective treatment of SDB during pregnancy.
Related Concept Videos
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required