Obstructive Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Management During Pregnancy

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly recognized as an important comorbidity during pregnancy, with implications for both maternal and fetal health. Pregnancy-related anatomical, hormonal, and physiological changes, including upper airway edema, reduced functional residual capacity, increased respiratory drive, sleep fragmentation, and weight gain, collectively heighten susceptibility to sleep-disordered breathing. Evidence indicates that OSA can emerge or worsen as gestation progresses, with prevalence rising from early to late pregnancy across multiple cohorts. Although most cases are classified as mild, even mild OSA has been associated with hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, impaired fetal growth, and adverse perinatal outcomes.