Pregnant woman sleeping peacefully with glowing fetus.

Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy: How It Impacts Your Baby's Growth

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 3 min read.

"New research reveals the surprising link between mild sleep apnea in pregnant women and accelerated fetal growth. Is your baby at risk?"

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, is becoming increasingly prevalent during pregnancy. While the link between OSA and maternal health issues like gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders is well-established, the impact on the developing fetus is an area of ongoing research.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports sheds new light on this topic. Researchers investigated the relationship between maternal OSA and fetal growth in non-obese pregnant women, utilizing objective assessment tools to minimize confounding factors such as maternal obesity and pregnancy complications. The results revealed a surprising connection: even mild OSA may be associated with accelerated fetal growth.

This article breaks down these findings, explaining what they mean for expectant mothers and their babies. We'll explore the potential mechanisms behind this link and discuss what steps you can take to promote a healthy pregnancy.

Mild Sleep Apnea: What the Study Revealed

Pregnant woman sleeping peacefully with glowing fetus.

The study, led by Ayana Telerant and colleagues, involved 155 non-obese pregnant women. Researchers carefully controlled for factors like obesity and pregnancy complications to isolate the effects of OSA. Here's what they discovered:

Newborns of mothers with mild OSA had significantly higher birth-weight percentiles compared to those born to mothers without OSA.

Birth Length: Measurements were significantly higher in newborns whose mothers had OSA.
Triceps Thickness: This measure of adiposity was also significantly greater in newborns of mothers with OSA.
Large for Gestational Age (LGA): A higher proportion of newborns were classified as LGA in the OSA group.

These findings suggest that even mild OSA during the third trimester can contribute to accelerated fetal growth, potentially leading to larger babies.

What This Means for Expectant Mothers

While these findings are intriguing, it's important to remember that this is just one study. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the link between maternal OSA and accelerated fetal growth. However, these results highlight the importance of discussing sleep health with your doctor during pregnancy. If you experience symptoms like habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, or restless sleep, consider getting screened for OSA.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41598-018-29052-y, Alternate LINK

Title: Mild Maternal Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Non-Obese Pregnant Women And Accelerated Fetal Growth

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Scientific Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Ayana Telerant, Galit Levi Dunietz, Ariel Many, Riva Tauman

Published: 2018-07-17

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and why should I be concerned about it during pregnancy?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This occurs due to a blockage of the upper airway. OSA is significant because, during pregnancy, it can lead to various maternal health issues such as gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders. Furthermore, it can impact the developing fetus, potentially leading to accelerated fetal growth.

What did the study reveal about the relationship between mild sleep apnea and the size of babies?

The study found that even mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in pregnant women is associated with accelerated fetal growth. This means babies born to mothers with mild OSA tend to have higher birth-weight percentiles, increased birth length, and greater triceps thickness. A higher proportion of these newborns are also classified as Large for Gestational Age (LGA).

What does it mean if my baby is classified as Large for Gestational Age (LGA)?

The Large for Gestational Age (LGA) classification signifies that a newborn's weight is higher than the 90th percentile for their gestational age. In the context of the study on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a higher proportion of newborns being classified as LGA in mothers with OSA suggests accelerated fetal growth due to the condition. This is important because LGA babies may face increased risks of birth injuries, hypoglycemia, and childhood obesity.

What does 'accelerated fetal growth' mean, and why is it mentioned as a potential issue?

Accelerated fetal growth, as observed in the study, refers to a faster rate of development in the fetus, leading to larger birth sizes. Specifically, the study showed that babies born to mothers with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) had significantly higher birth-weight percentiles, increased birth length and greater triceps thickness which is a measurement of adiposity. This accelerated growth is concerning because it may lead to complications during delivery and potential health issues for the baby later in life, such as childhood obesity.

What should I do if I think I might have sleep apnea during my pregnancy?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, or restless sleep, you should consider getting screened for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Discussing these symptoms with your doctor is crucial. While the precise mechanisms are not fully understood, the study indicates that even mild OSA can affect fetal growth. Early detection and management can help ensure a healthier pregnancy and mitigate potential risks associated with accelerated fetal growth.