Featured Patient #108
Women in the third trimester of pregnancy are particularly susceptible to sleep-related breathing disorders. Studies show that during this time there is considerable upper airway narrowing due to the weight gain and edema that can accompany a pregnancy.
Studies show that approximately 17% of non-pregnant women snore while as many as 28% of women in the third trimester of pregnancy report snoring. Interestingly, 75% of women with pre-eclampsia report snoring!
Featured patient #108 came to our office for her regular dental examination during her third trimester. When asked how she was sleeping, she replied that she was sleeping badly, snoring horribly and awakening in the morning feeling tired, groggy and in a bad mood.
An oral appliance was made to help open her airway during sleep. The first morning after wearing her appliance, she left the following message on our answering machine, “This is wonderful! I woke up in a great mood and not groggy at all! By the way, my husband is very happy!”
