Auto-PAP Therapy For Improved Fetal Growth

Auto-PAP Therapy For Improved Fetal Growth

The purpose of this study is to see whether the presence of night-time breathing disturbances ("sleep-disordered breathing") in pregnant women is related to fetal growth patterns. The hypothesis is that fetal growth slows in the 3rd trimester in women with sleep-disordered breathing. Use of a nighttime breathing therapy called auto-PAP could minimize the slowing in fetal growth.

Inclusion Criteria:

• at least 18 years old;
• no more than 20 weeks pregnant;
• pregnant with one baby;
• found to have sleep-disordered breathing as measured by a sleep study. If you are found to have severe sleep apnea on the sleep study you will be referred for clinical care instead of participating in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• more than 20 weeks pregnant;
• pregnant with twins, triplets, or more babies;
• a current smoker, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs;
• currently using positive-airway pressure therapy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea;
• diagnosed with certain conditions such as bullous lung disease, a bypassed upper airway, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), pneumocephalus (leak of cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that the brain and spine float in), if you have had recent trauma, or recent nasal surgery.