Dealing with CPAP while pregnant

[Janieprint]

So I know I might be the minority in this experience, but I'm 11 weeks pregnant and having a terrible time tolerating my CPAP. I'm already nauseous all the time, and I cant help but want to gag whenever I put on my mask, or even think about putting it on. The air smells funny to me now, the air feels warm and stale, and the pressure on my throat really aggravates my gag reflex. However, I continue to suffer through, because I worry I will miscarry if not due to lack of oxygen. (I've had 3 previous miscarriages pre OSA diagnosis, so I'm overly superstitious).

Also, I don't think the smell is due to mold or anything like that, as all of my equipment is less than 4 months old.

Are there any ladies out there that have experience with this, and if anything helped to alleviate any of the discomfort?

[Pugsy]

Welcome to the forum.

What machine are you using?
Which mask are you using?
If using a heated hose at what temp and what humidifier setting?
What pressure settings?

My only pregnancy was 40 something years ago and long before any sleep apnea diagnosis but I remember how sick I was and how the least little thing could set me off and stuff just tasted weird and smelled weird that before I became pregnant wasn't an issue.

Depending on the type of equipment and the settings there are some things that can be done about the warm muggy feeling and even maybe about the smell thing.
I would want you to run one idea by your doctor though...I don't see it being a problem with the pregnancy but ask anyway.
For smells you could maybe add some sort of essential oil to a cotton ball and place it near the air intake of the machine.
They make special essential oils for cpap situations. Don't add anything to the water though.
Here's some of the products available.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-comfort-clean ... herapy.php
There are others and I even use essential oils not marketed for cpap...but then I am not pregnant...run this idea by your doctor please. I like floral scents...roses, jasmine, gardenia...but you might like something else.

For the warm muggy feeling...need to know what kind of hose you are using and if a heated hose what the temp is and what brand machine because different brands have different options available. Also which mask you are using.
Hose air temps are versatile depending on if using a heated hose or not. So is the humidity setting.
I like lots of moisture but don't like warm air in the summer...that warm muggy swampy feeling isn't so nice in the summer.
But I don't like going without the moisture so I turn the hose air temp way down in the summer and crank it up in the winter..
Always remember though...you start with the ambient room air temp. We can't take an already warm bedroom air and make it cooler. There's no air conditioning in these machines...only heaters.
But if we know what you are using and at what settings and what your ambient bedroom temps are...can probably come up with some ideas to try to make all this more tolerable for you.

[Pugsy]

When you have time please add your equipment to your profile like I have mine below. This helps us help you better and faster should you have other questions.

wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

[blacknebula]

My pregnancies also pre-date my CPAP usage, but I will attest that some pretty strange things can happen with sensory input, particularly during the first trimester. I spent weeks 10-13 eating nothing but toast with peanut butter, skim milk, and fruit because the smell of anything else made me want to gag. Then it all disappeared completely and suddenly around 13 weeks. Hang in there and I hope it goes away for you soon!

[chunkyfrog]

Ginger is effective against nausea., but only if used in moderation.
High dosage has been associated with miscarriage

[kteague]

I loved how essential oils helped make CPAP use more pleasant. I used only pure oils behind my machine and not synthetic blends because I have lung issues. If your doctor happens to not want you to use them, maybe there is something completely natural you could use that suits your current sensitivities. One time I had some orange peels on a plate on my nightstand and was pleasantly surprised when I got a whiff of them through the hose. If you are one who loves the smell of a particular flower, a few petals behind the machine could be nice. Treat yourself to something you enjoy to make the experience less objectionable. I personally find unheated air refreshing, but everyone's airways are different. Since you are sensitive to smells these days, it might be worth your while to be more diligent with changing the water than some of us are. If you are not starting fresh every night, might help to do so for a while.

[Berks]

Hey there... I'm currently pregnant too (11 weeks) and a CPAP user since January of this year. It's hard. It's hard anyway but especially while pregnant. I feel you. I didn't have a SA diagnosis yet with my first pregnancy (though I probably had it then too) so this is new this time around. Happy to chat and share tips and tricks. I'm off to sleep right now but just wanted to say quickly I'd advice against using essential oils at this stage. They are not advised at all during the first trimester and only certain ones are considered safe during other times and I know application matters so via a CPAP may not be safe. I'll be back to this thread to contribute more but please feel free to PM me too.