Pregnancy rhinitis: causes and remedies
Stuffy nose when pregnant for at least 6 weeks? It could be a fairly common symptom in pregnancy: pregnancy rhinitis. Find out when it starts, when it passes, the symptoms to recognize it and above all… the remedies to find relief!
Perpetually stuffy or runny nose? Sneezing, difficulty breathing and disturbed sleep due to nasal congestion? You may not know it, but it may not be a trivial cold during pregnancy , but a specific disorder: pregnancy rhinitis .
Let’s see together what it is and what you can do to alleviate it.
Pregnancy rhinitis: what it is and what the symptoms are
Rhinitis of pregnancy is inflammation of the inside of the nose that starts during pregnancy, lasts for at least 6 weeks, and is not caused by an infection or allergy .
It affects about 30% of expectant mothers and can occur at any time of pregnancy, although it usually appears between the third month and the seventh month of pregnancy , often worsening in the last few weeks.
Symptoms are the same as for a normal cold, but are persistent and do not resolve until after delivery. Among the most common we find:
- stuffy nose (due to nasal congestion)
- runny nose (rhinorrhea)
- itchy nose
- sneezing
- nasal voice
- difficulty breathing
- reduced perception of odors
Pregnancy rhinitis can disturb sleep during pregnancy , making it more difficult to fall asleep, causing numerous nocturnal awakenings and accentuating tiredness.
Furthermore, having a stuffy nose can cause or accentuate snoring and, in the case of asthma or allergies , worsen the symptoms.
The causes of pregnancy rhinitis
During the nine months of gestation there are many physical changes affecting the expectant mother. One of them is the increase in body fluids due to the increased production of estrogen and progesterone.
This causes an increase in the volume of circulating blood and, consequently, of the blood vessels and small nasal capillaries, with consequent accumulation of liquids in the nasal mucous membranes (oedema).
Also, the amount of mucus produced increases as a result of estrogen. If the mucus thickens it can cause congestion and possibly a headache , due to the pressure on the sinuses. If it becomes more fluid, however, you will have a runny nose and a feeling of mucus in the throat
On average, a healthy and non-pregnant woman produces more than a liter of mucus a day, so you can imagine what can happen in case of pregnancy rhinitis!
Finally, we remind you that allergic or smoker women seem to have a greater risk of suffering from pregnancy rhinitis .
Stuffy nose in pregnancy: pregnancy rhinitis or a simple cold?
Let’s face it right away: it’s not always possible to distinguish a priori whether a stuffy nose and drip are due to pregnancy rhinitis, a cold or other conditions. Also, sometimes the symptoms can be due to several causes at the same time.
In general though, here is some information that may help you figure out the source of the problem.
Cold or flu
In addition to sneezing and a stuffy nose, these types of infections are usually accompanied by chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, and fever .
Allergic rhinitis
If the feeling of stuffy nose during pregnancy is due to an allergy, sneezing and itching of the nose, eyes or throat are also often present .
Sinusitis
The presence of headache, greenish-yellow mucus, feeling of pain or pressure on the face and/or reduction or inability to perceive smells could suggest sinusitis.
COVID-19
COVID-19 can also cause symptoms similar to rhinitis of pregnancy, but in addition to stuffy nose, there is often a sore throat, cough, fever and fatigue . When in doubt, a swab is always recommended .
Stuffy nose: what remedies in pregnancy?
Rhinitis of pregnancy is a nuisance that ends with the birth of the baby, but it can get maddening . So what to do in the meantime to improve the symptoms? And what not to do at all?
Stuffy nose in pregnancy: remedies to avoid
When the sensation of stuffy nose is constant, the temptation to take over-the-counter medications can be very strong. However, it is important to underline that before taking any medicine during pregnancy it is necessary to consult the doctor , to make sure that it is not harmful to the baby.
For example, decongestants or over-the-counter drugs that contain pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are generally not recommended during pregnancy . Furthermore, all nasal sprays that contain untested natural ingredients during pregnancy should also be avoided.
Finally, be careful not to blow your nose too hard : episodes of epistaxis (nosebleed) are more frequent during pregnancy .
Stuffy nose in pregnancy: the recommended remedies
Unfortunately there are no cures for pregnancy rhinitis that are decisive, but there are many natural remedies and good habits that can help find relief from the symptoms.
- Practice constant and regular exercise. Although it may seem strange to you, it is one of the most effective remedies for preventing and relieving pregnancy rhinitis.
- Keep your head elevated with a pillow to improve your breathing at night.
- Try making nasal suffumiges, grandma’s classic remedy to reduce congestion: boil water in a saucepan, transfer it to a container and, covering your head with a towel, breathe in the vapors for at least 5 minutes. You can also add baking soda and/or pregnancy-friendly essential oils to the water .
- Do nasal washes with saline solution . As an alternative to the classic syringes to be prepared at home, you can use rinowash or commercially available nasal sprays.
- Drink abundantly to thin the mucus and keep the mucous membranes hydrated.
- Keep a humidifier or vaporizer in the room , especially in the winter, to reduce the dryness of the air.
- Take a hot shower or a relaxing bath: the steam will have a beneficial effect on congestion.
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke, smog, dust, and other irritants , or your symptoms may worsen.
When to contact the doctor?
Pregnancy rhinitis is not dangerous for mother and baby. However, it is recommended to contact your doctor if :
- in addition to nasal congestion, there are severe and persistent headaches ;
- there is the emission of foul-smelling and/or yellow-greenish or brown mucus ;
- the nose is so blocked as to cause insomnia , tiredness or other symptoms that can seriously compromise the quality of life during pregnancy;
- in particular, the presence of excessive snoring or sleep apnea should be reported to the doctor, because it can increase the risk of developing certain pregnancy complications (such as hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation).
In these cases, the doctor will assess the seriousness of the situation and propose appropriate therapies .
Questions and answers
Is a stuffy nose a sign of pregnancy?
Pregnancy rhinitis is one of the many symptoms that can occur during pregnancy and which are due to hormonal changes. Although it can occur at any time, it usually does not appear in early pregnancy, but between the third and seventh month .
Furthermore, the feeling of stuffy nose (nasal congestion) or runny nose (rhinorrhea) can obviously also be due to causes independent of being pregnant or not, such as a cold or an allergy.
When does pregnancy rhinitis go away?
Typically, rhinitis of pregnancy improves within a few days after delivery and disappears completely within 2 weeks .
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.