I probably sneezed over a thousand times during my pregnancy. Beginning at around six weeks, I started experiencing mild cold symptoms that lasted for the duration of my entire pregnancy. It was really annoying, and I found myself constantly telling others, “I’m not sick, I promise!” Nearly a third of pregnant women develop a condition called pregnancy rhinitis. It happens when the nasal passages become inflamed due to the increased levels of estrogen and increased blood volume in the body.
There is no cure, except giving birth, of course, but there are some things you can do to minimize the symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis. Drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier at bedtime, elevating your head with an extra pillow or a hot shower (but not too hot) can all bring some relief. One thing you do not want to do is take an over the counter nasal decongestant. You will also want to avoid cigarette smoke or areas where the air is heavily polluted, since these can aggravate your symptoms and make them worse.
If your stuffy nose is accompanied by other symptoms, it may not be pregnancy rhinitis, but rather a virus. In that case, you will want to talk to your midwife or doctor. Besides illness, allergies could also explain your symptoms. Pregnancy is known to make even the most minor allergies much worse. If symptoms are the worst during the night and when you wake up, your bedroom might be the culprit. Wash all of your bedding in extremely hot water to kill dust mites, thoroughly dust your bedroom, including the window treatments. If you use curtains, wash them according the label instructions. Pay attention to ceiling fan blades and vent covers, which can collect quite a bit of dust. Vacuum carpet or mop non-carpeted floors. You may also want to consider replacing your pillow. Continue to keep your doctor or midwife updated on your symptoms.