The stuffy nose in pregnancy is normal due to the increase in the hormone estrogen and the volume of blood that cause the veins in the nose to swell and to produce more mucus, clogging the nose.
The blocked nose during pregnancy does not harm the baby and, although it may be present right from the beginning of pregnancy, it tends to get worse in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and to pass after delivery.
The stuffy nose during pregnancy, also called gestational rhinitis, can be unclogged with some homemade and natural measures, such as taking a hot bath, washing your nose with saline or inhaling water vapor. Nasal sprays, such as Sorine or Neosoro, should only be used under the guidance of the obstetrician, as they may harm the baby.
What to do in case of stuffy nose during pregnancy
Some natural and homemade solutions to unblock your stuffy nose during pregnancy include:
- Take a bath with hot water, blowing and washing your nose during the bath; Wash your nose with saline, using a nasal washer that can be bought in pharmacies or drugstores; Make inhalation of water vapor, using a basin with hot water; Drink about 1.5 L of water per day; Increase the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, such as guava, broccoli, orange or strawberry; Put several pillows or a wedge in bed to keep your head higher when lying down.
Discover other options to unclog your nose by watching our video with home remedies recipes:
Nasal sprays, such as Sorine or Neosoro, for example, should only be used as a last resort and under the guidance of the obstetrician who accompanies the pregnancy.
What to use for stuffy nose in pregnancy
A pregnant woman with a blocked nose can use an air humidifier, as it increases the humidity of the air, facilitating breathing and helping the nose to unclog. A homemade option to humidify the air is to place a bowl of hot water or a wet towel in the bedroom or living room.
The pregnant woman can also make inhalations with saline, using an inhaler, to help moisten the airways and, in this way, unblock the nose.
To use an inhaler, just put saline in the container, attach the hose or wire to the container, turn on the inhaler and put the mask on your face, which should be tight, covering your nose and mouth.
Check out some techniques to relieve this discomfort: How to unclog the nose.
