Sneezing first trimester

Causes, Risks, Treatment, and More

Sneezing During Pregnancy: Causes, Risks, Treatment, and More

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Corinne O'Keefe Osborn on December 1, 2017

Overview

There are many unknowns to pregnancy, so it’s normal to have a lot of questions. Things that used to seem harmless may now cause you anxiety, like sneezing. You may be more prone to sneezing during pregnancy, but rest assured that it:

isn’t harmful to you or your baby
isn’t a sign of a complication
cannot cause a miscarriage

Read on to learn more about sneezing and pregnancy.

Sneezing and pregnancy

Many women sneeze more than normal when they’re pregnant. Doctors call this pregnancy rhinitis. Pregnancy rhinitis is nasal congestion that begins at any point during pregnancy and resolves within two weeks of your baby’s birth. Symptoms include:

runny nose
stuffiness
sneezing

The cause is unknown, but is probably related to hormonal changes.

Allergies

Women with allergies may continue to experience allergy symptoms during pregnancy. This includes seasonal allergies (pollen, hay) and indoor allergies (pet dander, dust mites).

A recent study evaluated decades worth of data from the National Survey of Family Growth. The study found that allergies during pregnancy didn’t increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight or preterm birth.

Cold or flu

You might be sneezing because you have a cold or flu. During pregnancy, your immune system is compromised. Normally, your immune system is quick to respond to the harmful germs that cause sickness and disease. When you’re pregnant, however, your immune system is being careful not to mistake your growing baby for a harmful invader. That causes it to react more slowly to actual invaders, like the virus that causes cold symptoms. This means that you’re extra vulnerable to that nasty cold going around the office.

The common cold doesn’t pose any risk to you or your baby, but the flu can be dangerous. If you suspect a flu or a fever, contact your doctor right away.

Risks

Your body is built to keep your baby very safe. Sneezing cannot hurt your baby. Sneezing doesn’t pose any risks to your baby at any stage of a pregnancy. However, sneezing can be a symptom of an illness or disease, such as the flu or asthma.

When you have the flu, so does your baby. When you’re having difficulty breathing, the baby isn’t getting needed oxygen either. Talk to your doctor if you have either the flu or asthma, as there are considerations they may take for pregnancy to ensure good birth outcomes.

Some pregnant women experience a sharp pain radiating around their belly when they sneeze. This can be painful, but it isn’t dangerous. As the uterus grows, the ligaments that attach it to the side of the abdomen are stretched. Doctors call this round ligament pain. Sneezing and coughing can put more pressure on the ligament, causing a stabbing pain.

How to manage sneezing during pregnancy

Anything that you ingest when you’re pregnant can be passed along to your baby. This means you must be careful about what you put in your body, especially when it comes to medication. Some pain relievers, antihistamines, and allergy medications are safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about your options.

You may also want to try:

A neti pot. Use a neti pot to clear out your sinuses with a saline solution or distilled water.
A humidifier. Use a humidifier at night to prevent dry air from irritating your nasal passages.
An air purifier. You may be allergic to something in your home or office, like mold or dust. An air purifier can help with this.
A saline nasal spray. Use a saline nasal spray to clear out the sinuses.
Avoiding triggers. If you’re triggered by seasonal allergies or pet dander, change your clothes when you come home and take a shower.
Getting a flu shot. It’s safe and advisable to get a flu shot when you’re pregnant. Try to do it by November so that you’re protected before flu season is in full swing.
Assuming the position. If you have abdominal pain when you sneeze, try holding your belly or lying on your side in the fetal position.
Managing your asthma. If you have asthma, make a plan with your doctor and follow it carefully.
Exercising. Regular, pregnancy-safe exercise will keep you healthy and boost your immune system.
Wearing a pad. If sneezing causes you to expel urine, an absorbent pad can help reduce wetness and prevent embarrassment.
Using a pregnancy belt. A pregnancy belt may help reduce sneeze-related abdominal pain.
Vitamin C-rich foods. Eating foods rich in vitamin C, like oranges, may help naturally boost your immune system.

Seeking help

Sneezing is rarely anything to worry about. If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about which medications are safe to use during pregnancy.

Seek help immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

difficulty breathing
a fever over 100°F (37.8°C)
trouble keeping down fluids
an inability to eat or sleep
chest pain or wheezing
coughing up green or yellow mucus

Takeaway

Many women sneeze more often during pregnancy. It’s quite common. Your baby is very well protected and won’t be harmed by a sneeze.

If you do have a cold, the flu, asthma, or allergies, speak with your doctor about treatments that are safe during pregnancy.

Last medically reviewed on December 1, 2017

Parenthood
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

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Bonham CA, et al. (2017). Asthma outcomes and management during pregnancy. DOI:
10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.029
Dzieciolowska-Baran E, et al. (2013). Rhinitis as a cause of respiratory disorders during pregnancy. DOI:
10.1007/978-94-007-4546-9_27
Erebara A, et al. (2008). Treating the common cold during pregnancy.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2377219/
Friebe-Hoffmann U, et al. (2017). Pregnancy rhinitis — an update. DOI:
10.1055/s-0042-110325
Influenza (flu) and pregnancy. (2017).
marchofdimes.org/complications/influenza-and-pregnancy.aspx
Turkeltaub PC, et al. (2017). The influence of asthma and/or hay fever on pregnancy: Data from the 1995 national survey of family growth. DOI:
10.1016/j.jaip.2017.03.036

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version

Dec 1, 2017

Written By

Corinne Osborn

Edited By

Nizam Khan (TechSpace)

Medically Reviewed By

Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Corinne O'Keefe Osborn on December 1, 2017

Frequent Sneezing in Pregnancy – Dos and Don’ts

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Sneezing when pregnant: causes, dos and don’ts

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Don’t let a case of the sneezes worry you when you’re pregnant. Increased sneezing during pregnancy is very normal and is not harmful to you or your baby. There could be many reasons for your more regular sneezing and pregnant hormone levels are one of them!

Is frequent sneezing in pregnancy normal?

Yes. Frequent sneezing in pregnancy is part of a condition known as pregnancy rhinitis. Rhinitis is an inflammation of the inside of nose and can be caused by all sorts of internal and external factors. The symptoms are similar to that of a cold, including a blocked nose or mild nasal discomfort as well as frequent sneezing. Pregnancy causes your hormones to change their usual balance and when this change causes inflammation on the inside of your nose, you might get pregnancy rhinitis.

You may also find yourself sneezing when pregnant because you’re picking up more common colds. While you’re pregnant, your immune system is a lot weaker. This is a protective measure from your body to prevent it mistaking the unborn baby for an invading virus but, while your baby is safer, you’re more likely to pick up colds and other bugs.

Can sneezing when pregnant harm my baby?

If you’re anxious that the force of sneezing might be harmful to your baby, don’t worry! Sneezing during pregnancy won’t impact your baby’s health or growth at all. A common cold during pregnancy isn’t harmful either; it’s just not much fun for you to be sniffling for nine months! If you spot your partner/friends/colleagues sneezing, pass them a packet of tissues as a not-so-subtle hint to keep their germs far away from you.

If you think you might have flu, fever or a more severe illness than a common cold then there may be risks attached to this. See your doctor immediately.

What if I’m experiencing a sneezing pain in the abdomen?

Sometimes sneezing when pregnant is painful but this still doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong. Experiencing pain when sneezing in pregnancy is usually due to the pressure sneezing and coughing puts on the ligaments around your uterus, which are stretched as you grow during pregnancy. Though this can be very uncomfortable, it’s not dangerous.

If the pain you are experiencing is very severe or remains sharp for longer than a few seconds after sneezing, consult your doctor immediately.

I’ve got a pain in the abdomen when sneezing: am I pregnant?

If you didn’t think you were pregnant before reading this article, take a pause before buying a baby name book. Don’t worry if sneezing hurts when pregnant – it’s a normal part of pregnancy, but there are many other possible reasons for experiencing it. If you think you might be pregnant it’s vitally important to find out with a pregnancy test and trip to your doctor.

If you’ve been sneezing a lot more often than usual because of a cold or seasonal allergy, the muscles in your abdomen will be working harder than usual. This often results in muscle soreness.

If you have other reasons for abdominal pain, the impact of sneezing will increase it. If you’re experiencing severe or lasting pains in your abdomen, it’s important to consult your doctor to find out what’s causing it.

Here are some final dos and don’ts to bear in mind when dealing with sneezing in pregnancy.

DO:

Talk to your doctor before using sneezing medication to make sure it’s safe for pregnancy
Ask for medical advice on getting a flu vaccination to protect you and your baby before flu season
Use a humidifier or an eco-friendly alternative at night to soothe the inside of your nose and relieve the causes of sneezing
Keep a sneezing survival kit on you: nasal spray, tissues and a bottle of water to re-hydrate
Talk to your doctor if you’re worried about any part of your pregnancy

Letting steam from the bathroom waft into your room after you’ve showered, or simply keeping a bowl of water by the window, will add some humidity to your bedroom at night without using any additional energy – an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint!

DON’T

Panic! Frequent sneezing during pregnancy or pain when sneezing in pregnancy is normal and usually harmless.
Overthink it – you don’t need any special guide for how to sneeze when pregnant!

Did you find this article helpful?Thanks for your feedback!

Sneezing during pregnancy - is it safe?

May 20, 2018, 19:00

Although many women are more anxious than usual during pregnancy, sneezing should not be a cause for concern. Sneezing does not mean that something is wrong with the baby or the mother.

Rhinitis

Rhinitis is a common condition that causes nasal congestion. Congestion can last more than 6 weeks and can be the cause of many symptoms, including sneezing.

During pregnancy, blood flow to the mucous membranes increases. This leads to watery discharge and congestion.

SARS and influenza

Pregnant women have a weakened immune system and become more prone to SARS and influenza. These illnesses may last longer and be more severe.

Colds are usually harmless during pregnancy, but flu or any other illness that causes fever can be dangerous for both mother and baby. Expectant mothers who sneeze and have a fever should call a doctor immediately.

Seasonal allergies

Seasonal allergies such as hay fever and pollen allergy can also cause sneezing.

Sneezing during pregnancy does not pose a risk to mother or baby. However, sneezing can be a symptom of an illness or problem that could affect the baby. For example, influenza can increase the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm birth.

Pain when sneezing in the lower abdomen during pregnancy

Pregnant women may also find that sneezing causes muscle pain in the lower abdomen. Although this pain is uncomfortable, it is not dangerous.

How to stop sneezing during pregnancy

Pregnant women can use the following home remedies for sneezing:

saline nasal spray;
humidifiers;
avoid known allergens;
use of an air purifier;
treatment of asthma as directed by a physician;
diet rich in vitamins.

Most doctors recommend that women get vaccinated to prevent influenza during pregnancy.

Pregnancy sneezing - when to see a doctor

A pregnant woman should seek medical attention if she has the following symptoms along with sneezing:

high temperature;
breathing problems;
chest pain;
cough with yellow or green mucus;
discharge of mucus from the nose;
wheezing;
loss of appetite;
insomnia;
severe headache.

Does sneezing affect the fetus?

Sneezing during pregnancy usually does not harm the fetus.

The baby is well protected in the womb and even severe sneezing will not affect the baby unless it is a symptom of an underlying disease. In these cases, the underlying disease may be affecting the baby, not the sneezing.

reasons why pregnant women can sneeze

Sneezing during pregnancy is mostly associated with hormonal changes. The natural reflex is characterized by the removal of dust and other microparticles from the respiratory tract. At the same time, the bearing of the fetus is accompanied by a decrease in immunity, and thanks to sneezing, the body tries to protect the body from infections.

Why do you often sneeze during pregnancy?

Frequent sneezing during pregnancy is mainly due to the same reasons as before conception:

presence of foreign objects in the nasopharynx;
an allergic reaction as a result of exposure to the mucous membrane;
the formation of rhinitis or a cold;
entry of the virus into the body;
taking medications that affect the nasal mucosa.

Sneezing in the early stages often appears due to the presence of an irritating factor or due to the influence of an infection. Therefore, in the first weeks of pregnancy, you should carefully consider the constant sneezing and consult a doctor about the development of any serious disease.

The 1st trimester is characterized by the laying of all organs in the embryo, and sneezing and subsequent runny nose causes an edematous reaction in the nasopharynx, which affects the woman's well-being, and there is a threat to the normal development of the child. Due to nasal congestion, the expectant mother is not able to breathe well, less oxygen is supplied, the fetus feels hypoxia, which requires prompt treatment.

The 2nd trimester is associated with the active growth of the baby, and insufficient breathing of the mother, as a result of sneezing and runny nose, provokes the risk of giving birth to a child with allergies or impaired olfactory function.

When answering the question: why do you often sneeze during pregnancy, you should focus on the well-being of the pregnant woman and the period of gestation. So, in the third trimester, the appearance of short-term sneezing is considered the norm and is explained by a surge of hormones, as well as a significant increase in the uterine cavity.

Is it possible to sneeze during pregnancy?

During a sneeze, the body uses more than 50 muscles. During pregnancy, exposure to muscle tissue is dangerous due to an increase in uterine tone, therefore, in the first months, such a reflex can only be short-term so as not to cause premature birth.

In the last months of pregnancy, women may notice some pain when sneezing. This condition is associated with a growing fetus inside the womb, the uterus squeezes all the surrounding organs, provoking pain in the back, abdomen and urinary system. Thus, there are complaints of pregnant women that there is a sharp pain when sneezing or involuntarily pissing. In the latter case, the pressure of the uterus on the bladder, together with the unconditioned reflex, creates all the conditions for urinary incontinence.