Sneezing pregnancy symptoms

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

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Pregnancy
Pregnancy Health

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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

Why it happens and how it affects the baby

Although many people do worry more than usual while pregnant, sneezing during pregnancy should not cause any anxiety. Sneezing can occur more frequently during pregnancy but does not usually mean anything is wrong with baby or mother.

Some causes of sneezing during pregnancy include:

pregnancy rhinitis
illness
allergies

People can sneeze for many reasons while they are pregnant:

Pregnancy rhinitis

Share on PinterestPregnancy rhinitis is a common condition that causes nasal congestion.

Pregnancy causes many changes in the body.

These changes can lead to pregnancy rhinitis, a condition that affects 39 percent of women at some point during their pregnancy.

Pregnancy rhinitis often causes extra nasal congestion.

This congestion can last for 6 weeks or longer during pregnancy and can cause many symptoms, including increased sneezing.

During pregnancy, blood flow to the mucous membranes increases. The nose is full of mucous membranes. The extra blood flow causes the nasal passages to swell, which leads to extra watery discharge and congestion.

Both the additional discharge and congestion can lead to increased sneezing.

Illness

Pregnant people have weaker immune systems and are more likely to get a cold, flu, or another bug. These illnesses may last longer and be more severe than in someone who is not pregnant.

When a person is not pregnant, their body typically reacts to germs quickly. During pregnancy, the body’s immune system responds more slowly and gently, because it does not want to mistake the baby for something harmful.

Colds are usually harmless during pregnancy, but the flu or any other illness that causes a fever can be dangerous for both mother and baby. Expectant mothers who are sneezing and think they may have the flu or another illness that causes a fever should call a doctor promptly.

Allergies

People who have allergies that cause sneezing and other upper respiratory symptoms when they are not pregnant, will likely still have allergy symptoms while pregnant. Seasonal allergies, such as hay fever and pollen allergies, as well as indoor allergies can all trigger sneezing.

Share on PinterestSneezing during pregnancy may cause pain around the belly.

Sneezing during pregnancy does not pose a risk to mother or baby most of the time.

Sneezing can, however, be a symptom of an illness or a more significant problem that may affect the baby.

When sneezing indicates a more severe problem, there may be risks. For example, if someone gets the flu, risks might include miscarriage, low birth weight, and premature birth.

People who are pregnant may also find that sneezing causes pain around the belly. While this radiating pain does cause discomfort, it is not dangerous. This phenomenon is known as round ligament pain and occurs as the ligaments stretch and loosen during pregnancy.

Many medicines that are safe to take while not pregnant are not recommended during pregnancy.

The American Pregnancy Association recommend that pregnant people limit the amount of over-the-counter (OTC) medications they take during pregnancy. This means that many common cold medications that would reduce sneezing are off limits.

Home remedies

Ways to manage sneezing during pregnancy without using medication include:

saline nasal sprays
neti pots
using a humidifier
avoiding known allergens
using an air purifier
treating asthma as directed by a doctor
exercising regularly
eating a diet rich in vitamins

People should also talk to their doctor about the best ways to avoid getting ill during pregnancy. Most doctors recommend people have a flu shot to prevent the flu while they are pregnant.

Share on PinterestA doctor should be consulted if sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever.

People should see their doctor immediately if they suspect that the sneezing is a symptom of a more significant problem, such as the flu or asthma.

A pregnant woman should also seek immediate medical attention if she has any of the following symptoms or concerns along with sneezing:

a fever of 102°F or higher
trouble breathing
chest pain
coughing up yellow or green mucus
blowing colored mucus from the nose
wheezing
loss of appetite
inability to sleep
a severe headache

There are a lot of misconceptions about sneezing during pregnancy. We answer some of the common questions about pregnancy and sneezing below:

Does sneezing affect the baby?

Sneezing during pregnancy will typically not harm the baby.

The baby is well-protected in the uterus, and even a hard sneeze will not affect the baby.

The only time that sneezing may be problematic for the baby is if the sneezing is the symptom of an underlying illness or problem. In these instances, it is the underlying illness that may affect the baby, not the sneezing itself.

Does sneezing while pregnant influence the baby’s sex?

Despite lots of stories, tales, and myths highlighting ways to influence the sex of the baby, sneezing cannot determine or change the sex of the baby.

A baby’s sex is determined at conception by a chromosome from the male’s sperm.

If the man’s sperm has an X chromosome, the baby will be a female; if it has a Y chromosome, the baby will be a male.

Can a pregnant woman sneeze out her baby?

No. A baby will not be born because a pregnant woman sneezes.

While some people may joke about fast childbirth, even those who deliver their babies quickly still go through the labor process. During labor, contractions help guide the baby out of the uterus through the open cervix.

People will still have to push and go through labor or cesarean delivery for a baby to be born.

Sneezing during pregnancy is a frequent occurrence for many.

Most of the time sneezing during pregnancy is harmless. However, if the sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms that might indicate a more significant problem, then it is essential to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy rhinitis - why does it occur and how to treat it?

Rhinitis of pregnant women is not dangerous, but worsens the quality of life of a woman during pregnancy.

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Contents

How long does pregnancy rhinitis occur and how long does it last?
Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis
Causes of pregnancy rhinitis
How to distinguish the symptoms of rhinitis during pregnancy from other pathologies?
Treatment of rhinitis of pregnant women
General recommendations for pregnant women who have symptoms of rhinitis
Drugs for the treatment of rhinitis

Rhinitis of pregnancy (nasal obstruction) is a common pathology that occurs in about 30% of expectant mothers. Manifested by a typical triad of symptoms: nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, the presence of mucous secretions. By itself, it is not dangerous, but worsens the quality of life of a woman during pregnancy. The difficulty of stopping the pathology and relieving symptoms lies in the fact that during pregnancy there are restrictions on the use of a number of physiotherapeutic methods and drugs.

When does pregnancy rhinitis occur and how long does it last?

Most often, pathology occurs:

up to and including the 20th week of pregnancy - in this case, rhinitis usually resolves on its own (after about a month or two) and does not manifest itself in the later stages;

after the 20th week of pregnancy - this condition can continue until childbirth and after them (after 2-3 weeks).

If the symptoms last longer than two months and are not relieved by any independent action (vasoconstrictor sprays are prohibited!), then the cause may be hiding in a chronic disease.

Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis

Difficult nasal breathing, nasal congestion;

Nasal discomfort, sneezing;

Presence of clear mucous discharge;

Feeling of constriction in the region of the nose and sinuses;

Mild headaches.

Difficulty in nasal breathing in the mother leads to sleep disturbance and hypoxia, which is also felt by the fetus.

Causes of pregnancy rhinitis

The pathogenesis of the disease is still a controversial issue. Most doctors are inclined to believe that it is of a hormonal nature and is associated with an increased level of estrogen and acetylcholine in the blood serum (as a result), which leads to hyperemia of the nasal mucosa and swelling. The concentration of estradiol, estrone, estriol in the bloodstream of pregnant women increases, in some future mothers, for this reason, the shape of the nose may change, it may increase in size.

There is evidence that pregnant women with symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis have elevated serum placental hormone levels. Another reason that can cause long-term nasal obstruction is the tone of smooth muscle cells under the influence of the inhibitory action of the steroid hormone progesterone. It causes fluid retention in the body and has such a side effect on the nasal mucosa.

Histochemical studies have shown that nasal congestion may occur due to plethora due to hyperactivity of the parasympathetic nervous system in pregnant women.

How to distinguish the symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis from other pathologies?

Symptoms of rhinitis during pregnancy are really similar to manifestations of other diseases, for example, viral infections, sinusitis. It is difficult for a future mother to distinguish a pathology by external signs, therefore a doctor's consultation is necessary. Our clinic employs specialists with extensive experience who will quickly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

If the symptoms are accompanied by a sore throat, fever, then this indicates the presence of a bacterial and/or viral infection or other inflammatory process.

With sinusitis, the mucous discharge may have a yellowish or greenish tint. When pressing in the area of the maxillary and frontal sinuses, there are painful sensations, when the head is tilted, the pain may intensify. Also, sinusitis often causes fever, whereas with nasal obstruction, such symptoms are not observed.

Sometimes rhinitis of pregnancy is confused with allergic rhinitis, which may worsen, there may be sensitization to allergens to which patients have not previously reported sensitivity.

Treatment of pregnancy rhinitis

In our clinic, a thorough diagnosis is carried out in order to exclude diseases similar to rhinitis in terms of symptoms. After the examination, individual treatment is prescribed depending on the severity, severity and indications.

Treatment is complicated by the fact that many drugs can cause contraction of the myometrium and fetal circulation or vasoconstriction with impaired placental function. Therefore, a doctor should prescribe drug therapy, you can not use drugs on your own - they can cause a violation of the development of the fetus.

General advice for pregnant women with symptoms of rhinitis

Washing the nose with mild saline solution (2 teaspoons of sea salt per glass of water). Salt solution improves the discharge of nasal mucus and reduces the feeling of congestion.

Nasal douches (nose washers) are very helpful. You can use regular saline for them.

Ventilate the room before going to bed, use humidifiers. Dry air can exacerbate unpleasant symptoms.

Use a high pillow (or multiple pillows) to sleep with your head well above your torso.

Walking in the fresh air before going to bed is useful.

Do morning exercises and breathing exercises several times a day to reduce the symptoms of hypoxia.

Do not wear perfume and stay away from smokers.

Do not use vasoconstrictor nasal drops during pregnancy as they may cause vasomotor rhinitis.

Preparations for the treatment of rhinitis

Preparations for use during pregnancy are selected with great care and individually. Pregnant women are not given oral systemic corticosteroids, although their effect on the fetus is not fully understood. In some cases, the doctor prescribes corticosteroids in the form of aerosols. Oral antihistamines are also not prescribed due to the increased risk of embryopathies. The choice of physiotherapy is also limited, because most methods negatively affect the development of the fetus.

If you suffer from rhinitis, headaches or other unpleasant symptoms, we advise you to see a doctor immediately. Timely treatment is the key to the quality of life of the mother, which is very important for bearing the fetus. And also allows you not to miss other more serious diseases that can adversely affect the health of the mother and child.

Important! Do not use drugs that were prescribed to you by a doctor before pregnancy, or drugs prescribed to someone else.

Rhinitis during pregnancy usually does not pose a threat to either the fetus or the mother, but improper treatment can lead to unpredictable consequences.

Seeing a doctor early can help keep you healthy.
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90,000 unusual symptoms in pregnant women
Pregnancy symptoms such as fatigue, morning sickness and frequent need to go to the toilet are known to almost everyone. But there are other strange signs of early pregnancy that your body sends to announce the birth of a new life - you definitely don’t know anything about them.

Ksenia Ilchenko

Signs of early pregnancy

Despite the knowledge of physiological processes, each woman's pregnancy is unique. There is a difference in everything - starting from what first signs of pregnancy the expectant mother will notice, and ending with how her state of health will change by the time of childbirth. Even the same woman who has given birth to several children can have different symptoms and signs of pregnancy each time.

In addition, the first signs of pregnancy in the early stages may feel similar to the sensations before and during menstruation, so the woman does not immediately understand that conception has occurred.

Reliable signs of early pregnancy can be observed no earlier than 8-10 days from the moment of fertilization of the egg, when the embryo attaches to the wall of the uterus and the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), begins to be produced in the mother's body. But it must be borne in mind that this is the approximate time of implantation of the embryo, for each woman this period is individual.

Presumable signs of early pregnancy, which are more common:

Delayed menstruation. However, it is worth remembering that there can be many reasons for a violation of the cycle, and in order to accurately determine the first signs of pregnancy, it is necessary to exclude possible causes of delay, such as stress, menopause, excessive physical activity, lack or vice versa, excess weight and others.

Toxicosis. Morning sickness and malaise are the most common first sign of pregnancy before menstruation.

Change in appetite and eating habits. An aversion to certain foods may appear, a desire to eat spicy, sour, inedible appears.

Unstable emotional state.

Change in sexual desire. This happens due to a change in the sensitivity of many receptors in the body of a pregnant woman.

Fatigue and drowsiness.

Frequent urination.

High or low blood pressure and dizziness.

Soreness of the mammary glands.

Cramps and pain in the lower abdomen.

The appearance of spider veins not only on the legs, but also on the face, neck, chest.

Weight gain.

Important! Some symptoms and signs are not exclusive to pregnant women. They can be a manifestation of diseases. We recommend that you consult a doctor if you feel any changes.

The most important and reliable signs of early pregnancy will be:

detection of a high concentration of the hCG hormone in the blood and urine;

changes in the internal genital organs and the presence of an embryo (detected using ultrasound diagnostics).

The strangest signs of pregnancy

Stuffy nose

Do you wake up with a blocked nose? Or do you have to clean it more often than usual? This may be a sign of early pregnancy. The reason for this is the increased production of mucous secretions during pregnancy. And by the way, it's not just in your nose!

Metallic taste

Change in taste buds, also known as dysgeusia, usually resolves after the first trimester but may persist throughout pregnancy. One of the strangest symptoms of early pregnancy is described by women as “mouth full of change” or “as if I’m licking the railing.”

Flatulence

The increase in progesterone levels during pregnancy slows down the digestion process - as a result, gases now form longer. Women in the early stages of pregnancy are often in a state of "balloon".

Bleeding gums and nose

This is another common sign of early pregnancy. Due to the increase in the level of female sex hormones, the gums become inflamed and may start to bleed while brushing or flossing. Pregnancy also provokes vasodilation in the nose, which can cause bleeding.

Constipation

Since we are talking about the functions of the body, it is worth mentioning one more sign of early pregnancy. Disturbances in the work of the intestines are caused by the same hormonal changes. You may have to put a book in the toilet!

Vivid dreams and nightmares

Expectant mothers often have vivid dreams and nightmares. One of the reasons for this strangest sign of pregnancy is all the same notorious hormonal changes. But there is another explanation: the sleep of a pregnant woman is often interrupted due to going to the toilet, the movements of the child or convulsions, and the fresher the dream, the higher the likelihood of remembering its content.

Dizziness

A woman's body often reacts to the birth of a new life with one of the signs of early pregnancy - a decrease in blood pressure. In addition, as the abdomen grows, the center of gravity changes. All this leads to the fact that a pregnant woman begins to unsteadily stand on her own feet.

Veins

Unfortunately, there are more unpleasant signs of pregnancy. As the fetus grows, the uterus increasingly compresses the inferior vena cava, a large blood vessel that runs in the right side of the body. An increase in pressure in the pelvic area leads to a reduction in blood flow to the legs - and, as a result, such an unpleasant disease as varicose veins develops.

Alas, this is not the end! Stagnant processes can spread throughout the body. It is not uncommon for pregnant women to compare their body to a road map because of the web of blue veins protruding from it.
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