Rhinitis of Pregnancy

Updated on January 16, 2010
B.L. asks from San Mateo, CA
16 answers

Help! I'm super congested and it's hit it's peak over new years weekend. Ever since I got pregnant, i've noticed that my nose is either super dry, or very runny and never a nice balance in between. Lately however, I'm just clogged up and I can't seem to shake it. No amount of blowing my nose or sucking it out works. It seems like all the mucuous is just stuck deep in there somewhere... or perhaps my nasal passage is just so inflamed or swollen, nothing's passing through! Now my tongue & mouth is dry because I can't breathe thru my nose! I checked online and understand that there probably isn't much I can do.. and that i could have this for quite a while (phooey!) However, I'm hoping someone has been through this and had suggestions for what has worked for you.... Much appreciated!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the tips, wise Mamas! So far I've added the Vicks vaporizer that I leave on my bedside table while I sleep, and rather than the NetiPot, I got the NeilMed Sinus Rinse (same concept?). The sinus rinse definitely gives me immediate relief, tho my nose is quick to stuff it back up with mucuous... Oh well, I know i can't escape it but at least I have some arsenol to help give at least temporary reprieve! I may try the nose sprays if I need more help! Thanks-thanks-thanks!

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P.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I too had it with both pregnancies and the only thing that gave me relief were the Breathe Easy nose strips (I think someone already mentioned above) I wore them all night and most days that I was at home and they really do work!

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J.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Hello! I just had this problem (I am due in 6 weeks) and I thought it would never end - it was horrible! I got a warm air humidifier, a sinus rinse (at Target near the cold meds) that I used twice a day, a saline nose spray that I used several times a day and finally it cleared up. I still use the humidifier now every night. I went to my Dr. (both OB and primary care) and they said since I didn't have an infection there were no meds they could give me. They did say I could take a certain Sudafed which I did try and it did nothing and I got a perscription nose spray that didn't really work either. Hang in there - it will go away. I know it is super annoying in the meantime! :)

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N.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi B. L,

I recommend you get your immune system healthy so your body will get stronger. I have some ideas on how to get healthy and unclog your nose naturally. You may email me I will share with you.

Happy New Year

N. Marie
____@____.com

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T.H.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi B.,

When I was pregant with my daughter (born November 28 in the middle of cold season) I had a really bad cold and couldn't breath through my nose. The doctor recommended a humidifier in the bedroom to keep the air moist and a Vicks inhailer. It's one of those things that looks like a tube of chapstick but you put it up to your nose and inhale. You can also use the Vicks rub under your nose and there are even little cups that you add water to and just put your mouth and nose over it and breathe. Basically, try to inhail the Vicks vapors one way or another.

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Boy I don't miss the constant congestion of pregnancy. You might try a saline spray to irrigate and moisturize your nose. Simply Saline is a good brand IMO because it's just water and saline, no extra chemicals. Or, if you can stand it, a Neti pot would probably work wonders (but personally I can't stand them).

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C.P.

answers from Sacramento on

I know congestion with pregnancy is part of the deal (I had it miserably with my #2) however, you might have a sinus infection. I'd try and see a primary care doc, and see if he/she will suggest something to help. Also, you might want to try a Neti pot (available at most pharmacies now) to clear and sooth your nose passage. 12-hr spray decongestant to sleep was the only way I got through it. They can be sort of addicting but at least you can get come sleep. Hang in there!

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K.B.

answers from Yuba City on

We old grannies use Mentholatum in the little green jar. Vicks Vaporub is another one, but I prefer the Mentholatum.
Cheap and effective: just put some up and or around nostrils. Especially before sleep. It also really ROCKS on dreadfully chapped/cracked (the kind that bleed a bit) lips/nose/etc. You can also put a lil spoon of it in a sinkful of hot water, then cover yr head & the sink with a towel and lean over and breathe it in til you loosen up congestion.
My granddaughter loves it too, but my kids (grown now) mostly tolerated it (:
My mom used to also rub it on our chests for cough, but must be washed off thoroughly next am before going out in cold. HER mom used to make her swallow a spoonful, how gross, eh?
May I add that you should not run yr heat too high esp when sleeping, it will aggravate the problem. If you use woodheat, be sure to put a pan or two of water on top to create steam and combat the drying.
Hot showers tend to loosen it up for me.
Also, if you eat a spoon of LOCAL honey every day,on toast or in tea etc, you will not have the allergies that may be causing yr congestion.
ps. When it gets caught in yr throat,gloppy sore throat, you can do the warmsaltwater gargle, my kids love this one. It works well for MOUTH breathers congestions, sounds like you are a NOSE breather to me. Me too.
Hope it helps.

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E.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Happened to me too. Terrible!
My advice to help you sleep: Wear an adhesive nose strip. Athletes wear these to breathe easier, they look like bandaids. Maybe you've seen them on Football players. They open up the nasal passages and for such little things, they work great. I wore them every night and also on planes and it made a huge diff. Find them in any drugstore but don't go for the generic brand, pay an extra dollar and get a premium brand.

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M.C.

answers from Sacramento on

It it's super dry....try saline drops to soften the hardened mucus so you can blow your nose. Try a humifier?
And if it's runny............I think you just have to keep blowing it. Sorry. I hope it's eased up a bit.

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Rinse out frequently with a netti pot - you can find them at most drug stores. Make your own saline - 2 cups warm (not hot) water - 1 tsp salt. If you are suffering from lots of mucus, add 1 tsp baking soda (NOT baking powder). If you are suffering from swelled up sinus tissue, add 1 tsp vinegar. (That's either salt and baking soda OR salt and vinegar. If the baking soda and vinegar get mixed together they tend to cancel each other out). Use the instructions that come with the netti pot and rinse our your nose. Then gently blow your nose one nostril at a time, and repeat as necessary.

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L.G.

answers from San Francisco on

I had the same problem when I slept during my pregnancy. Saline sprays had no helpful effect. I told my OB/GYN about it and she gave me a prescription that really helped. Talk to your doctor. Good luck.

S.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi,
Try getting a netty pot from your local drug store. They sell a saline solution also to help rinse out the nasal passages. It helps if you get into a daily routine, first thing in the morning when you brush your teeth, rinse out your nasal passages and see if this helps. Maybe a vaporizor at night might help also. Do you live around a lot of pine trees? Alergies?

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H.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I third the netty pot. It is a little aukward to use at first so I reccomend the first time or two in the shower so you don't end up all wet but we have one for everone and love them. Also a humidifieer in your room will help relieve the dry mouth and toungue a little and might help your nose some.

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H.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Sounds like you have the bug my family has had for 5 weeks! I suggest a couple of things;
Invest in a netty pot, you can find it in the pharmacy section of most stores or at Walgreens. It looks like a little blue teapot. You stick one end in one nostril, lean over and let the water run out the other nostril. Sounds gross, feels odd but REALLY works!
Take a hot shower and BREATH in the steam through your nose. Do it twice a day if you have to.
Put a BIG pot of water on the stove, bring to a boil, reduce heat and let it simmer. The extra moisture in the air will help the dry feeling and help get things flowing. Put a little Cinnamon and cloves in to spice the air if you want. Just be sure you keep adding water and don't forget to turn it off when you leave the house!
Vaporizers are good too but they tend to mold really fast and if you are even a little allergic to mold (or anyone else in the house) it will make your symptoms worse rather than better! If you use one be sure and clean it every 18 hours (that is how long it takes mold to form!).
If you start feeling sensitive over your eyes or under them and get a headache in that area you may want to see your doctor because you might have a sinus infection.
Hope that helps. =)

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J.N.

answers from San Francisco on

No fun! I suggest trying a neti pot. It looks like Aladin's lamp. You fill it with a warm saline solution and use it to cleanse your nasal and sinus passages. It may provide some relief when there isn't much else that can be done. Here is a link to an article on WebMD about neti pots:

http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-9/neti...

I have sinus issues year round due to allergies, and the neti pot has saved me from taking medications for a couple of years. What a blessing, since it's nice not to take anything when you're trying to conceive or are pregnant.

Hope it helps!

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