Runny Nose — Pregnant

Gravity is working against you. When you lie flat, blood rushes to your head, filling those nasal vessels. Use an extra pillow or two to prop up your upper back (not just your neck) to keep the fluid draining downward.

So, what can you do? Welcome to the world of mechanical and natural relief.

Until then, stock up on the softest tissues with lotion (your upper lip will thank you), apologize to no one for your snoring, and remember: Every sneeze is just your body reminding you that you are hosting a miracle—and miracles are a little messy. pregnant runny nose

Have you suffered from pregnancy rhinitis? What weird trick helped you breathe? Let us know in the comments below!

When you become pregnant, your blood volume increases by nearly 50%. To accommodate that extra fluid, your blood vessels expand (vasodilation). Estrogen and progesterone are the chemical messengers telling those vessels to relax and widen. The problem? The blood vessels inside your nose are tiny and fragile. When they expand, they take up more space in your already narrow nasal passages. Result: Stuffiness. Gravity is working against you

The same hormone that made you vomit in the first trimester also affects mucus production. For many women, hCG causes the mucous membranes throughout the body—especially in the nose—to go into overdrive. You aren't just stuffy; you are drippy . The Great Imposter: Is It Rhinitis or a Cold? Because you are pregnant, your immune system is slightly suppressed (so your body doesn't reject the baby). This makes you more susceptible to actual viruses. So, how do you tell the difference?

This is . And it is one of the most annoying, under-discussed, and persistent symptoms of growing a human. So, what can you do

Dry air makes swollen vessels angrier. Run a cool-mist humidifier next to your bed every single night. If you don’t have one, try sitting in a steamy bathroom for ten minutes (run the shower on hot and just sit on the toilet lid reading a magazine).