Pregnancy Nose: Everything you need to know

What is a pregnancy nose? Is it permanent? Perhaps you have loosely heard of this phenomenon or thought it wasn't real and now that you're expecting, you're wondering does your nose get bigger when pregnant?

What is pregnancy nose?

'Pregnancy nose' is a common symptom of pregnancy. It is simply when the nose swells due to hormone changes in the body.

Our resident GP Dr Philippa Kaye shares, "The term pregnancy nose makes me think of a clown’s red nose, but don’t worry your nose doesn’t suddenly start making a honking noise if it is touched in pregnancy! Instead, pregnancy nose refers to some changes which can occur both to and in the nose during pregnancy. These include physical changes to the appearance of the nose, but also changes to how it may function."

Although it's nothing new, it's become more apparent and spoken about as pregnant people take to social media and smartphones to capture and share their pregnancy noses before and after photos!

Causes of pregnancy nose

A pregnant body produces more estrogen and this leads to swelling around the whole body. For some women though, this means the blood vessels in their nose dilate to increase blood flow in that area which causes noticeable swelling in the nose. This swelling specifically affects the nose by giving it a larger and broader appearance at the tip.

The severity of a pregnancy nose differs from person to person. The more nasal soft tissue present in the nose means there's more space for blood to flow and swell up even more.

How long does pregnancy nose last?

So now you know why you have it, the immediately following question is: does pregnancy nose go away? Typically, it does last throughout the duration of the pregnancy but you'll be pleased to know that it reduces and goes back to normal a few weeks after giving birth.

Can pregnancy nose be prevented?

"No, although not everyone will develop changes in their nose during pregnancy if they do occur, they are due to the changes which are occurring all over your body during this time and can’t be prevented," says Dr Philippa.

When to seek medical advice

For the most part, your pregnancy nose might be an unwanted symptom but it won't cause you any harm and should reduce after your baby arrives.

Having pregnancy nose can make you more susceptible to nosebleeds and pregnancy rhinitis. "You may notice that your nose is runny, blocked, congested or stuffy during pregnancy, this is caused by pregnancy rhinitis. This is likely to be due to a combination of increased blood flow in the nose and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose itself. Symptoms tend to improve within a few weeks of delivery," shares Dr Philippa.

"Your local pharmacist may also be able to advise you regarding over-the-counter saline nasal sprays and rinses which can be helpful and sometimes nasal steroid sprays are used. However, do not start any medication, even if it is available over the counter, without first seeking medical advice," shares our GP doctor.

If you have a nosebleed, lean forward and tightly pinch your nose just above your nostrils. Hold this position for about 10-15 minutes and the bleeding should soon stop. If you get excessive nosebleeds or the bleeding doesn't stop after 30 minutes of applied pressure then it's best to seek medical advice.

Keep an eye on overall body swelling as severe swelling can be a sign of pre-eclampsia – your consultant or midwife will be examining you for this (and other pregnancy-related complications) at each antenatal appointment you attend.

Pic: Getty Images

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