Forget the pregnancy ‘glow’, we’re talking about what you can see ‘growing’. Beyond the swollen breasts, big legs and growing belly, there is something else that new moms report during pregnancy.
The social media app, Tik Tok, is filled with videos of moms-to-be showing before and after photos of their noses with a surprising difference very evident. The new video trend has people wondering: Wait, does your nose really change and grow during pregnancy?
The hashtag #pregnancynose on TikTok has 262 million views with women posting captions like, “Pregnancy will humiliate you” or “I’m going to be so cute when I’m pregnant, I can’t wait!” following a series of images showing women with much larger and wider noses.
So what’s up with this new trend? Is it real and is it common?
The short answer is: yes, while “pregnancy nose” is not an actual medical term, a side effect of pregnancy hormones is a swollen and enlarged nose.
Causes of nosebleeds in pregnancy
When you’re pregnant, estrogen helps the fetus mature, and it continues to grow throughout your pregnancy. They are at their peak during the third trimester. The increase in estrogen is usually associated with nausea, which we know as morning sickness. However, estrogen also dilates blood vessels, which contributes to swelling throughout the body from the feet to the nose.
When the blood vessels dilate, the nose may appear swollen and bulbous.
People with larger noses near the end of their pregnancy may also experience inflammation of the nasal cavities, causing sneezing, congestion and a runny nose. This condition, called rhinitis, affects 39% of pregnant women. One in five women experience nosebleeds during pregnancy as well.
Additional body swelling may include swelling of the legs and feet, or a noticeable white line running down the middle of your abdomen, which may darken. All this is due to the increase in estrogen levels, according to the American Pregnancy Association.
Is pregnancy nose permanent?
Fortunately for new moms, pregnancy nose is temporary. Within six weeks after giving birth, you can expect your nose to return to normal.
Some ways to manage and cope pregnancy nose include: elevate your head while you sleep, apply a cold compress to your nose, avoid too much salt to prevent fluid retention, and invest in a humidifier.
Unfortunately, there are currently no bulletproof methods for reducing swelling. Like most things in pregnancy, you just have to get through it.
For rhinitis, your OBGYN can provide a nasal spray that gives you some relief. A neti pot is another option for removing any mucus from the nasal cavity.
When can swelling be a concern?
While most people experience swelling, if it happens suddenly or is more than the average person, doctors may start to worry as it may be sign of preeclampsia.
Swelling that occurs quickly in the face, hands or feet could be a symptom of this condition, which is a blood pressure condition that is serious if left untreated. This condition usually occurs after 20th week of pregnancy and is when someone has high blood pressure and high levels of protein in their urine.
Treatment pre-eclampsia includes oral or intravenous medications, antihypertensive medications to lower blood pressure, anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures, and corticosteroids to protect the baby’s lungs.
Preeclampsia affects the baby in many ways. Low birth weight, premature birth, brain damage, learning disabilities, deafness, blindness and stillbirth are enough of the results that could happen.
If you are pregnant and experience rapid swelling, headache, blurred vision and nausea, contact your doctor immediately.
Other strange changes in pregnancy
Heart – In preparation for the birth of your baby, the mother’s heart physically grows while she is pregnant. The heart begins to have thicker muscles, as it has to work overtime for two, and it beats up eight times more during pregnancy to ensure there is enough oxygen for the baby.
Skin – Although you may have heard of the pregnancy “glow”, women tend to have darker skin while pregnant. In fact, 75% of women experience this common phenomenon, called melasma, which usually resolves after birth. While doctors don’t understand the rationale for the skin change, they believe it is due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone. Women taking birth control pills can also develop melasma.
Gums and teeth – Approximately 70% of women have gingivitis during pregnancy. Increases in estrogen and progesterone affect the gums and make them more susceptible to bleeding and infection. And your gums aren’t the only thing at risk. For women who experience nausea and vomiting, the teeth may be damaged by stomach acid.
Earaches – During pregnancy, the body works overtime. This means that the increased volume of oxygen and blood can cause your heart to work harder. If you have ear pain, it may be because some of this fluid has built up inside your ear. Over-the-counter pain relievers and warm compresses can help as a treatment. But always talk to your doctor before taking any medicine.
Overall — maybe more than you think — your body changes during pregnancy. Whether it’s a bigger nose, bigger breasts or a bigger waist, the body’s ability to give birth and produce life is a gift. And before you start frantically looking for a solution to reduce the size of your nose, remember that millions of women experience the same phenomenon, and remember that there is a light – and a newborn – at the end of the tunnel.
