The gestation period for each woman goes differently, depending on the individual characteristics of the body. However, there are problems that most future mothers are exposed to. One of the most common unpleasant situations is nasal congestion. During pregnancy, many women complain of constant sniffling and swelling of the nose. It is worth noting that these symptoms do not always indicate a cold. During the period of gestation, a woman can have problems with her nose most of the time, this does not mean that she has a cold all this time. There can be quite a lot of causes of a runny nose and nasal congestion during pregnancy, it is necessary to identify the main one in order to undergo adequate treatment.
Causes of Congestion
Why does swelling of the nose appear? Probably the most common answer is a cold or an infection in the body. Even an ordinary person cannot always defend himself against such pathogens, not to mention women in position. In addition, weakened immunity during pregnancy can also cause congestion. Rhinitis and sinusitis are quite common in expectant mothers.
Talking about the causes of nasal congestion during pregnancy, one cannot help but recall the allergic reactions. This is true if the patient has a dry manifestation of the disease. Allergic rhinitis can appear during pregnancy. Therefore, if nothing of the kind has been noticed before, this does not guarantee complete protection against the disease.
Often, severe nasal congestion is accompanied by other symptoms: fever, wet cough, sore throat, and weakness of the body.
The effects of swollen nose in the early stages
Pregnancy is a very difficult period in the life of every woman. As already noted, quite often the expectant mothers do not breathe, have swelling, etc. If a runny nose is observed in the first two months with interruptions and passes without complications, then there is no reason for concern. However, if rhinitis begins to be very disturbing, then this is an occasion to consult a doctor. It is best to get an appointment with an otorhinolaryngologist and gynecologist. After the examination, they will tell you what to do next for the patient.
Nasal congestion during early pregnancy is often caused by infection in the body. During this period, just in the child's internal organs begin to form, and any external pathogen is fraught with danger. Taking any medication without consulting a doctor is strictly prohibited. Medications can lead to uterine tone, which will provoke a miscarriage. The infection is withdrawn with the help of heavy drinking, saline solution for irrigation of the nasal mucosa and taking harmless tablets. A specific course of treatment will be a qualified specialist, and the patient must clearly follow this regimen.
Consequences of late congestion
Often there are situations when rhinitis is observed both at the beginning of the term and at the end of pregnancy. In this case, the methods of therapy will differ significantly, so you do not need to be treated at the old course in order to avoid negative consequences.
Nasal congestion during late pregnancy appears mainly due to hormonal changes. Further actions will be indicated by the attending physician. In the last trimester, the fetus is already formed, and a full-fledged baby lives in the womb. The risk of damage to the child in this case is markedly reduced, but it cannot be said that he is not at all. Harm can be done at this stage, if you self-medicate.
Another significant problem is the difficulty in breathing in expectant mothers. If not enough oxygen is delivered to the lungs, wait for oxygen starvation. In such a situation, all efforts should be directed to the treatment of rhinitis, so as not to damage the internal organs of the fetus. Nasal congestion can also be caused by physiology, then at the end of the term all symptoms will disappear, no medications should be taken.
When is it worth to see a doctor?
If nasal congestion during pregnancy torments the patient for more than three days, this is the first bell to contact a specialist. Everything related to health, it is better not to shelve it. By making an appointment with a therapist or ENT specialist, you will protect yourself from unnecessary complications.
How to treat nasal congestion during pregnancy? It depends on the reasons provoking a runny nose:
- if allergic rhinitis is observed, then the allergen must be eliminated. To achieve this, medications that create a certain barrier should be taken;
- with viral rhinitis, the vessels should be narrowed, and for this, doctors usually prescribe drops that are not prohibited for women in the position;
- bacterial rhinitis is treated with antiseptic agents. If a severe form is observed, it is recommended to use antibacterial therapy, which does not harm future mothers.
Should pregnant women rhinitis be treated?
It would seem that a stupid question, and so the answer is clear. Everything is not as simple as it seems at first glance. Above, we examined situations when nasal congestion during pregnancy was caused by a number of external factors. It is necessary to treat such a runny nose, and the sooner you start, the better.
However, in medicine there is such a thing as rhinitis of girls in position. This is the case when they talk about nasal congestion without a runny nose during pregnancy. The disease is observed for a long period, and then immediately passes after childbirth. This type of congestion does not require separate therapy, the expectant mother only needs to be patient. But not all women in position are able to show patience, most are still looking for a way to treat. In order not to damage anything, you can moisten the nasal passages with a special spray, and the problem is solved.
How to treat nasal congestion during pregnancy?
Of course, at the first manifestations of the common cold, not a single pregnant woman will run to the doctor. And this is understandable, because the swelling of the nose can be removed at home. However, not a single doctor recommends this tactic.
Still, you need to contact a specialist, but until this happens, future mothers can alleviate their suffering with the help of the following tools:
- the air should be humid, this is achieved with a special device and wet towels;
- coolness is required in the room, not more than 20 degrees, while it is necessary to constantly ventilate;
- plentiful drink, it is advisable to consume ordinary warm water;
- all possible avoidance of contact with an allergen;
- constant washing of the nose (below we will talk about how to do it correctly).
The most effective remedy for congestion
According to most qualified specialists, the most common and at the same time effective remedy for nose problems is drops. It is worth noting that the choice of these medications is of great importance. After all, some drops for the nose during pregnancy are used in the fight against SARS, others - with allergies, etc. We will consider these two types in more detail.
So, if congestion is caused by SARS, doctors recommend using the following drops:
- "Pinosol". This spray, like everyone else in our collection, does not pose any danger to pregnant women. In its composition - only natural components, they soften the nasal mucosa, thereby increasing local immunity.
- Grippferon. Probably one of the most popular ARVI drugs, it is prescribed to expectant mothers at any stage of pregnancy.
Allergy Drops
If swelling of the nose is caused by an allergy, then for a start it is necessary to deal with this manifestation of the disease. The following remedies will help eliminate signs of nasal congestion:
- "Flixonase." This drug is a spray that has a positive effect on the body during allergic reactions. Pregnant women are not recommended to use it, doctors prescribe the drug only in the last resort, when there is a real risk to the fetus.
- "Vibrocil." This is an example of good nasal drops during pregnancy. Of course, you can’t use the drug yourself, you need to consult a specialist. Doctors do not like to prescribe such drops, but their effectiveness forces doctors to make a choice in favor of this medication.
How to get rid of nasal congestion during pregnancy? If you do not want to use various drops, you can apply saline, which is sold in every pharmacy.
Alternative methods of therapy
Where without them? Traditional medicine is good, but fans of traditional methods of treatment have come up with their own methods, which are quite effective. Among them stand out:
- breathing exercises. Alternately, you should clamp one or the other nostril and inhale, exhale. Then you can breathe in and out through the mouth;
- warming up the legs. The fastest way to achieve this is to pour mustard powder in socks. Treatment of nasal congestion during pregnancy should be carried out in accordance with all the rules in order to avoid unpleasant consequences;
- horseradish with apple and sugar. Horseradish has long been considered the best way to deal with a runny nose. For pregnant women, it is recommended to mix it with apple and sugar and eat this mixture slowly for several days. In addition to the fact that congestion will pass, plus immunity will increase.
How to rinse your nose?
To cope with nasal congestion during pregnancy, you need to properly rinse it. The sequence of actions is extremely important, because otherwise you will not get a positive result. Rinsing cleanses the nasal cavity of bacteria, viruses, relieves swelling, etc.
In order to qualitatively perform this action, it is necessary to use any saline solution like Aquamaris or Aqualor. So, the algorithm is as follows:
- first, tilt your head to the side so that it is parallel to the floor;
- then you need to hold your breath;
- pour a small amount of saline into one nostril;
- if you did everything correctly, then the fluid will flow out from the other nostril.
It should be noted that this method should only be used with a level partition. If you have otitis media or a curved septum, flushing with this method is contraindicated.
The consequences of nasal congestion during pregnancy
Contrary to popular belief, a simple runny nose during pregnancy can lead to unpleasant results. First of all, we are talking about the health of the child, well, the future mother, too, respectively. Nasal congestion, if you do not apply any action against the disease, will cause oxygen starvation. This, as you know, slows down the development of the baby.
If we talk about the irreversible consequences, then it is worth noting a complete halt to the development of the fetus and then a miscarriage. Therefore, even at the slightest manifestation of unpleasant symptoms, girls in a position should immediately consult a specialist.
Prevention
So that during pregnancy the expectant mother feels good and does not suffer from a stuffy nose, it is necessary to observe preventive measures. Here are some of the rules:
- drinking plenty of ordinary water without gas, you need to consume about two liters per day;
- humidify air at work and at home. Now it is easy to do this, since there are special devices - humidifiers;
- Avoid various odors, especially perfume, powder, smoke, etc.
- dress warmly and prevent colds from attacking the body;
- regular physical activity is necessary, this has a positive effect on health.
By following these simple recommendations, a girl in a position will be able to protect herself from the problem of nasal congestion. In addition, the chance of having a healthy baby is increased, and this is the most important thing.