What Is Pregnancy Nose?
Pregnancy comes with plenty of changes that go far beyond the bump—some expected and others that might catch you off guard. Every now and then, a lesser-known symptom grabs the spotlight and goes viral. The latest? “Pregnancy nose.” From celebrities like Chrissy Teigen joking about her nose “gaining weight” to TikTokers detailing their pregnancy nose before and afters, this phenomenon has everyone asking: What is pregnancy nose, exactly? To clear up the confusion, we spoke with experts to understand what causes it, how to manage it and when you can expect it to go away. (Spoiler alert: It’s completely harmless!) Here’s what you need to know.
Pregnancy nose is a condition in which a pregnant person or mom-to-be’s nose swells and/or changes shape during pregnancy, says Christine Greves, MD, FACOG, an ob-gyn at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute. And while it’s not a real medical term, it’s a very real phenomenon.
Greg Marchand, MD, FACS, FICS, FACOG, an ob-gyn and expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, says pregnancy nose typically happens during the third trimester around the 30-week mark and adds about 10 to 15 percent to the size of the nose. Unlike other nasal conditions you might face during pregnancy, such as rhinitis and nosebleeds, pregnancy nose is not of any medical concern, notes Marchand. That said, some moms-to-be are worried about an unwanted aesthetic change in their nose size and shape. (Rest assured, it’s temporary!)
From puffy ankles to fingers, your nose often isn’t the only thing that’s swelling during pregnancy. Like many pregnancy changes, this is tied to a flux in hormones. Greves says the dilation—or relaxation and widening—of blood vessels happens due to elevated estrogen levels during pregnancy. “Blood vessels dilate as the body prepares to deliver a baby,” Marchand says. “This dilation leads to an increase in the volume of blood, as the body knows from evolution that baby delivery involves a fair loss of blood, and more volume is required to survive this.”
Marchand explains that there are several non-pregnancy nose side effects of this dilation, including varicose veins in the legs and migraine headaches. But since your nose is smack dab in the center of your face, pregnancy nose might just be more noticeable. “Blood vessels in the nose can dilate during pregnancy, and since this tiny area of the body generally has very little tissue or fat, this dilation can drastically change the size and shape of the nose,” he says. Pregnant people with more nasal tissue may see more swelling as there’s more space for the blood to flow, adds Greves.
Unfortunately, there’s really no way to prevent pregnancy nose as the changes that cause it are a natural part of a healthy pregnancy, experts say. Greves notes there are a few small things you can do to help alleviate the swelling, from staying hydrated to holding your head upright so no fluid accumulates in the area.
The good news is that pregnancy nose is typically temporary. “Changes generally resolve completely by six weeks [postpartum],” says Marchand. If your nose doesn’t return to normal within that time frame, be patient—everyone’s postpartum recovery is different. “Some degree of change can be permanent, especially in mothers that have had multiple babies and have experienced a worsening ‘pregnancy nose’ each time,” notes Marchand.
While pregnancy nose is typically a temporary aesthetic concern, if it persists and bothers you enough, it’s perfectly okay to check in with a doctor. And if you’re having trouble breathing, have developed nosebleeds or feel like any of your pregnancy nose symptoms are affecting your daily activities, you should definitely consult with a provider.
Navigating the constant physical changes of pregnancy can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that most of these symptoms are temporary. If you’re struggling with changes like pregnancy nose, dry skin or acne during pregnancy, know that it’s completely normal. Soon enough, you’ll start to feel like yourself again—or perhaps even a new, improved version of you.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Christine Greves, MD, FACOG, is an ob-gyn at the Orlando Health Women’s Institute. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
Greg Marchand, MD, FACS, FICS, FACOG, is an ob-gyn and expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, as well as the founder of the Marchand Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery in Arizona. He leads the Society of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgeons-accredited fellowship at Steward Health. He earned his medical degree from Spartan Health Sciences University in St. Lucia.
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