Nasal congestion in pregnancy. Nasal congestion during pregnancy: symptoms and treatment of rhinitis Stuffy nose in a pregnant woman than to treat

The hormone estrogen released during pregnancy contributes to an increase in the number of sensitive nerve endings ( receptors) of the vascular wall. These endings respond to the substance released during allergies - histamine ( hence they are called histamine receptors). When histamine receptors are stimulated, small blood vessels expand, mucus secretion increases, and mucosal edema occurs.

An allergic reaction in a pregnant woman does not cause an allergic reaction in the fetus, because immune particles do not pass through the placenta. The action of the allergen is limited to the nasal cavity. At the same time, allergic rhinitis is no less unpleasant for a baby, as it may not receive enough oxygen, and also feel the side effects of antiallergic drugs that are prescribed to the mother to relieve symptoms. In addition, after a week of pregnancy, the body of the fetus may begin to produce antibodies ( immune particles), similar to those produced by the mother's body. If, after birth, the same allergic substance enters the baby’s body that caused allergic rhinitis in his mother during gestation, then the child with a 50% probability may develop the same allergic reaction.

Vasomotor ( hormone) rhinitis

The most common cause of a stuffy nose in a woman in position is precisely vasomotor rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis is the cause of almost constant nasal congestion in women during pregnancy, while there is no increase in body temperature or signs of an allergic reaction. The cause of vasomotor rhinitis is an inadequate vascular response ( vase - vessel, motor - movement) of the nasal mucosa, which, in turn, depends on the changes that occur in the body of a pregnant woman. Therefore, the second name of vasomotor rhinitis in pregnant women is hormonal rhinitis. When a woman inhales cold air or air saturated with the aromas of a certain substance, this also affects the vascular tone, it changes dramatically. Rapid and abrupt expansion of blood vessels causes swelling of the mucosa.

The following factors contribute to the development of vasomotor rhinitis during pregnancy:

• Hormonal background. The hormone estrogen released during pregnancy causes an increase in acetylcholine. This substance is a transmitter mediator) nerve impulse. If there is a lot of acetylcholine, then many impulses enter the vessels, causing relaxation of their muscle wall - the vessels expand.
• Increase in circulating blood volume. The volume of blood in the vascular bed after the second trimester increases by 1.5 - 2 liters. This means that the load on the circulatory networks of different organs increases. The more blood in the vascular bed, the greater the likelihood of congestion. Stagnation of blood in the nasal cavity leads to swelling of the mucous membrane and narrowing of the nasal passages.
• Vasodilation. During pregnancy, especially in the early stages, there is a tendency to dilate blood vessels. This is due to the influence of the second female sex hormone progesterone. It acts on the muscular wall of the vessels, relaxing it, as a result, the diameter of the vessels increases. Vasodilation, or vasodilation, is necessary to allow the organs to work in an adaptation mode for pregnancy. However, the tendency to expand the vessels of the nasal cavity negatively affects breathing, as it also contributes to the swelling of the mucous membrane.

Chronic rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis is a long-term lesion of the nasal mucosa before pregnancy, while the form of chronic rhinitis can be allergic, vasomotor and infectious. Chronic rhinitis is characterized by exacerbations and periods when symptoms do not bother a woman. Considering that during pregnancy the whole organism is restructured, any hormonal and immune shift can cause an exacerbation of chronic rhinitis in a future mother.

sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses. These sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity, so with sinusitis, the nose can also “stop breathing”. This happens when the process of air exchange between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses is disturbed. This process is disturbed if the mucous membrane of the already narrow fistulas between the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses swells due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Against the background of reduced immunity during pregnancy, an infection that has entered the sinus can quickly cause purulent inflammation, so women get sinusitis 6 times more often during pregnancy compared to other periods of their lives.

Tumors and pathological formations of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses

Any pathological formation in the nasal cavity, in the nasopharynx or in the paranasal sinuses narrows the lumen of the upper respiratory tract. This means that the pregnant woman will constantly feel that her “nose is not breathing” or stuffed up. Pathological formation, in addition to a mechanical obstacle to the flow of air, also causes irritation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, and in response to this, the membrane reacts with increased production of mucus. The result is swelling of the mucous membrane and nasal congestion.

The following pathological formations of the upper respiratory tract can lead to nasal congestion in a pregnant woman:

• adenoids- proliferation of lymphoid ( made up of lymphocytes of the immune system) tissues or "little tonsils" that can form in the nasopharynx, preventing the movement of air flow;
• polyps- these are growths of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses, which hang on a thin stalk, also blocking the lumen of the nasal passages;
• mucocele- mucosal tumor fluid-filled cyst), which is formed if fistulas or ducts between the nose and paranasal sinuses are closed;
• hematoma of the nasal septum- this is the blood that has accumulated under the cartilage or under the periosteum during injury;
• abscess of the nasal septum- a cavity filled with pus.

Deviated septum

A deviated septum is a condition in which there is deformity and displacement towards the cartilage or bone that makes up the nasal septum. A pregnant woman may not always know that she has a deviated septum, as it is not always visible from the outside. A deviated septum could be due to trauma or uneven growth of the facial bones, as well as due to a chronic pathological formation in the nasal septum ( for example, an enlarged turbinate or swelling), which move the partition to the side.

Stuffy nose in early and late terms (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters)

Conventionally, the terms of bearing a child are divided into early and late. Early term is pregnancy before - a week ( at this time, the woman begins to feel the movement of the fetus). However, the period of 12 weeks is important - this is the first trimester. It is after this period that the placenta is formed in the uterus ( children's place), which takes on the regulation of hormonal, immune and other functions of both the female body and the body of the fetus. In the first trimester, the fetus is very fragile, the hormonal background is unstable, so all changes in the well-being of a pregnant woman at this time cause more concern than after.

In the early stages of pregnancy, allergic rhinitis practically does not bother a pregnant woman, even if it was observed before pregnancy. This is due to the fact that at the beginning of pregnancy a lot of histaminase substance is released, which neutralizes histamine ( allergy stimulant). This is a necessary measure. In the first trimester, the immunity of a pregnant woman is sharply suppressed so as not to cause rejection of the fetal egg ( in response to fetal proteins, the mother's body can begin to produce antibodies).

Thus, in early pregnancy, nasal congestion is more likely to be associated with SARS than with other causes.

In the later stages, the likelihood of developing allergic and vasomotor rhinitis is higher, since after the formation of the placenta, the hormonal background normalizes, the amount of histaminase produced decreases, and the tendency to an allergic reaction ( if it exists) may appear. The same applies to vasomotor rhinitis, for which the most favorable conditions are created in the second trimester ( blood vessels dilate, blood volume increases).

Another contributing factor to nasal congestion is gastroesophageal reflux ( reverse flow of food from the stomach to the esophagus). This phenomenon is especially typical for the 3rd trimester, when the uterus enlarges so much that it begins to put pressure on the diaphragm ( muscular organ between chest and abdomen). The esophagus, which has an opening in the diaphragm, also changes its position. This contributes to heartburn. Heartburn itself does not affect nasal congestion. But sometimes, in the prone position, the food masses, when cast, fall into the pharynx, reaching the nasopharynx. Irritation of the mucous membrane causes its swelling and often leads to nasal congestion.

In the second and third trimester, with nasal congestion, the following complications may occur:

• insufficiency of the placenta the processes necessary to maintain pregnancy are disrupted);
• damage to the nervous system of the fetus;
• the risk of preterm birth or the risk of having a baby with low birth weight.

In the later stages, the influenza virus also affects the fetus, but the consequences of the infection can affect the baby after childbirth. In children who have had the flu in utero, weak immunity, speech defects, allergic reactions, and more are observed.

Constant stuffy nose during pregnancy

Some women report that nasal congestion does not go away, despite the fact that they do not have a runny nose. There are 2 options to consider here. The first option is that a pregnant woman has increased sensitivity to hormones, and the hormonal background of pregnancy is designed to dilate blood vessels, including small vessels in the nasal cavity. For this reason, the nose can be permanently blocked during the entire duration of pregnancy. The second option - the causative factor that causes nasal congestion continues to operate. If a woman had chronic rhinitis and sinusitis even before pregnancy, then these pathologies during pregnancy will periodically remind of themselves. If a woman has an allergy, and the irritant is constantly near ( pets, pollen and more), then nasal congestion will constantly disturb the pregnant woman.

Nasal congestion at night and lying down

If nasal congestion bothers a pregnant woman at night, then most likely the cause is vasomotor rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis is not so much an inflammation of the nasal mucosa as an altered vascular response, which leads to a sharp expansion of small blood vessels. The risk of a sharp expansion of blood vessels increases at night, when the influence of the parasympathetic division of the nervous system predominates. This department works through the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. As mentioned above, acetylcholine causes relaxation of the vascular muscles and leads to their expansion. As a result, the blood vessels of the nasal cavity expand sharply, the liquid part of the blood passes through their wall into the intercellular space, and the mucous membrane swells, and the nose is blocked. There is no sneezing ( maybe, but rarely), also there is no itching in the nose.

In the supine position, blood flow to the vessels increases, so it is during sleep that a pregnant woman often notes nasal congestion on one or both sides. Unilateral nasal congestion often means paranasal sinus involvement ( sinusitis), when a certain position covers the channel between the sinus and the nasal cavity, mucus is stuffed there, which then enters the nose and "lays" it.

Another reason that can cause nasal congestion at night is an allergy to down or other bedding materials. In such cases, however, in addition to congestion, symptoms such as itching in the nose and sneezing are also observed.

What to do in this case?

The first thing to do when such a complaint appears is to consult a doctor. To start treatment, you need to know exactly the cause of nasal congestion, and for this the woman will have to undergo an examination.

The doctor will ask the pregnant woman the following questions to find out the cause of nasal congestion:

• When did the symptoms start?
• How quickly did the nose stop breathing?
• Is the pregnant woman allergic to anything?
• Was there contact with a patient suffering from acute or chronic respiratory disease?
• Have you been vaccinated against influenza?
• Does the pregnant woman have chronic respiratory diseases?
• Were there similar complaints before pregnancy?
• What drugs did the pregnant woman take before pregnancy?

Examination of a pregnant woman with nasal congestion includes the following studies:

• PCR-diagnostics ( analysis for the detection of infectious agents);
• immunogram ( blood test for immunity and allergy susceptibility);
• bacteriological method ( sowing swabs from the nose on a nutrient medium to identify the causative agent of infectious rhinitis);
• pulse oximetry ( determination of blood oxygen saturation);
• ultrasound procedure ( ultrasound) paranasal sinuses, larynx and trachea, as well as the heart;
• rhinoscopy ( examination of the nasal cavity).

How to treat when the nose does not breathe during pregnancy?

Treatment of nasal congestion in women during pregnancy always requires an individual approach. If the expectant mother does not have an infection or allergic reaction, and the nose is stuffy due to hormonal changes, then various non-drug methods can be used to relieve symptoms. In the first trimester of pregnancy, it is undesirable to use any medications, as well as a large amount of honey or vitamins. Doctors recommend that if symptoms are not very pronounced in the first trimester, limit yourself to bed rest and drinking herbal tea. After 12 weeks, doctors may use more nasal congestion remedies.

For the treatment of nasal congestion with allergies and hormonal rhinitis, doctors recommend the following:

• Stop contact with the substance that causes the allergic reaction. Dusty things should be removed from the room in which the pregnant woman sleeps ( carpets, curtains, toys and more). A woman with allergies should not clean the house, animals should not live next to her ( it is desirable that pets live in another house during pregnancy). You must not be in a room where people smoke. It also contributes to the occurrence of rhinitis
• Isolate from the source of infection. A pregnant woman should not communicate with people who are sick with a cold. If one of the people living in the same house with the pregnant woman is sick, then they should wear masks.
• Review the medications you are taking. Some of them may cause an allergic reaction.
• Drink plenty of fluids. If there are no problems with the kidneys, then a woman should drink plenty of water, especially mineral water, milk can also be used. The amount of fluid taken per day should be at least 1.5 - 2 liters.
• If there is heartburn, eliminate it. Heartburn caused by the backflow of gastric juice into the esophagus can cause food masses to enter the nasopharynx, which causes irritation and swelling of the mucous membrane, ultimately leading to nasal congestion. To prevent such phenomena from occurring, measures should be taken in the last trimester of pregnancy to prevent the reflux of food into the esophagus from the stomach ( go to bed 2 hours after eating, raise the head end of the bed, do not drink coffee and other substances that increase the secretion of gastric juice).
• Start taking vitamins. If a pregnant woman did not take vitamin complexes before conception ( usually in cases where the pregnancy was unplanned), it is important that she start drinking them already during pregnancy. For colds and nasal congestion, vitamin C is especially indicated ( however, its dose should be clarified with a doctor, since an overdose is fraught with undesirable consequences for a pregnant woman.).
• Rinse the nasal cavity decoction of chamomile, calendula ( with the same herbs, inhalations can be carried out, but not for very long).
• Attach boiled eggs to the nose. Freshly brewed, still hot but not burning) eggs can be applied to the nose if the nose is just starting to block up, especially if the symptom arose after hypothermia. This is a kind of way to "deceive" the body, which has already "decided to get sick." Heat locally will allow the vessels to restore their tone ( after hypothermia, they are sharply narrowed, and then expand sharply, which causes nasal congestion and mucus secretion) and make the mucus less thick, making it easier to excrete.
• Reflex point massage. With a runny nose and nasal congestion, massage points on the face are effective. These are paired points on both sides), which are located in the region of the bridge of the nose, at the wings of the nose, in the region of the cheeks under the eyes. With nasal congestion, these points become sensitive, so they are easy to find. You need to massage for one minute each point on both sides. Repeat several times a day.

It is very important to restore the patency of the upper nasal passages and relieve nasal congestion in a pregnant woman, even if she does not have an upper respiratory tract infection. Considering that immunity during pregnancy is in a suppressed state, a violation of air circulation in the nose, nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses will contribute to the infection ( these are those conditionally pathogenic bacteria that are normally present in all healthy people in these cavities) and the development of already infectious rhinitis, which is much more difficult to treat.

With SARS, treatment is carried out at home. A woman is admitted to the hospital only if the infection is complicated by pneumonia, damage to the heart or central nervous system. If an acute respiratory tract infection is suspected, the leading pregnant obstetrician-gynecologist will refer the woman to an infectious disease specialist, since the obstetrician is responsible for the health of the fetus, and the infectious disease specialist is responsible for the health of the mother. Influenza vaccination as a preventive measure is possible after 12 weeks of pregnancy. In other cases, a pregnant woman can be consulted by specialists such as an ENT doctor ( otolaryngologist) and an allergist.

A pregnant woman is hospitalized if nasal congestion is combined with the following symptoms:

• fever ( body temperature above 38ºC);
• shortness of breath or severe respiratory failure ( difficulty inhaling or exhaling, breathing is hoarse);
• coughing.

Physiotherapy is recommended for women with a tendency to nasal congestion. As prescribed by a doctor, you can use medicinal electrophoresis with calcium chloride and zinc, which has an anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect.

If a woman has weak immunity, then anti-influenza immunoglobulin is additionally prescribed.

Medical treatment

Many pregnant women refuse to take drugs, as they can harm the fetus. However, it is very important to know that in the presence of an infection, the lack of treatment can lead to serious purulent complications that can only be eliminated surgically. In the most severe cases, if the necessary drugs are not prescribed, then blood poisoning may develop - sepsis.

Drugs that are used during pregnancy if the nose is stuffy

Surgery

If there are purulent complications in the paranasal sinuses, then surgery may be required to get rid of nasal congestion and completely remove the purulent focus. It is carried out in cases where no other methods ( medicines) do not give an effect, and if left untreated, there is a risk of infection of the blood and the fetus. Operations are performed by an ENT doctor under local anesthesia. After the procedure, the pregnant woman can return home in the next few hours ( no need for hospitalization unless there are severe signs of acute infection). In other cases, an operation to eliminate the cause of nasal congestion in a pregnant woman is prescribed after childbirth.

What nose drops can pregnant women (medicine, folk remedies)?

It is not recommended to use ordinary vasoconstrictor nasal drops for pregnant women ( many of them are contraindicated), especially in the later stages and in the presence of late toxicosis of pregnant women ( increased blood pressure, impaired renal function), since the drug injected into the nasal cavity can still enter the general circulation and cause vasoconstriction in other organs. Most often, this leads to an increase in blood pressure, increased heart rate. Nasal corticosteroids, as mentioned above, can be used to restore nasal breathing, but if symptoms are not expressed, it is better not to resort to them.

Pregnant women are allowed the following drops to eliminate nasal congestion:

• Hypertonic sea salt solution ( aqua maris, marimer). This solution remains the safest and most effective for relieving the symptom of nasal congestion in pregnant women. The solution helps to thin the mucus in the nasal cavity and remove it. It can be used for any type of rhinitis. The number of injections is determined by the doctor.
• Homeopathic preparations. The products are of plant origin, but, despite this, they can be harmful if the dosage is incorrect. For pregnant women, the doctor may recommend such remedies as edas 131, euphorbium compositum. Means have anti-inflammatory, decongestant and even anti-allergic effect. Women may notice an increase in nasal congestion when using these remedies in the early days, but this is the basis of the principle of homeopathic treatment - to increase the symptoms in order to get the opposite effect ( "wedge wedge").
• Folk remedies. Among everyday and natural remedies for nasal congestion, aloe juice can help pregnant women ( instilled in the nose), garlic ( you need to inhale its "aroma").
• Essential oils. The pleasant smell of many essential oils can also relieve nasal congestion. A woman can use oils of coniferous trees, eucalyptus, mint. When they are inhaled, one feels freshness and the effect of "cold", and their direct effect causes the restoration of vascular tone, they contract, as a result, the nose begins to breathe.
• Balm "Asterisk". This balm contains natural oils ( eucalyptus, clove, mint), as well as camphor. A very good effect can be obtained if you massage the reflex points with the application of this balm. Essential oils help to ease breathing, and also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Vasoconstrictor drops. Pregnant women in a small dosage are allowed to use drops, but not all. In this case, doctors prescribe drops with caution, the active ingredient of which has the least weak effect on the fetus ( all vasoconstrictor drops affect the fetus in one way or another). This approach is justified by the fact that if left untreated, the situation may worsen. During pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe nasal drops such as ximelin, tizin, vibrocil. In the first trimester of pregnancy, no vasoconstrictor nasal drops can not be used.

The danger of all nasal drops is also that they are addictive. This means that with prolonged instillation, firstly, a weakening of the effect is noted ( have to use higher and higher doses), and secondly, when the drugs are canceled ( when the cause of congestion has already been eliminated, but the symptom remains) nasal congestion occurs as a side effect. The withdrawal syndrome occurs due to the fact that the constant blockade of nerve endings by the drug increases the number of these nerve endings on the vessel. If the drug does not enter the body on time, then the nerve endings react to other substances in the body ( with a vasodilating effect, e.g. on acetylcholine) and, moreover, several times stronger than before the use of the drug. Withdrawal syndrome occurs if you use vasoconstrictor nasal drops for more than three days in a row.

To eliminate nasal congestion caused by the drugs themselves, it takes time, the absence of the drug in the body and other ways to restore breathing. Gradually, the number of nerve endings will decrease ( what is called, the sensitivity of the vessels will be restored), and nasal congestion will go away.

A pregnant woman who is worried about the health of her unborn child understands how important it is to avoid the influence of harmful environmental factors throughout the entire period of gestation. Expectant mothers are very worried when they notice symptoms characteristic of SARS, for example, nasal congestion. Sounding the alarm ahead of time is not worth it - if you have a stuffy nose during pregnancy, this is not an indicator that you have a cold. Why do pregnant women get stuffy nose, and how to deal with this unpleasant condition? That is what we will discuss in this article.

Hormones to blame?

Hormonal changes in different periods of human development significantly affect the state of blood vessels, and consequently, the mucous membranes, which are densely permeated with a capillary network. Some hormones change vascular tone, others cause an increase in circulating blood volume and contribute to greater blood filling of the vessels, and still others change the response of the vascular walls to environmental factors (for example, increase sensitivity to allergens, cold, humidity, etc.).

The state of the blood vessels quickly affects nasal breathing - if the vessels are dilated, the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx swells, and the nose becomes stuffy.

Thus, it is not surprising that so often women stuff up their nose during pregnancy - this is a period accompanied by sharp fluctuations in hormonal levels. Literally from the first days of pregnancy, the level of estradiol, estriol and other hormones in the body is constantly growing. They have the following effects:

1. Estrogens (estradiol, estrone, etc.) are vasodilator hormones. They contribute to the expansion of blood vessels, which often causes swelling of the mucous membrane and nasal congestion.
2. Estradiol promotes the growth of cartilage - this is necessary to facilitate childbirth, but can negatively affect the anatomy of the nasal cavity (this is why the shape of the nose changes in some women during pregnancy). The growth of cartilage sometimes leads to partial congestion.
3. Progesterone retains water in the tissues, and the longer the gestation period, the more fluid is retained. For this reason, pregnant women often suffer from edema, in particular, the nasopharynx.
4. Adrenal hormones, in particular, cortisol, on the contrary, constrict blood vessels, but when it is in excess (for example, during emotional stress), fluid is retained in the tissues, which also causes swelling.

Changes that occur in the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx during pregnancy are often referred to as "rhinitis of pregnancy." Its symptoms are very similar to those of vasomotor rhinitis, a disease of the nasopharynx, which also often develops as a result of hormonal imbalance.

According to various sources, from 5 to 32% of women at different gestation periods face signs of rhinitis during pregnancy. It is worth noting that the risk of developing rhinitis during pregnancy is higher in women who smoke, women suffering from chronic sinusitis, and those prone to allergic reactions.

Symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis

Not any runny nose in a pregnant woman can be called rhinitis of pregnant women - this is a separate disease that has certain manifestations and features of the course. According to the researchers of this problem, rhinitis of pregnant women should be suspected in the presence of the following symptoms:

Nasal congestion not only brings discomfort to the mother, but also adversely affects the condition of the child. He finds himself in conditions of chronic lack of oxygen, which can slow down development.

Hypoxia has a particularly negative effect on the fetus in early pregnancy.

Treatment

Thus, we figured out why expectant mothers lay their noses. But can something be done about it? How to alleviate the condition of a pregnant woman?

First of all, if rhinitis of pregnant women is suspected, a woman should consult a therapist. The fact is that the symptoms of rhinitis during pregnancy are in many ways similar to the symptoms of other types of rhinitis (primarily vasomotor). It is also possible that you are dealing with infections - SARS, sinusitis, etc. It is not always possible to distinguish these diseases on your own. The doctor will prescribe blood and nasal mucus tests - this will make it possible to exclude the allergic and infectious causes of the disease, which will avoid prescribing unnecessary medications.

When treating nasal congestion in a pregnant woman, it is important not only to make the woman feel better, but also to prevent the negative impact of the drugs used on the fetus.

What can not be done?

During pregnancy, the use of vasoconstrictor drugs for the nose, such as Naphthyzin, Nazivin, Dlyanos, Evkazolin and analogues, is not allowed. Firstly, vasoconstrictors can be used for only 5-7 days, which is usually not enough for long-term relief from rhinitis of pregnancy. Secondly, all vasoconstrictor drugs affect the tone and permeability of blood vessels, which is completely undesirable during childbearing.

However, many doctors consider it acceptable to use children's vasoconstrictor drugs (they are less concentrated and have a lower dosage, i.e., when instilled, they give a drop of a smaller volume). At the same time, even children's vasoconstrictor drops should be instilled into the nose in extreme cases, if the nose is very stuffy, or you cannot fall asleep due to problems with nasal breathing.

What is possible?

Among nasal products, the safest are saline solution, as well as drops and sprays based on sea water. Irrigation of the mucous membrane and washing of the nasal cavity or nasopharynx is used. Such procedures wash off allergens and other irritants from the mucosa, contribute to the thinning and outflow of mucus from the nasopharynx, reduce swelling, and prevent the development of congestive processes.

The doctor may prescribe hormonal nasal drops for the pregnant woman. They relieve swelling due to a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. One of the advantages of hormonal drops is their poor absorption into the blood from the mucosa. For example, Avamys, Aldecin are quite safe and approved for pregnant women. At the same time, hormonal drops significantly reduce local immunity, as a result of which the expectant mother becomes more susceptible to various viruses, bacteria and fungi. That is why you can use such nasal drops only under the supervision of a doctor.

Also, a woman should pay attention to such simple ways to facilitate nasal breathing, such as moisturizing and purifying the air in the house, frequent walks, massage of the paranasal zone, and moderate head elevation (high pillow) during sleep. You should be careful with traditional medicine - often its consequences are more deplorable than those of pharmaceutical products.

Usually, the symptoms of rhinitis disappear spontaneously 1-2 weeks after childbirth, so if congestion began to bother you in the later stages, it makes sense to give up strong medications and use more gentle methods of dealing with congestion, for example, instillation of saline drops, etc.

Content

Carrying a baby is a happy, but difficult period in the life of every woman, since the load on the body is very high. It is practically impossible to find a future mother who would not face such consequences as toxicosis, swelling, back pain during pregnancy. Nasal congestion is no less common when carrying a child. In order not to overshadow the waiting period of a beloved child with such an unpleasant problem, expectant mothers must know how to effectively and safely get rid of it.

Why do pregnant women get stuffy nose

Expectant mothers have unstable immunity. Their body is overly susceptible to various infections, so it is difficult to say exactly why the obstruction of the olfactory organ occurred during pregnancy without an appropriate preliminary diagnosis and assessment of the general condition of the patient. There are many factors that cause such a problem, but the most common is rhinitis.

The disease occurs as a result of a viral infection entering the nasal cavity or contact of a pregnant woman with substances that cause an allergic reaction. With rhinitis, the mucous membrane of the nasal passages becomes inflamed, which leads to their swelling, causing stagnation of the mucous secretion in the sinuses. Pathology develops rapidly and negatively affects the development of the fetus.

Allergic rhinitis is manifested by the contact of the expectant mother with pets, inhalation of the pollen of some plants, household dust. Infectious rhinitis is seasonal, it is often diagnosed during periods of peak incidence of influenza, SARS. The impetus for the development of infectious pathology can be hypothermia of the body, violations of local immunity, trauma to the organ of smell.

Allergic rhinitis is a consequence of a long stay of a pregnant woman in an unventilated room filled with dust, various chemical or toxic waste. It can also occur when wearing fur products during the spring flowering period. Poplar fluff and other small particles that a woman inhales on the street or within the house lead to swelling of the nasal passages and their congestion during pregnancy.

The reasons

Not only rhinitis can cause stagnation of mucus in the nasal passages. Many other pathologies disrupt its normal secretion, such as:

• sinusitis (inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses, which occurs as a consequence of untimely or ineffective treatment of rhinitis, influenza, various infectious diseases, after injuries to the olfactory organ, caused by bacterial or viral infections);
• hormonal rhinitis (not associated with colds, infectious, viral diseases, leads to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the olfactory organ, its swelling, is caused by an increased level of hormones in the body);
• colds (an extensive group of acute respiratory viral infections caused by numerous pathogens that are common and to which there is susceptibility);
• proliferation of nasopharyngeal polyps or adenoids (pathology can lead to impaired fetal development, develops due to past infections of the upper respiratory tract, taking medications, exposure to toxic substances on the body);
• curvature of the nasal septum (pathology occurs in pregnant women due to the growth of polyps, nasal concha, mechanical trauma, tumors).

Common causes of nasal congestion during early pregnancy:

1. decreased immunity;
2. allergic reactions to certain irritants;
3. infections, bacteria, viruses;
4. hormonal changes in the body.

Causes of nasal congestion during late pregnancy:

• increased production in the body of a large number of hormones estrogen and progesterone;
• bacterial and viral infections;
• increase in the volume of circulating blood;
• drying of the mucosa due to the low level of humidity in the room, allergic reactions, an increase in the amount of circulating blood;

Whatever the cause of nasal congestion during pregnancy, it must be identified and eliminated in a timely manner, otherwise the processes occurring in the woman's body can adversely affect the development and formation of the fetus. In addition, a runny nose causes great discomfort. For the expectant mother:

1. worsening mood, appetite, well-being;
2. there is poor sleep and weakness;
3. excessive irritability, rapid fatigue are noted.

Symptoms

If a runny nose appeared during the period of bearing the baby, then you need to immediately begin the correct and effective treatment, and in order to do this, be sure to find out what reason led to such a consequence. The following symptoms indicate that a pregnant woman has infectious rhinitis:

• feeling of dryness, itching and burning in the nose;
• constant headache, periodically increasing;
• an increase in body temperature up to 37.5 degrees;
• excessive secretion of mucus from the organ of smell;
• difficult breathing;
• decreased sensitivity to odors;
• lacrimation;
• throat swelling.

Allergic vasomotor rhinitis is defined by symptoms such as:

• itching and burning;
• cough;
• paroxysmal sneezing;
• lacrimation;
• snoring and sniffling;
• voice change.

Symptoms of inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa caused by hormonal changes in the body:

• dryness of the nasal cavity;
• the formation of a crust in the nose;
• sneezing
• violation of nasal breathing;
• bad sleep;
• night snoring;
• constant feeling of fatigue, lethargy.

With hormonal rhinitis, nasal congestion during pregnancy occurs immediately and goes away by itself after the birth of the baby. It is not necessary to treat pathology in a special way. Discharge from the nose with hormonal rhinitis has a transparent color, does not contain impurities of pus and blood, as is the case with an infectious or bacterial disease. Coryza worse lying down. Temperature, cough and headaches are not observed with hormonal rhinitis.

Danger

It is impossible to ignore a runny nose during pregnancy, as well as to engage in its self-treatment. The danger of such actions is very great. It must be understood that a woman during the period of gestation experiences increased emotional stress, toxicosis, she needs constant good rest. With a runny nose, nasal breathing is difficult: this causes severe discomfort, the pregnant woman cannot sleep normally, as a result of which she becomes tired, irritable, she is tormented by frequent headaches and dizziness.

Other consequences of untimely and improper treatment of nasal congestion in expectant mothers:

Nasal congestion treatment during pregnancy

Without exception, all drugs that are prescribed for rhinitis cannot be used during the period of bearing a baby. In any trimester, only those means that have a mild and gentle effect on the body of the expectant mother can be used. This is due to the fact that during pregnancy the female body is extremely vulnerable and is able to respond to incoming treatment with problems associated with the development of the embryo and the full functioning of the organs.

Pregnant women are not recommended to use vasoconstrictor drops for a runny nose. They cause a narrowing of the capillaries of the placenta, which negatively affects the general condition of the fetus, which does not receive enough oxygen and the required nutrients. If for certain reasons it is impossible to use more gentle methods of therapy, you need to choose only those drugs that have a minimum concentration and children's dosage.

Two more groups of medications, which are better to refuse during the gestation period:

• saline solutions for washing the sinuses (their use often leads to the development of ear pathologies);
• antibacterial drops, which contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, indanazoline, tetrizoline, naphazoline (medicines containing these components are dangerous for a child, because they negatively affect the laying of all systems of his body).

Medical therapy

It should be remembered that the use of pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of the common cold in any trimester is necessary only in extreme cases. Therapy should include safe folk remedies, massage, breathing exercises, and conservative methods such as rinsing the nasal passages with saline. If there is no way out, then it is best to use the listed remedies for nasal congestion during pregnancy:

• baby drops (Nazol Baby, Nazaval, Otrivin Baby);
• drops based on oil extracts from medicinal plants (Pinosol);
• products with sea water (Aqua Maris, Marimer, Dolphin);
• homeopathic drops (Euphorbium, Compositum);

Breathing exercises

The following exercises will help improve nasal breathing:

• slowly, inhale through the mouth, let the air out through the nose in parts;
• close the left nostril with your finger, inhale through the right, open the left nostril and exhale through it, then do the opposite;
• inhale slowly through the nose, exhale slowly through the mouth, but with closed lips;
• with your mouth closed, count aloud to 10, inhale deeply and exhale through your nose.

The following physical exercise will help to improve nasal breathing and alleviate the condition: put your feet shoulder-width apart, while inhaling, slowly raise your hands up, while palms should be directed down, while exhaling, gradually lower your hands. When performing the exercise, it is imperative to ensure that breathing is carried out only through the nose. To achieve the desired effect, the exercises are repeated 3-4 times.

Preparation for breathing exercises:

• rinse the nasal passages using saline solution;
• drip the olfactory organ with anti-inflammatory drops that relieve swelling of the mucous membrane;
• measure body temperature, if it is elevated, it is impossible to perform gymnastic exercises;
• ventilate and, if necessary, humidify the room (the temperature should not exceed 18 degrees).

The benefits of breathing exercises:

1. elimination of nasal obstruction;
2. reduction of puffiness;
3. improvement of blood circulation in the nose;
4. normalization of the outflow of mucus.

Acupressure

This method helps to alleviate the woman's condition and improves nasal breathing. It involves the impact of the fingertips on certain points, contributing to the stimulation of blood circulation in the area of ​​​​the organ of smell. Fine massage should be done every day 3 times a day. Instructions for manipulation:

• with a moderate load, point-press the places along the bridge of the nose from both sides;
• massage the wings of the olfactory organ;
• massage the part of the face under the nose.

Folk recipes

Severe nasal congestion during pregnancy will pass if you do inhalation. To do this, a woman must inhale vapors of boiled potatoes and herbal decoctions. To enhance the effect, a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil are added to the decoction. With a runny nose, warming up and fruit drops are no less effective. Apple or carrot juice completely replaces pharmaceutical preparations. To achieve the desired result, you need to bury your nose 3-4 times a day. Drying of the nasal mucosa will stop the asterisk. The tool also has an antibacterial effect.

Popular recipes for folk remedies for nasal congestion during childbearing:

• drops based on table salt and lemon juice, which relieve inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane of the olfactory organ (25 ml of lemon juice mixed with 40 ml of boiled water and ½ tsp of table salt, the resulting remedy is instilled 2 drops into each nasal passage 3 times a day for 5-7 days);
• a natural honey-based product that has an anti-inflammatory and nourishing effect(Mix 1 teaspoon of natural honey with 1 teaspoon of butter or vegetable oil, lubricate the mucous membrane of the nasal passages with the resulting composition 2-3 times a day until complete recovery);
• an agent based on aloe juice for cleansing and relieving inflammation (squeeze juice from several leaves of a flower, dilute it with 3 drops of boiled water, instill the contents of the nose 2-3 times a day until complete recovery).

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Probably, there is no such cell in the female body that would not react to the pregnancy that took place. All systems and organs adjust to the new status of the body: some begin to function differently, while others, for example, increase. Very often, pregnant women complain of "disturbances" in the work of the nose: their breathing is difficult, some are noted or even. In addition, many women notice a thickening of the nasal mucosa and even, in some cases, a change in its shape. Let's note the most common complaints of pregnant women and see what causes these or those phenomena.

Sinusitis

Hoc performs a variety of functions, of which the main ones are respiratory, protective, resonator and olfactory. Respiratory (or, as it is also called, respiratory) of them is the most important.

During pregnancy, the uninterrupted supply of oxygen is more important than ever, which is necessary not only for the mother, but also for the child. Because of this, during the "interesting position", the need for oxygen increases significantly. Congested nasal passages, of course, do not fully cope with this task. On the one hand, for many during pregnancy, stuffy nose is a common occurrence that disappears immediately after childbirth. On the other hand, you can help a pregnant woman. For example, try using a vaporizer or humidifier, which will greatly alleviate the condition. In most cases, the signs that pregnant women describe with the phrase “clogged nose” indicate incipient sinusitis. This happens as a result of swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose and nasal passages. At the same time, the secret does not flow out of the sinuses, but stagnates and becomes an excellent environment for the development and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. If, in addition to congestion, you feel the "fullness" of the sinuses, then follow these tips:

• Rinse your nasal passages several times a day with a sea salt solution. These can be purchased at any pharmacy, or you can cook yourself. To do this, take one teaspoon of sea salt (in extreme cases, table salt) and dilute it in 0.5 liters of water.
• Increase your fluid intake.
• Do
• Avoid staying in smoky rooms.
• Do acupressure: massage the wings of the nose, forehead, areas under the eyes and from the nose to the ears with your fingers.

But, keep in mind, you can take any measures only after a visit to the doctor, because only he can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a competent treatment. As a rule, inflammatory processes in the sinuses are treated with decongestants and antihistamines (if the cause of sinusitis is a household allergy) drugs. For example, an allergic reaction to dust or household chemicals may occur even if it has not been observed before.

Rhinitis (runny nose)

If a woman has appeared, then this is a signal that a virus is present in the body or an allergic reaction has occurred. Since, in the current state, the usual drugs for the treatment of the common cold are not available to the woman, it is necessary to know the following. First, again, go to the doctor. Secondly, drink plenty and take vitamin C (but don't overdo it: a large amount of this vitamin is dangerous).

How exactly to deal with this unpleasant phenomenon during pregnancy can be found in the material "Rhinitis in early pregnancy."

Should I take vasoconstrictor drugs?

Not worth it. They affect not only the vessels of the nose, but also the placenta, disrupting the placental circulation and proper nutrition of the fetus. In this case, it can develop (oxygen starvation) and a violation of the development of the fetus. Vasoconstrictor drops from the common cold can be used only in case of urgent need. Buy drops meant for children or newborns. Bury them before going to bed, because it is in a horizontal position that this problem becomes more noticeable. Try elevating the head of the bed at night or placing a second pillow under you to help alleviate the condition. Be aware that vasoconstrictors can make nosebleeds worse.

When there's nothing to worry about

If the cause of congestion or runny nose is a consequence of hormonal changes in the female body, then be calm: everything will stop after childbirth. Also, a completely understandable reaction of the body to pregnancy can be called bleeding from the nose. More often they occur in mid-pregnancy (although, in some women - in the early stages) under the influence of large amounts of estrogen and progesterone.

Don't let the "potato nose" worry you either. As a rule, all this passes when the baby is born. But, anyway, see a doctor: you may have severe swelling and you need medical attention.

Specially for- Olga Pavlova

During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes constant changes. Some of them do not cause any discomfort to the pregnant woman, but there are those that cause a lot of inconvenience to the expectant mother and can harm the health of the fetus. In this article, we want to tell you why very often women who are in an interesting position experience severe nasal congestion during pregnancy at different times.

What, in fact, is nasal congestion - it is inflammation or swelling of the mucous tissues of this organ, as a result of which the respiratory process becomes difficult, a runny nose and headache occur. In pregnant women, this happens at different times quite often due to various reasons:

• Due to a cold or infection in the body, nasal congestion occurs during early pregnancy. This is due to a decrease in immunity in expectant mothers who need to avoid visiting places where a large number of people accumulate, since it is under such conditions that a pregnant woman can get ARVI, and this is very dangerous for the fetus, in which internal organs and important systems begin to form.
• Due to allergies to seasonal products or natural phenomena. Most often, an allergic reaction in the form of nasal congestion occurs only in those women who had a tendency to allergies even before they became pregnant.
• Due to hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy. When a woman is preparing to become a mother, she is very actively producing estrogen, which affects the mucous membranes, including the nasal mucosa - the internal tissues of this respiratory organ swell. There is no way to treat this phenomenon, because there are no means for this. Yes, and such a cause of nasal congestion will not bring any negative consequences to either the expectant mother or the child. After childbirth, the problem will disappear by itself, and the woman will return to normal life, enjoying the happiness of motherhood.

It is very important, no matter what period of pregnancy a runny nose occurs, to find out in a timely manner what factor provoked the occurrence of this problem. To do this, you need to contact the antenatal clinic to your doctor so that the pregnant woman is sent for additional tests.

The danger of nasal congestion during pregnancy at different times

As we have already clarified, a runny nose in a pregnant woman does not pose a danger to the life and health of a child, with the exception of some cases:

• If the expectant mother does not know the cause of her nasal congestion, and the factor that provoked it is an infection. It will have a negative impact on the intrauterine development of the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy - it may have physical and mental abnormalities.
• If a woman has a runny nose in the third trimester of pregnancy, then she will have difficulty breathing due to nasal congestion. She will have to take breaths with her mouth, which are not so deep and voluminous, because the right amount of oxygen does not enter the blood of the expectant mother, respectively, the fetus also suffers from oxygen starvation. At best, this will end with a deviation in the development of the child, and at worst, with his death in utero.
• When a woman tries to clean her nose, bleeding may open, in a dream she begins to snore, her voice sits down. All these unpleasant consequences affect the nervous system of a pregnant woman and, accordingly, negatively affect the child.

Nasal congestion during pregnancy: how to treat

If a woman during pregnancy had to face such a problem as a runny nose, then she still needs to make some efforts to cure it as quickly and efficiently as possible. If there are two main methods of treating nasal congestion during pregnancy, we will tell you about each of them in detail.

Medications for nasal congestion during pregnancy

The first thing that any prudent woman will do during pregnancy, if she is tormented by a runny nose, is to contact her doctor so that he can prescribe drugs that are safe for the life of the child that will solve her problem. Fortunately, the modern pharmaceutical market has a wide range of such drugs. The main list for the treatment of rhinitis in pregnant women includes:

1. Means for washing the nasal sinuses:

• "Dolphin";
• "Aquamaris";
• "Humer".

1. Drops from nasal congestion during pregnancy. Here it should be borne in mind that they should have a minimum content of a substance such as xylometazoline. Although it is considered the most harmless for pregnant women, precautions should be taken when using it. The best nose drops to date for expectant mothers are:

• "Brizolin";
• "Doctor Theiss Nazolin";
• "Xylometazoline";
• "Suprastin";
• "Claritin";
• "Cetirizine";
• "Fexofenadine";
• Cromolyn sodium;
• "Pinosol".

Still, if a pregnant woman has a runny nose in the first trimester, then it is better not to use any medications, since some of them can lead to spontaneous abortion or fetal death. It is much safer to give preference to alternative methods of treatment for such a short period of time.

Folk remedies for nasal congestion during pregnancy

The most effective and also pleasant way to get rid of nasal congestion during pregnancy is to use some folk recipes that our grandmothers still used. We have collected the most effective of them in this article. You don’t need to use each of them at all - decide what will be most optimal and effective for you personally, and then apply. Just consult with your doctor first, perhaps you have an allergy or some kind of contraindication to some components of the recipes.

So, how to relieve nasal congestion during pregnancy in folk ways:

1. Every day, take one teaspoon of grated horseradish mixed with honey.
2. Eat fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C.
3. Every day before going to bed, do inhalations with your favorite essential oil or with the usual "Asterisk". The duration of inhalation should not exceed 10 minutes. Otherwise, the risk of burning mucous membranes increases.
4. Drink hot milk with honey or ginger tea with lemon - common drinks from childhood, with which we treated the flu, sore throats and other colds.
5. Do acupressure on the bridge of your nose. To do this, first find a point on the bridge of your nose and massage it with your index finger for 60 seconds in a circular motion. Then go to the points on the wings of the nose, in the area between the nose and lips and on the chin. This massage will take about 7 minutes, but will greatly alleviate the condition of nasal congestion.

Prevention of runny nose and nasal congestion during pregnancy

A pregnant woman can easily avoid a runny nose and nasal congestion if she follows a number of simple preventive measures:

• Don't get cold - dress warmly when you go out and don't drink cold drinks from the refrigerator.
• Drink hot herbal and rosehip teas as often as possible during pregnancy.
• Carry a handkerchief soaked in lavender oil in your pocket. When you find yourself in a society where someone sneezes, immediately sniff your handkerchief - the bacterium will not overcome you.

And, most importantly, always be in a good mood. A positive charge will help the expectant mother feel good and protect her from various ailments.

Video: "Rhinitis during pregnancy"