Expecting and sniffling? Yours is not a case of exaggerated colds. Pregnancy comes with a lot of changes, and one of those changes impact your sinuses. The average non-pregnant individual could get a cold at least twice in four months. Contrary to popular belief, colds are not entirely brought about by microbes and viruses – they could also be caused by extreme weather changes and even allergens and pollutants. In the case of pregnant women, however, the body seems to be extra susceptible to the causes of sinusitis and colds. Stuffy noses have become such a common complaint of pregnant women, that it has actually been given a label of its own. Rhinitis of pregnancy is a condition that affects 75% of pregnant women, and is characterized by frequent bouts of colds and sinusitis throughout the nine-month gestation period. Learn about this uncomfortable condition and how you can combat it, so you can enjoy your pregnancy to the fullest.

First, let’s discover the culprit behind these sniffles.

Many women worry that pregnancy has left their immune systems extremely low. This is not necessarily the cause of rhinitis of pregnancy. The culprits behind the frequent sinus problems in pregnancy are actually the same hormones that sustain the pregnancy.

During pregnancy, the body experiences a surge of hormones that cause several of pregnancy-definitive changes such as morning sickness, breast soreness, mood swings and weight gain. These two hormones, progesterone and estrogen work collaboratively to induce changes in the body to make it more “baby-friendly”. What estrogen specifically does is it allows for more blood supply to mucous membranes, which are what make up the interior of one’s nasal cavity and throat. Think of mucous membranes are cotton pillows: If you fill them with water, they swell and become heavy, and eventually leak some fluid. When the mucous membranes are filled with more blood, they swell and release more mucus. It’s this swelling and increased mucus that causes the stuffiness and runny nose.

Sometimes, this stuffiness isn’t the only discomfort a pregnant woman fills. She may also experience pain around the eyes, cheeks and the temples of her head. These are classic symptoms of sinus congestion. Sinuses are spaces, or air pockets, on certain facial areas, that allow for proper drainage of fluids around the head. Progesterone also causes the blood vessels around these sinuses to swell, so they end up blocking any drainage of mucus. Stagnant mucus causes pressure in the area, and eventually become breeding ground for bacteria. The infection that results from stagnation of fluids due to sinus blockage is called sinusitis.

Here’s what you can do to ease the discomfort of rhinitis of pregnancy:

First, it is very crucial that you refrain from visiting your home medication cabinet too often for those over-the-counter cold medications. Remember that although they may offer you temporary relief, they may be detrimental to your developing baby.

Visit your doctor for a work-up. He or she may need to assess whether you have any allergies, or are actually experiencing a virus-caused cold. If your symptoms are accompanied by fever, headache and chills, you may have caught the flu. If the doctor confirms that you are just going through rhinitis of pregnancy, he or she will most likely give you some safe medications to bring down the swelling a little bit, or will advise that you try non-medicinal comfort measures, since rhinitis of pregnancy is pretty much a staple side effect of pregnancy, and there isn’t much to be done.

Some women find it comforting to sleep with an extra pillow to keep the head elevated. It’s also important to sleep on your left side to allow to more blood flow to your baby. Keep your mucus membranes hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of fluids a day, 6 of which must be water. Try saline-based nasal drops, which facilitate the movement of mucus to clear passages. You may also find steaming relaxing. Finally, avoid extreme odors, especially dust and cigarette smoke which could elicit an allergic reaction. Your home must never be too warm or too cold as extreme temperatures may trigger a sinus reaction.

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