"Pregnancy Rhinitis," anyone?

ewenner

I have been congested for almost two months now (I am almost 15 weeks along).  At first I though maybe I was coming down with a cold, but that this point, I don't think that's what's going on.  The congestion just seems to be hanging around not getting better.  This week, it seems to be a little worse.  It's not unbearable, but just really annoying, especially when I'm trying to get to sleep.  I found some info online that apparently this "pregnancy rhinitis" is not too unusual, and typically lasts until you give birth, often getting worse as the months go by.  Lovely.  Has anyone else experienced chronic congestion during pregnancy?  Is there anything that's safe to take to relieve it, particularly at bedtime, so I can breath better and get to sleep more easily?  I plan to ask my  doctor at my next appointment, but I'm hoping to also get some opinions from people who have gone through it.  Thank you!

NeonNoon

I haven't had congestion as much but my nose gets drippy pretty easily.  It started around early 2nd trimester I think.  And there's some blood too, though I never get full-on nosebleeds.  We use a humidifier in the bedroom when the air is dry.  That helps.  I haven't tried anything else.

topaz7777

I do.  I take unisom at night and that seems to help.

mdogan29

Yep, I think I have this too! Every morning when I first get up, I either sneeze like 10x in a row and have to blow my nose for a good 10-20 mins to finally stop, or I'm so stuffed up I have to do the blowing. Then all day my nose runs or I sneeze some more. My nose feels swollen and sensitive pretty much all day and when I wear glasses (vs. my contacts) I feel slight sinus headaches. I've also had the bloody mucus when I blow, but no nosebleeds either, thank goodness! I've also have crunchy coughs when I first get up that I have to clear out and I have a little bit of wheezing but it's not a cold. I'm definitely going to ask my OB about it next appt! I usually feel better after I take a shower, getting all cleared out and breathing in the steam.

Definitely try a humidifier!! It helps too. We got one this year from Brookstone b/c our last one made us sick, even after cleaning & changing the filter, it smelled moldy!

niknak1208

My mom had this really bad when she was pregnant with my brother. Of course this was years and years ago.. my brother is 34. But she used nasal sprays at the time and then became addicted to the nasal sprays because she wanted to breathe and the nasal sprays were inflaming her nasal cavity making it even worse.  I might try saline solution.. like the saline spray that you would use on an infant. Or maybe Vics vapor rub in a humidifier? I have a humidifier for my kids that the vics pads sit right inside a little pocket and that seems to help them when they are congested.  Super frustrating. I hope it gets better for you.  

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ewenner

Thank you, ladies!  We have a humidifier in the bedroom, but I've never felt that it really does a darn thing.  Maybe we should buy a better one.  Now excuse me while I go sit in a steaming hot shower until my fingers prune up so that I can try to breath.  

marijaa333

My mother has chronic rhinitis - it's no fun.  Based on what works for her, I second the suggestion for inhaling some saline steam (with a neti pot or the old fashioned towel-over-pot method), eating some garlic, and propping your head up with extra pillows while you sleep.  Hope you get some relief!!

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charlie+7

I feel for you. I have it but it's been no worse than my seasonal hayfever. I have had headaches and earache though which I'm linking to stuffed sinuses, I kept massaging my face. I hope it eases off or you find some relief.

Mrs.McIrish

I had it in the 3rd tri.. Every night my nose was stuffy and I couldn't breathe thru it. I never found a fix but would take Benadryl to knock myself out.. It's totally gone now that my babies are here.

Phiae01

I have it bad too.  Started in 2nd trimester.  I was using nasal spray and lots of saline.  But then that wasn't a very good solution because you aren't supposed to take nasal spray long term.  So my regular GP put me on a flownase type spray that is meant for more long term usage.  It has saved my life and allowed me to sleep.

Bigboneded

Comes and goes... mostly on now at night, one side or the other stuffs up when I sleep, clears when I get up :-)

mantle

I had it with my first two and now with this one. Mine only gets a bit worse as time goes on and it does stay until the baby comes. I found that propping up my top half with pillows when I sleep (I may get a wedge pillow this time around) and using an essential oil diffuser in my bedroom with oils for respiration like peppermint, rosemary or eucalyptus usually does it for me. 

crazyjanemd

I had it very bad the first trimester, but then it went away. I would also try saline nasal spray (very safe) and also used those breathe right strips.