Understanding Pregnancy Nose: Changes, Symptoms, And Insights

Pregnancy brings about myriad physical changes—some well-known such as morning sickness and others quite surprising. One such uncommon symptom is colloquially referred to as pregnancy nose. It involves a noticeable widening of a pregnant woman's nose, a change that can be startling and often unexpected.

This condition is typically due to the increase in blood flow and hormonal changes, says Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an American Board of Internal Medicine quadruple board-certified physician and medical reviewer for the National Council on Aging.

Pregnancy nose can start at any point during pregnancy, but it is most commonly noticed in the second or third trimester—timing can vary for each individual. During pregnancy, your body produces higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can cause the blood vessels to expand and increase blood flow in the mucous membranes, including nasal tissue and passages.

While pregnancy nose isn’t as common as food cravings or a heightened sense of smell, it’s not entirely rare. The conversation around it is gradually increasing on social media. The topic #pregnancynose has exceeded 177 million posts on TikTok alone, with many users sharing their before-and-after photos, bringing more awareness to the symptom.

Many women report changes in their facial features during pregnancy. According to a study published in the journal Clinical Otolaryngology, hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to nasal congestion and increased nasal width. While nasal changes are often temporary, they can be significant enough to cause discomfort or self-consciousness for some women.

Vicky Martin, 28, a first-time mom, noticed a change in the size of her nose around 12 weeks, especially upon waking up. She shared that it wasn’t until friends and family commented on her nose that she started comparing her appearance using pre-pregnancy photos. “At first, I was quite concerned as I have been around a lot of pregnant family members and friends who had never seen this symptom before,” she explained.

Significant swelling can also be a sign of preeclampsia—a serious complication characterized by high blood pressure and widespread swelling. However, Martin confirmed that she wasn’t diagnosed with the condition. After doing some research, she felt reassured when she discovered that pregnancy nose was indeed a symptom of pregnancy—something that her midwife also confirmed.

My midwife couldn’t really give any reasons for pregnancy nose, other than experiencing an increased blood flow in your body from a growing baby, and mainly just fluid retention that creates a puffy and swollen look. So why do only some people get pregnancy nose? Some people are more sensitive to hormonal changes and increased blood flow, according to Dr. Dasgupta, who also noted that genetics play a role.

Now that pregnancy nose is becoming more widely discussed, it doesn’t bother Martin as much. “Although it’s a notable change in my appearance, I’m learning to embrace my pregnancy nose,” she told Newsweek. “All the symptoms—no matter how bad they seem at the time—will be completely worth it in the long run. I know that it’s a temporary symptom and I’ve been told that my nose should return to normal—I may just need to be patient.”

While there’s no surefire way to prevent pregnancy nose, Dr. Dasgupta suggests that staying hydrated, managing your salt intake, and sleeping with your head elevated could help reduce any facial swelling. The good news for moms-to-be is that pregnancy nose is usually temporary. Most women find that their nose returns to its pre-pregnancy size after childbirth, as hormone levels stabilize, and the body sheds the extra fluid retained during pregnancy.

This can take a few weeks to a few months as your hormones and blood flow normalize. If you have a family dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.