Severe Congestion During Pregnancy -

Your body produces up to 40% more blood during pregnancy. This extra fluid causes the tiny blood vessels in your nasal passages to dilate and swell, making it harder to breathe.

Severe congestion can lead to snoring and sleep apnea, which are linked to maternal fatigue and potential gestational complications. severe congestion during pregnancy

| Feature | Pregnancy Rhinitis | Cold / Allergy | |--------|-------------------|----------------| | Onset | Gradual, persistent | Sudden or seasonal | | Duration | Weeks to months | 7–10 days (cold) or allergen-exposure (allergy) | | Fever | No | Possible (cold) | | Itchy eyes/sneezing | Less common | Common (allergy) | | Other symptoms | None (just congestion) | Sore throat, cough, body aches (cold) | Your body produces up to 40% more blood during pregnancy

Management focuses on non-pharmacological "first-line" treatments before moving to medication. | Feature | Pregnancy Rhinitis | Cold /

Auris Nasus Larynx evaluates various treatment options, including the safety of corticosteroids and antihistamines. Systematic Review on Congestion (2019): A review titled "Non‐surgical interventions for nasal congestion during pregnancy" explores seven categories of interventions, from saline irrigation to behavioral changes. Rhinology Journal Technical Paper (2012): The research paper "Pregnancy-induced rhinitis" offers a detailed look at pathophysiology and defining the condition separately from allergic rhinitis. PubMed Central (PMC) (.gov) +6 Key Findings from Research 11 sites Pregnancy Rhinitis: Pathophysiological Mechanisms ... - MDPI 23 Jul 2025 —