Pregnant and Nasal Stuffiness

I'm enjoying being pregnant, but I can't wait for the congestion to go away! I use a saline wash that is made by NeilMed (at most drug stores) before going to bed. It doesn't always get me through the night, but I suppose I could rinse again when I wake up (I just haven't gotten that desperate). Hope this helps...

Try a little saline nasal spray - I wouldn't do Benadryl without talking to my doc first. I had it with both pregnancies and the spray helped, as did the humidifier in the room at night. As for drinking water...get used to it...it preps you for being up the next year:)

Use a neti pot and the humidifier.

I don't have too much of a solution, but I was there too!! Hang in there...

I had this issue all throughout all three of my pregnancies. I used a humidifier and nasal spray.

If some of the other things do not work, Claritin and Rhinocort are safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your OB for the best course of action.

Hi, when I had this problem I used the humidifier and a saline wash for my nose (some ppl. use a neti pot, but I used the NelMed Sinus Rinse). It might take a day or two to really be effective, but once you can actually inhale and rinse out, it helps. Some other things that help me are a bit of Vicks Vapor Rub and sitting upright while sleeping, also I would suck a Vitamin C drop at night just to keep down the dryness and possible coughing. Pollen might be exacerbating your stuffiness . The pollen count is bad when I live right now.

Best wishes for your growing family!

The nasao rinse works wonders for us. We have a lot of allergies and after the pedi suggested this, all 3 of us use it and swear by it now. We also use less allergy meds.

Don't drink as much close to bedtime and start your humidifier 1 hour before bed - make sure you close the door to your room. Keep it on all night and throughout the entire winter while you have the heat on. THis should work. I had the same problem and it worked for me. I usually don't need the humidifier until november but due to pregnancy we had to start it sooner this fall. Good luck!

Go see an ENT if you can. They can help you out with some safe alternatives.
C.

You can definately take Benadryl when you are pregnant. My Dr. even said if I'm having a hard time sleeping, I can take 2 before bed and it will help you sleep better too.

Updated

You can definately take Benadryl when you are pregnant. My Dr. even said if I'm having a hard time sleeping, I can take 2 before bed and it will help you sleep better too.

Breathe Right strips (large tan ones hold better than the clear ones).
Benadryl when needed.
Cold mist humidifier.
Pillows propped up.

I had the same symptom very bad with my older daughter and I feel your pain. Just keep in mind, this too will pass!

Congratulations on your pregnancy :)

That's pretty common. Of course it is allergy and flu season as well, so be careful that no other symptoms come up with it. Of course if you suspect you're sick, go to the doctor. Otherwise if it is just pregnancy related just ask your OB or midwife for relief options.

Breathe Rite strips saved me! Could not breathe without them. Also, might trying propping your mattress up a little so you're not laying flat. I second the netting pot too.

Hi L.,
Congrats on your second trimester!! This is a pregnancy symptom. I had it with both of my pregnancies. I used the Breath right strips (I used the generic, they work just as well). They did not clear me up completely, but they helped a lot. I also used a saline nasil spray (check with your doctor) about 3 to 4 times a day. I have bad allergies and was pregnant over the summer for both. These helped. Good luck.
I hope you feel better.
L.

i had it so bad. i used to take long hot steamy showers with some of the kids vapo bath stuff or some peppermint/eucalyptis oil in the bottom of the tub, just put some on a washcloth and leave it at your feet. also raising the head of my bed helped a lot with a lot of things, including the stuffiness, heartburn, tightness in my chest as i got bigger, etc.... neti pot is good too. good luck :)

try some saline spray. that may help moisturize. stand in hot shower and make sure its nice and steamy. call doctors office and see if you can take any medicine. normally you can take plain sudafed. may be by third trimester you will feel better. i had the same issue around the same time frame as you. i felt better bye end of second trimester and in the third had some allergy issues. keep doing the cool mist humidifier. make sure not to have a fan blowing on you directly in your face that will dry your mouth and nose out too. try some vaporub on the insides of your nostrils. good luck. It will get better.

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I had that same problem and Breathe Right Nasal Strips became a must at bedtime. They definitely helped me get through!

Have you tried breathe rite strips? I wore them at night through both of my pregnancies and they're awesome!