Why Does Pregnancy Nose Happen?

Many soon-to-be mommies are asking why they experience the pregnancy nose and why does it happen?

The hashtag "pregnancy nose" is going viral because of a new TikTok trend. Women are sharing their before and after pregnancy photos of their faces, and the public has observed that most of them had larger or wider noses during pregnancy.

Does pregnancy cause the nose to grow? For some women, the answer is a big yes, no pun intended.

"The underlying reason is because of the hormones that are increased in pregnancy, and those hormones cause dilation in vessels, which can result in more blood flow going to certain areas - and that's because we need it for the uterus. It's not necessarily selective. So, some areas of our body that have mucous membranes do experience increased flow and your nose is one of them," explained Dr. Christine Greves, an OB-GYN in Orlando, Florida.

Harmless and temporary

While most women do not like how they look with their pregnancy nose appearing plumper and of a different shape, the doctor says that it is "harmless," and the changes are "temporary." What a relief, right?

Dr. Greves said that mothers must wait six weeks after giving birth, and their noses will return to normal. Thus, she encourages mothers to extend grace to themselves, Today reported.

However, it can come with other symptoms, with hyperemia of the nasal mucosa membranes and sinuses being the most common. This is caused by blood vessel dilation, which is related to hormonal changes during pregnancy.

Dr. Eran Bornstein, the vice chair of OB-GYN at Lenox Hill Hospital, also stated that it might cause swelling, nosebleeds, congestion, and significant discomfort in some cases.

Read Also: How Pregnancy Changes Your Skin and When to See a Doctor

Other physical changes during pregnancy

Aside from the pregnancy nose, pregnant women will also notice physical changes like swelling in their legs.

Another would be the linea alba, the white line that runs down the middle of the abdomen, becoming darker, named the linea nigra.

Women's pigmentation also changes, an answer Dr. Greves gives to so many pregnant mothers asking.

Dr. Bornstein also shared that they may notice unexpected differences in their skin, including hyperpigmentation, where there will be darker skin in various areas of the body, including the face. There will also be stretch marks in the skin and the growth of skin tags, those soft, skin-colored growths on the skin, which vary in color and size and are usually found on the neck, armpits, around the groin, or under the breasts, as described by NHS. 

Other swelling in pregnancy is expected. However, doctors encourage pregnant women to urgently have a check-up if they experience quick swelling or are more bloated than an average pregnant woman, as this can be related to preeclampsia.

Further, Dr. Greves reminds pregnant women to update their healthcare providers about changes in their pregnancy and any symptoms they feel.

Related Article: Pregnancy Facts: Post Delivery Changes Women Should Expect