I'm 11 weeks pregnant. Last week extreme nasal congestion and allergy symptoms kicked in. The same thing happened the last time I was pregnant, and it lasted for a good two months. My doctor says it's a reaction to the hormones in my system.
It's annoying but tolerable during the day, but at night my nose is just completely plugged up so I can't breathe through it at all. None of the obvious solutions help (sleeping propped up, saline squirts in nose). I'm reluctant to take Sudafed (even though it's on the "approved" list from my doctor) because it's listed as an FDA Class C drug for pregnancy. Am I being silly for worrying about that?
Has anyone else experienced this pregnancy congestion, and what might help me sleep? Thank you for your ideas!
I'm going to try the nasal strips to avoid taking medication. Thanks for the ideas!
I also have this. I do the saline rinse system (not fun to do but it helps) you can buy at walgreens for like $15.
And I sleep with breath right strips when it is bad at night!
Good luck-
While I was in the hospital on bedrest and very stuffy, they gave me Afrin. Now, it's to be used sparingly since it can cause that rebound congestion where you are more stuffed in 12 hrs when it wears off, but my trick was that I would only put it in one side of my nose. That way I could sleep but that the next day wasn't too bad because if my nose 'rebounded' it was only on the one side. I would double check with your dr to make sure it's still ok, I was prego 5 yrs ago and maybe something has changed, but man that stuff really worked!!! Hang in there!
I also used Breathe Right strips. I actually used the cheap version sold at Walmart...they're cheaper and you get more in the box. I used them practically every night while pregnant, so I needed alot. The adhesive starts to let go by morning, but at that point, it didn't affect my breathing or sleep at all.
i used the neti pot and the nasal strips at night. what are those called? you know the ones snorers use?
i didn't take anything but a tiny amount of tylenol while pregnant. just didn't seem worth the risk. plus, the miserable-ness in the first trimester is good practice at being miserable your last few weeks of pregnancy ;)
I snort salt/water and blow my nose works better than saline squirts to me. I also use a humidifier.
I personally did not have congestion with either of my pregnancy but my cousin has. She is pregnant with her 3rd and this winter was horrible for her with congestion anyways she tried a neti pot and it worked wonders for her. You could either find them online or a health food store and I believe that she said you mix salt and water together for the pot. She said that she got the salt at the health food store also and it was cheap. She said it takes awhile to get the hang of using it but once you do it is awesome. Good luck and I hope the congestion goes away fast.
I had terrible congestion as well during pregnancy. My Dr recommended a persciption of nasal spray over Afrin. It was a super common one popular currently, although I can't remember the name - nasonex I think. At the first appointment he offered it, I resisted. The next appointment I took it and it helped. I did use saline as well.
What a nice little problem to have, I know--I had it,too. The Dr. said it was all the increased blood flow to all your mucous membranes to enrich the baby. ANYWAY, I had 100% relief with breathe-rite nasal strips. They're awesome. They're like a little butterlfy band aid you put over your nose that spreads your nose open from the outside, and TA DAH you can sleep. It worked great for all 3 of my pregnancies. Have a wonderful pregnancy.
