If you are currently lying on the couch, mouth wide open, wondering why your nose feels like it’s stuffed with concrete, you are not alone. You haven’t caught a super-cold. You are experiencing .
You prepared for the morning sickness. You knew your back might ache. You even stocked up on pickles and ice cream.
Here is why it happens, when it stops, and—most importantly—how to actually sleep tonight. There are two culprits here, and neither is a virus.
But nobody told you that you’d spend nine months breathing through your mouth like a goldfish.
You are currently flooded with estrogen and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). These hormones increase blood flow to your body’s mucous membranes. Yes, all of them. That increased blood flow causes the lining of your nose to swell, closing off your airways just like an allergic reaction.
You aren’t broken. You’re just pregnant. And you will breathe freely again soon. Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or medication during pregnancy.