You’ve likely heard of people’s feet or breasts swelling during pregnancy, but did you know that the nose can be affected as well?
Thanks to a recent social media trend, people are coming together and calling attention to “pregnancy nose,” or the phenomenon of one’s nose swelling while pregnant.
People Sound The Alarm Online With Receipts
Social media users began widely buzzing about the subject around the end of 2022, though people like Chrissy Teigen spoke up about “gain[ing] weight in [her] nose” on Twitter way back in 2018.
With the conversation’s recent incarnation, people specifically utilized TikTok to share their experiences with their nose swelling during pregnancy. They were even sure to bring photos to highlight just now much a person’s nose can change while expecting.
@michelle_erima Pregnancy did me dirty😭😭 I don’t even know who that is!!!😂 so glad I’m getting myself back and fast🥰 #pregnancyjourney #postpartum #michelleerima
♬ RMX CHORAL CDM MONEY SONGS BEAT X ELTON BOY BEATZ – vibe for the whole Planet💥🎧
@sweetiekypie I mean it when I say every part of my body swelled up 10x it’s normal size #twinpregnancy #pregnancyswelling #ReasonForBooking #CODSquadUp #fyp #foryoupage #momtok
@kellieamartinez #stitch with @heyosato #greenscreen #pregnancy #beforeandafter #pregnancynose #whoisthat #lol #swollennose #pregnantnose #pregnantnoseisreal #bignose #beforeandafternose #lmao #whoisshe #help it looks more normal now but like 😶
@destiiniique My nose is definitely bigger . I try to stay positive but like watching your face change is so depressing .. #pregnancy #foryoupage #viral
@mandaaa.aaaa Ima just leave this right here.. #pregnancy #noseswelling
Reactions To Women’s ‘Pregnancy Nose’ Stories: ‘My Bloodline Fasho Stopping With Me’
As women’s stories began to circulate on social media, people who haven’t had children shared their shocked reactions. In fact, some spoke of how afraid they were of having their nose swell up, and others declared “pregnancy nose” to be a “form of birth control.”
Check out how some people handled the news down below.
pregnancy nose alone would send me to the nearest clinic. get somebody else to do it
— 𝔇𝔦𝔬𝔫 ♛ (@dionnae_) December 29, 2022
https://twitter.com/fashionkiIIaaa/status/1608241834509373440?s=20&t=KbHUSUbPvSS2zW5zDxz9Og
Pregnancy nose is so scary omg
— yanna ☆ (@gl0bymyself) January 1, 2023
https://twitter.com/_Laurynimani/status/1608990907059310592?s=20&t=KbHUSUbPvSS2zW5zDxz9Og
One form of birth control for me is pregnancy nose. I know it doesn’t happen to everyone but my nose is already so huge, that’s not something I’m ready to gamble just yet✋🏽
— MamaMaks (@MakamaeShook) December 30, 2022
Pregnancy literally fucks women up in every way, your feet grow, nipples get darker, YOUR NOSE GETS SWOLLEN, we can’t have shit fr 😭
— 🎀Lord Voldemort🎀 (@JvckieTexas) December 28, 2022
So, What Causes Some Pregnant Women’s Nose To Swell?
According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, pregnancy rhinitis affects approximately 20% of expectant women. On top of feeling congested, tissue can swell and cause the nose to look wider, AND
“During pregnancy, the body makes more blood and fluids, which can cause swelling, even in unexpected places such as the nasal passages. Blood vessels in the nose can swell with this additional volume, causing stuffiness.”
Other factors can include higher estrogen levels, as well as the production of human growth hormone (HGH).
Additionally, Dr. Shannon M. Clark of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston told NBC News that—while nasal inflammation is harmless and common—people should alert their medical provider if widespread swelling is accompanied by blurred vision or headaches, as “those are all signs of preeclampsia.”
“Preeclampsia in pregnancy is a complicated condition and needs to be monitored and diagnosed properly.”
What are your thoughts on the overall conversation, and do you have any firsthand experience with “pregnancy nose?”
