According to the CDC, there were 3,596,017 births in 2023. If you’re getting ready to have a baby, there are probably 1,000 things on your to-do list, from assembling a crib to registering for shower gifts. The one thing you don’t want when you’re pregnant is extra stress.
Many women wonder how their allergies might affect their pregnancy and vice versa. Here’s what to know about navigating allergies during pregnancy and how to manage them safely to help keep stress levels down.
Allergy Symptom Severity During Pregnancy
Your allergy symptoms may worsen, stay the same or improve during pregnancy. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know which camp you’ll fall into beforehand. It’s also possible to develop new allergies while pregnant.
Your symptom severity may change while pregnant, but they will still fall under the same banner of allergy symptoms as non-pregnant people. Symptoms may include:
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Hives
Can I Take Allergy Medicine During Pregnancy?
You should talk to your allergist about any allergy medication you plan on taking during pregnancy. Some oral antihistamines are safe to take during pregnancy, and your provider may give you the go-ahead for nasal steroid sprays for moderate to severe symptoms.
Before taking medication, your allergist may recommend a few strategies to minimize your symptoms naturally.
Managing Your Allergies Naturally
A few ways you can try managing your allergy symptoms naturally include:
- Avoidance. The avoidance strategy involves limiting your exposure to the allergens you’re sensitive to. In practice, that could look like avoiding Spencer Creek Park on high-pollen days, cleaning your home regularly to minimize dust or fitting allergy screens on your windows.
- Nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation flushes your sinuses with a saline solution to minimize congestion. You can perform it at home with a Neti Pot or irrigation tube (both found at most drugstores).
- Warm compress. A warm compress helps ease congestion and sinus headaches. You can make one at home by heating a damp rag in the microwave for fifteen-second intervals.
If you’re pregnant or planning to be, contact Midwest ENT Centre today with any questions regarding allergy management.