Pregnancy rhinitis- please help I can't take it anymore

[bunny85]

I'm 36 weeks and suddenly my nose started going completely bunged up at night- I'm definitely not sick as have no other symptoms and it's at night only. It's absolutely unbearable as I can't fall asleep and when I eventually do I wake up multiple times at night with dry mouth, end up drinking lots and then obvs trips to toilet up to 15 times a night (I'm not joking). I wake up every 30-40 mins because of this nose. On top of that I have other heath issues which used to keep me up at night but dear God nothing compares to this. Any advice please? I also have a 4 year old to look after and I desperately need some rest... But most important question of all- will it get better after birth?
Thank you!

With the caveat that the following isn’t approved for use in pregnancy and that you will have to make a judgement that you are comfortable with: when I experienced similar I took the decision to make sparing use of a low-dose nasal decongestant spray like Otrivine. It made a big difference before the issue resolved itself after the birth.

Alternatively you might get some relief from a neti pot or a saline spray. Good luck!

My GP prescribed me a steroid nasal spray for this.. it’s the same one I get for heyfever so now I just buy it in Boots rather than waste my doctors time. It’s called Beconase Nasal Spray. Works a treat!

Other things that help me are saline nasal sprays & a cool mist humidifier that I happened to have for my daughters constant colds!

And yes, I’ve had this in both pregnancies and it almost instantly went away after DD was born! Hormones are weird..

I did the same as @EstebanTheMagnificent . It did disappear a couple of hours after giving birth and hasn't returned, thankfully! But it was miserable.

I was going to suggest neti pot - I used it while pregnant as I frequently have colds in winter.

I've had horrid congestion for a week and a half now (not pg!) and probably going to use it tomorrow when I have the time as it sometimes helps with blockages that are just not going away on their own.

I had this although not as bad at night, you have my sympathies. Made me throw up during meals as the congestion set off my gag reflex when eating. Didn't find anything other than blowing my nose a lot helped although I realise that's no good for you at night. It did go when the baby was born although I am now more phlegmy than I ever was before and brushing teeth is uncomfortable. The joys they never tell you about pregnancy...

Thank you all. Some very good suggestions here, especially neti pot which I've never heard of before. Will look it up! Thanks again x

I put some vaseline in my nostrils before bed and it helps a little bit

Get a humidifier!

It's a complete gamechanger. I had a really stuffy nose right at the start of this pregnancy and couldn't breathe properly lying down for weeks. You can buy them on Amazon/Argos and some you can add essential oils in (I add Lavendar oil to mine but you need to check the instructions) - completely solved the issue for me.

@Raven83 yes! I got a humidifier this winter and it is a blessing. It's amazing how effective they are.
As well as that, sea salt nasal sprays are approved for pregnancy 👍

I used to have a humidifier and then I sold it Silly me! It wasn't being used much... maybe should get another one...
Did this stop after birth for you though?

It's definitely worth getting another one and they don't have to cost much. I would get one that will last through the night too (mine run out once and then I couldn't breathe again)
I'll let you know in May sometime if it goes away!

Raven83 please do! I'll update as well in a few weeks