Hello everyone
Just would like to hear anyone else going through this. This is my fourth pregnancy currently at 18 weeks, I have an 8 years old daughter and then had 2 recurrent early miscarriages back in 2022. So far the 12 weeks scan was fine waiting for 20 weeks scan coming up soon.
Since I found out I was pregnant end of Jan 2025 my left ear would randomly be blocked very uncomfortable my voice when I was talking sounded like a microphone or going through a tunnel this would last for 2-3 hours and then unblock itself and I would be fine with no lingering symptoms. However, this happened again the same ear in February, March, April ( during half-term). Then last Tuesday my mum put in a few ear drops my voice returned to normal as I could hear from my left ear. However, when I woke up on Wednesday and till now continuously there is pressure on my ears especially left like I have fluid trapped in there. When I apply slight pressure e.g. burp, yawn or swallow there is a crackling sound like rice krispies very uncomfortable, don't know if using the ear drops on Tuesday has made this worse. My hearing is fine and when I talk my voice sounds normal to me. However, the crackling has not stopped. The gp checked both my ears with otoscope and said there is no swelling, no discharge and no wax build up, eardrum looks fine. She has referred me to an ENT clinic my first appointment is at the end of this month. She said it could be some fluid behind the eardrum middle ear (but since I have been pregnant I have not had any viral infections or congestion) or it seems that there is a pressure imbalance in the Eustachian tube (ETD).
I did get a second option and asked the local pharmacy who do an ear checking service. He quickly had a look at both my ears and said there is no wax build up they are clean.
So I have read across some threads that this is common during pregnancy, but I never had this with my first pregnancy where I had severe morning sickness. This pregnancy I had no morning sickness and have been quite well until this ear business started. Prior being pregnant I have never had any problems with my ears even when I have been ill with sinusitis, viruses, vomiting bugs in the past my ears have never crackled and never blocked previously. Don't know if this is a pregnancy thing or by coincidence my Eustachian tube is playing up now whilst i am pregnant. The gp said ideally not to put anything in the ear as the canal looks fine. I have done steam inhalation with Vicks but this has made no difference. My nasal passages and throat seems clear to me.
Due to being the weekend the ear crackling was getting to me and I do suffer with anxiety so I am thinking this is how my ears are going to be for the rest of my life due to being so aware of the sensation and pressure I started to get dizzy spells like I am on a boat and i am swaying backwards, but I know this is stress and anxiety regarding my ears as when I am distracted like at work or with family the dizzy spells ease off.
Sorry for the long post just wanted to let it all out.
I was told by the pharmacist that if the crackling becomes constant like when sleeping or when just sitting, shooting pain in my ear that I am unable to eat or sleep then I should go to A&E and let them know what is happening and that I am pregnant.
But feel so upset as it is making me feel so weird like I am on an aeroplane all the time. Anyone had this whilst pregnant? Did it go away? What did ENT clinic suggest?