‘Pregnancy Nose’ Is Real—Here’s What That Is

There's a pregnancy symptom that may not be as talked about as others, but TikTokers are bringing attention to it: "pregnancy nose." They're not holding back either, and they're having a little fun with it because when you're pregnant and experiencing a ton of bodily changes and raging hormones, that's just what you have to do.

"Ya'll want to talk about pregnancy nose? It gets progressively worse," warned one mom who goes by @kalyn.hill on TikTok. You can tell from her before and after shots that her nose got larger as time went on.

Ditto for TikToker @mamba.basa, who divulges she thought she'd look "so cute" during pregnancy. But, alas, she captioned her before-and-after video, "Look at the size of my nose already."

Commenters weighed in, including one who asked, "I was thinking my nose looks bigger. This is an actual thing?"

As it turns out, it is. Here's what pregnancy nose is, why it happens, and when it may be concerning.

What Causes Pregnancy Nose?

Your nose is just fine regardless of how big or small it is and whether you are pregnant or not—truly. But, some people may be confused about this potential symptom, and knowledge is power.

"Although 'pregnancy nose' is not a medical term, many women's noses do appear to be bigger toward the end of pregnancy, and they may also experience more frequent nasal drainage than prior to pregnancy," says Jessica Madden, M.D., IBCLC, a board-certified neonatologist, pediatrician, lactation consultant, and the medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps.

As you might expect, those pesky hormones are to blame. "These nose changes are due to a hormonally-mediated increase in people's circulating blood volume during pregnancy," explains Dr. Madden. "Although most of the increased blood volume is intended to support a growing fetus and uterus, all parts of the body end up receiving increased blood flow during pregnancy."

That's not all: Pregnant people may also suffer from inflammation of the nasal cavities called rhinitis. The condition, which causes sneezing, congestion, and a runny nose, is pretty common. Research found pregnancy rhinitis affects 39% of pregnant people.

And the increase in blood flow during pregnancy can sometimes lead to bloody noses—which are usually harmless. Keep in mind, noses can also swell if you get IV fluids during labor.

When Pregnancy Nose Is Concerning

While a growing nose during pregnancy is often not a cause for concern, sometimes it can indicate a serious condition. "Preeclampsia, a pregnancy condition that causes edema (swelling) can also contribute to some noses appearing bigger," Dr. Madden says.

Preeclampsia, which usually occurs after 20 weeks, can cause high blood pressure, headaches, vision issues, and swelling in the hands and face, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can lead to premature delivery and low birth weight in the baby. Severe preeclampsia can also cause seizures and lead to stroke. 

Make sure to bring it up with your provider or medical professional if you're concerned or experiencing any of these symptoms. Going to prenatal appointments ensures you're keeping up with necessary testing, like blood pressure checks, that can flag preeclampsia.

Does Pregnancy Nose Go Away?

Though some TikTokers say their noses never looked the same (let's be honest, the same can be said for multiple things about bodies postpartum), Dr. Madden says the changes should be temporary.

"In most cases, pregnancy nose, resolves around six weeks after giving birth," Dr. Madden says. But the exact timing can vary from person to person. 

Some more good news: your baby will love you and your face no matter what changes you may experience.

And, hey, if it makes you feel any better, not even celebs are immune. Back in 2018, Chrissy Teigen tweeted about it. "My pregnancy nose is huge," Teigen posted when she was pregnant with her son, Miles. "This is fascinating."