Pregnancy and Allergies: What to Expect

Spring is just around the corner, or so we hope… and with the warmer temperatures and blooming trees and flowers, so come the dreaded seasonal allergy symptoms for so many of us.

Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, can cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy red eyes, sore throat, itchy throat and ears, difficulty sleeping and subsequent fatigue and headache. Most seasonal allergies are caused by tree, grass or weed pollens or mold and fungal spores, which grow when the weather is humid, wet, or damp.

Women who have true seasonal allergies before becoming pregnant may experience worsening, improvement, or no changes in their symptoms while carrying. To be clear, many women also notice nasal congestion during pregnancy directly related to hormone levels. This is an isolated symptom, unrelated to seasonal allergies, and typically resolves after delivery. Treatment is not usually needed although a humidifier or nasal saline may be helpful for comfort. It is not uncommon to get a cold when pregnant; however, in this case itchy eyes and throat are not typical.

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