Can a Sneeze Cause a Miscarriage or Hurt The Baby?

During my first pregnancy, everything was going well until I bought a new cat. Since then, I would sneeze endlessly thanks to a serious fur allergy.

While I felt bad about the decision to sell the cat, what worried me most was whether the sneezing impacted my unborn munchkin. Have you also experienced frequent sneezing since you got pregnant? Are you wondering, “Can a sneeze cause a miscarriage?”

Based on my experience, I have researched all about sneezing during pregnancy and practical ways of alleviating it.

Can A Sneeze Cause A Miscarriage at All?

No. Sneezing and coughing cannot cause a miscarriage. Though they bring discomfort and occasionally abdominal pain, both actions do not harm your baby.

The body offers tight protection through protective membranes and the amniotic fluid. However, sneezing could affect the fetus only when it’s a symptom of an underlying medical condition such as flu.

Pregnancy interferes with your immunity making you catch common illnesses and allergies easier. During this time, your body is sensitive as a cautionary measure to protect the baby.

This explains why you may notice more sneezing than usual. The good news is that implantation takes place firmly, and not even the hardest sneeze could dislodge it.

Medically known as pregnancy rhinitis, the condition may give you a serious sneeze as it causes inflammation in your nose. It is further characterized by stuffiness and a runny nose. Although doctors link it to hormonal changes, research on the main causative factor remains ongoing.

It is okay to feel pelvic and abdominal pain after sneezing. Your muscles are stretchy, and any pressure on them could bring discomfort. Sneezing happens occasionally. What should worry you is frequent sneezes. Talk to your doctor about it before thinking about taking any medication.

What Causes Excess Sneezing During Pregnancy?

Before getting to the question, “can sneezing too hard cause a miscarriage” let’s first understand what causes sneezing in pregnant women. With massive hormonal changes, your body reacts to any slight trigger.

The following are some potential causes of sneezing. They include:

1.Pregnancy rhinitis – If you get a runny, drippy nose and stuffiness aside from excessive sneezing, you could be suffering from pregnancy rhinitis. The symptoms last six or more weeks, commonly in the first and third trimesters.

While pregnancy rhinitis can start at any pregnancy stage, it often heals naturally within two weeks post-delivery. Seek medical advice if you suspect this condition.

2. Allergies – With a highly-sensitive body, you’re likely allergic to pollen, hay, pets, dust mites, or even your regular perfume. Such allergic reactions could cause sneezing and coughing. Nevertheless, allergies don’t adversely affect pregnancy, such as low birth weight, miscarriages, or preterm births.

3. Cold or flu – Frequent sneezing is one of the main symptoms of cold and flu. These conditions are very common during pregnancy due to low immunity.

The body reacts to invaders, including cold-causing viruses, making you vulnerable to catching the illness easily from other people. Fortunately, cold can’t harm your munchkin.

Conversely, flu can cause hospitalization or, worse, death to the mother and congenital disabilities in babies. A recent CDC study confirms the association between flu and the risk of pregnancy loss and reduced birth weight. Doctors recommend taking flu vaccination at any pregnancy stage to prevent flu.

If you’re sneezing alarmingly, it may be due to one or several factors. Before taking any medication, seek professional advice from a general physician. While the condition is treatable, most women return to normal soon after delivery.

Are There Risks Of Sneezing A Lot During Pregnancy?

Luckily, it feels good to know your baby is safely tucked in the womb – no matter what happens. The amniotic sac contains a special fluid cushioning your baby from harm.

But, if the sneezing points to an underlying medical condition like the flu, it poses a serious risk to you and your growing baby. Flu causes maternal breathing problems, inhibiting adequate oxygen supply to the fetus.

Sneezing or coughing can cause pain around your belly and pelvic area. Medically described as round ligament pain, the phenomenon results from pressure exerted on already-stretched ligaments during sneezing.

By now, we have answers to the questions, “can sneezing cause miscarriage early pregnancy?” And “can heavy sneezing cause miscarriage?” You know the risks and dangers to expect when experiencing a sneezing problem.

Nevertheless, remember to keep your cool. Stay calm and avoid panic or overthinking. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to deal with stress and anxiety during pregnancy.

Practical Ways To Manage Sneezing During Pregnancy

Sneezing is treatable using prescription and over-the-counter medication. However, the mother and baby are interconnected. Anything you consume could find a way to your baby, including medicine. Call your doctor to know the safest option for you.

On the bright side, you can try effective home remedies to curb sneezing. Such include:

Use a modifier – The market has various modifiers ideal for managing allergies, rhinitis, and asthma. Seek expert advice when choosing the most suitable humidifier for you.
Invest in a good air purifier – According to Live Science, air purifiers help filter harmful chemicals, ease allergen load in the air, and trap dust or pet dander. Breathing in pure air prevents nasal irritation and sneezing.
Saline nasal spray – Saline drops and sprays are made by mixing salt and water. This all-natural solution works well to relieve nasal congestion related to colds, flu, asthma, and allergies. You can use this remedy whenever need arises.

Since the solution is isotonic (with the same saline concentration as your body), it moistens your nasal passages, reducing inflammation/irritation. They are best used at the end of the day to clear any trapped pollen, hay or dust.

Try a neti pot – This natural remedy effectively manages a runny nose, facial pressure, and nasal congestion.

Neti pots use saline nasal irrigation or rinses to relieve the above mentioned symptoms. While clearing your stuffy nose, the pot relieves sneezing.

Identify and avoid triggers – What could you be reacting with? Do you sneeze because of hay, pet fur, perfume, or dust? First, find out the allergen triggering a sneeze. Secondly, avoid it at all costs to help reduce the condition.
Stay active – Exercises strengthen your immunity, alleviating allergy symptoms, including sneezing. Some pregnancy-safe exercises are yoga and long-breathing exhalations. Physical activity cleanses the nasal cavities, leaving you without any irritations.

Get vaccinated – Doctors recommend getting a flu shot during pregnancy to protect yourself and the baby from dangerous influenza. Aside from causing you a discomforting sneeze, flu may spread illness to your munchkin after birth. Since the baby is often too young to be vaccinated before six months, your antibodies pass to them for protection against flu.
Boost your immunity – Take lots of foods rich in vitamin C, such as:

Citrus fruits
Tomatoes
White potatoes
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Strawberries
Peppers

Vitamin C is crucial in naturally strengthening your weak immunity, which exposes you to illnesses. Also, ask your doctor about immunity-boosting supplements.

Manage your asthma – This condition is characterized by sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. If you are suffering from it, seek treatment to keep asthma at bay. Additionally, avoid any triggers that could worsen the condition.

Other tips include:

Use a pregnancy belt –You may experience abdominal pain due to constant sneezing. While it’s normal and harmless to your baby, get a pregnancy belt to relieve the discomfort. The belt supports your back too.
Wear a sanitary pad – Interestingly, a hard sneeze could cause urine leaks. The wetness and odor could affect your confidence, especially when outdoors. Always wear a sanitary pad to absorb the urine and keep you confident.

Before taking medication try one or several of the above remedies. If the sneezing isn’t a symptom of another issue, it will subside naturally over time. Nevertheless, contact your doctor regularly for advice.

When To See A Doctor

Are you still thinking, “can sneezing cause a miscarriage?” Relax. You and the baby are safe. Plus, most home remedies discussed above are effective in managing sneezes.

However, take note of other symptoms accompanying sneezing and seek medical attention immediately. This is because it could indicate underlying health issues that could pose complications.

Talk to your doctor if you get the following symptoms:

Chest pain and wheezing
A high fever of over 37 degrees centigrade or 100 degrees Fahrenheit
Disturbed sleeping and eating patterns
Severe coughing with a yellowish-green mucus
Difficulty in breathing

Wrapping Up

Can a sneeze cause miscarriage? Here’s what you need to know:

Not even the hardest sneeze can affect your unborn baby. The amniotic fluid protects them in your womb.

Sneezing may adversely affect your baby due to a cold, flu, or any underlying medical condition. Flu is linked to pregnancy complications like congenital abnormalities and pregnancy loss.

The occasional pain in your abdomen and pelvis is normal due to pressure ligaments. Using a humidifier /air purifier, neti pots, exercising, vaccination, and eating vitamin C-rich foods alleviates sneezing.

If you’re concerned about the phenomenon, consult your general practitioner immediately.