Hurts When I Sneeze in Pregnancy - Reasons & Safe Remedies

As if you haven’t got enough aches and pains when pregnant and then you sneeze! Even that normal and simple action causes you pain and discomfort. But is this normal and should we be worried if it hurts when I sneeze in pregnancy?

It Hurts When I Sneeze in Pregnancy

Pain when sneezing in pregnancy could be a sign of round ligament pain. But although this is painful to you it will not cause any harm to either you or your baby. But there are ways that you can manage sneezing so as to limit your pain. Read on to find out how.

Why Does Sneezing Hurt During Pregnancy

We know when you are pregnant that you worry about everything even those things that before would have not crossed your mind, like sneezing.

Sneezing can become more frequent when you are pregnant and there are a few different reasons for this but if you are thinking I’m pregnant why does it hurt when I sneeze, Keep reading.

First of all, pain when sneezing does not mean that you are at increased risk of miscarriage or that anything is wrong with your baby.

The pain comes from the increased pressure that is being put on the ligaments around your uterus. It is often referred to as round ligament pain. These ligaments are now stretched to their limits and the pressure of sneezing or even coughing can cause pain.

Is It Normal To Hurt When Sneezing During Pregnancy?

Unfortunately, it is another one of those common pregnancy symptoms that are never really mentioned. But be rest assured it is quite common if sneezing hurts during pregnancy.

As your pregnancy progresses the ligaments around your stomach and uterus are being continually stretched to their limit. But there are ways in which you can help your ligaments.

How To Help Round Ligament Pain

As with any kind of pain, rest is always going to be the best option. But this is not always possible especially if you are working, have other children, and have a house to run. So what can you do?

Moving more slowly from one position to the next can help ligaments to slowly stretch out.
If you know that you are going to sneeze or laugh you can try bending and flexing your hips. This can help to reduce the pull on your ligaments.
Your healthcare provider may recommend some daily stretching exercises.
Prenatal yoga is specially designed for pregnant women and their changing bodies, so it can help with pain and keep your body flexible.
Walking is a great form of exercise whether you are pregnant or not. It helps to relax your body which in turn can make round ligament pain more difficult to experience.
A warm bath is another amazing option and not only does this help to give your ligaments and pelvic area a little break as you float in the water, but it can also help you relax and take some time for yourself.
Take regular breaks. If you are working at a desk all day you should ensure that you get up and walk around as remaining in one position for hours on end can in fact make round ligament pain worse.

Although the pain associated with sneezing and round ligament pain can be scary there really is no need to worry as these are not usually signs of problems with your pregancy.

Causes of Excessive Sneezing While Pregnant

You may find that you are sneezing more than normal now that you are pregnant and this is referred to as pregnancy rhinitis. This is where you experience more nasal congestion which can start at any point during your pregnancy and usually disappears two weeks after the birth of your baby.

Symptoms include:

Runny nose
Sneezing
Stuffiness.

Other causes of excessive sneezing are:

Allergies

If you are an allergy sufferer before you were pregnant then there is a pretty good chance that this will not change once you are pregnant. So if your allergies cause sneezing and other respiratory problems then these will continue.

Allergies such as pet allergies, or seasonal allergies can all trigger sneezing so if this is you then there is a pretty good chance that this excessive sneezing along with ligament pain is why it hurts when I sneeze in pregnancy.

Sickness

You may not be aware that pregnant women have weaker immune systems so you are far more likely to catch things like colds, flu, or any other bugs that are going around.

These common illnesses may last longer than normal or even be more severe in a pregnant woman than in someone who isn’t pregnant.

How To Manage Sneezing While Pregnant

As we pregnant women know we have to be extremely careful with any medication that we ingest as this is passed on to our baby. There are some medications such as painkillers, allergy medication, and antihistamines that are a big no-no when pregnant. But there are some that are safe and you would need to chat with your doctor about what options are available to you.

There are also some remedies that you can try at home that may help to manage your sneezing.

Managing Any Conditions Like Asthma

If you suffer from Asthma then it is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor and come up with a plan that you can follow. This is the same if you are suffering from any other long term health conditions.

A Humidifier

Dry air can irritate your throat and nasal passages causing coughing and sneezing. You can avoid this by using a humidifier at night which will help to prevent the air from drying out.

An Air Purifier

If you suffer from allergies and these are the cause of your sneezing then you could try using an air purifier. This will help to remove these allergens from the air and in turn lower your chance of having a sneezing fit.

Assuming Certain Positions

As we said above there are things that you can do to try and help with painful sneezing during pregnancy. One of these things is to hold your belly when sneezing or you can try lying in the fetal position.

A Neti Pot

This is also known as a sinus rinse and helps to flush out mucus and allergens from your nasal passages. It is usually a solution of warm salt water.

A Saline Nasal Spray

These work in a similar way to a neti pot by reducing the irritation in your nasal passages and so reducing your chance of sneezing.

Avoiding Triggers

If you know that pets, seasonal allergies, or other allergens are likely to set off your sneezing fit then it really is best to try and avoid these triggers as much as you can.

Flu Shot

It is safe to get the flu shot when you are pregnant and is actually recommended. It is best to get it before the November flu season begins in order to give you the best coverage.

Exercise

If your pregnancy is healthy and low risk there is no real reason that you can not stay active. Exercising is not only good for your body by helping to boost your immune system and keep those ligaments and muscles flexible but it is also great for your mental health too.

A Pregnancy Belt

These are amazing! I used one in all my pregnancies as I suffered from terrible pelvic girdle pain. A pregnancy belt helps by supporting your uterus and also offering additional support which helps to take away the pressure on your pelvic floor. This can help you to avoid round ligament pain altogether. But if you already have it, it can work to take the strain off those over stretched ligaments too.

When Should I Get Help

As we have said sneezing on its own is rarely if any cause for concern. However, if the sneezing is accompanied by other symptoms you should seek help immediately.

Trouble keeping down fluids
A fever over 102 degrees F
Trouble breathing
Coughing up mucus – yellow or green in color
Chest pain
Wheezing
Not able to sleep
Severe headache
Loss of appetite
Blowing your nose and there is colored mucus

Wrapping Up

If you are thinking it hurts when I sneeze in pregnancy and are concerned that it means something is wrong, don’t panic it doesn’t. The pain that you are experiencing is called round ligament pain and this is caused by over-stretched ligaments around your stomach and uterus.

It does not mean that there is anything wrong with your pregnancy or your baby. Sneezing will not cause harm to either you or your baby either. If the pain is unbearable then you should consult with your healthcare provider but otherwise, you could try some of our tips above.

Hurts When I Sneeze in Pregnancy – Reasons & Safe Remedies