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Why Your Sense of Smell Changes During Pregnancy
Hormones change significantly throughout pregnancy. Your body makes more oestrogen and progesterone to help your baby grow, but these hormones also change how your brain reacts to different smells. You may notice that scents feel much stronger than before.Some people term this heightened sense of scents as "hyperosmia." It can make everyday smells seem stronger or too intense. A smell that others like may be too strong for you, and this is commonly associated with morning sickness and nausea, especially in the first few months.
How Scents Can Trigger Nausea
When you smell anything, tiny molecules of the smell go right to the part of your brain that controls smell. Your brain thinks these smells are stronger than they really are, since your senses are more sensitive when you're pregnant. This strong signal can make you feel sick, give you migraines, or even make you vomit.Scents can also change how your body digests food. If you smell something unpleasant, your brain may trigger a gag reflex or increase stomach acid production, which can exacerbate your symptoms.
Common Triggers You May Notice
- Body sprays and perfumes: Perfumes typically contain a combination of oils, alcohol, and synthetic components. For you, they can be too overpowering, even though they could seem nice to others. Just walking by someone who is wearing perfume could make you feel uneasy.
- Candles with scents: A lot of candles have fake scents in them that let out chemicals when they are burned. The smell can soon become too strong if your nose is very sensitive, and it might make you feel sick or lightheaded.
- Incense sticks: Incense smells good, but it produces smoke that can be harmful to your lungs, while the smell itself can be too strong, making you feel sick or giving you a headache.
- Scents for the home: Air fresheners, cleaning sprays, and laundry products with strong scents may also be too strong for you while you're pregnant.
Why Some Scents Feel Worse Than Others
Different scents will have different effects on you. For example, you might find floral scents suddenly overwhelming, while citrus aromas still feel fresh and calming. This usually happens because your brain connects some smells with comfort and others with irritation.Strong synthetic smells are more likely to make you feel unwell, while mild, natural scents are usually easier to tolerate. This is why incense or heavily scented candles can feel harsher than those with a gentle, natural fragrance.
Do you also want to know how essential oils can affect you during pregnancy? Find out here!
Are Scented Products Harmful for Your Baby?
Most of the time, scents that make you sick aren't bad for your baby. However, prolonged exposure to smoke from incense or strong chemicals from scented products may irritate your lungs and affect air quality, which isn’t ideal during pregnancy.Strong scents can increase stress and worsen nausea, so it’s best to avoid them when possible. Occasional exposure is unlikely to cause harm.
Tips to Manage Scent-Triggered Nausea
Here are some easy ways to deal with strong smells while you're pregnant:- Don't use strong scents at home: Whenever you can, pick cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and toiletries that don't have any scent, as this lowers the odds of smells that stick around, making you sick.
- Let the air stay fresh: If someone nearby lights a candle or incense, open a window, or use a fan to let fresh air in. Good airflow can often help with pain.
- Choose Gentle Options: If you like the way candles smell, choose soy candles that don't have any scent or that have a natural scent. Instead of incense or sprays, you could use natural alternatives like boiling lemon slices or mint leaves to make a place smell better.
- Tell them what you need: Tell your family, friends, or coworkers that powerful perfumes or sprays can make you feel sick. They are more likely to avoid using these in your presence.
- Bring a soothing smell: It can be calming to keep a tissue with a pleasant scent that you can handle, such as lemon, mint, or ginger. When you smell something strong, inhaling it may help ease nausea.
- Drink plenty of water and eat small meals often: If a smell makes you feel sick, drinking water or herbal tea and eating small meals often will help calm your stomach.
With a few simple adjustments, you can still enjoy your surroundings without letting strong scents take over your day.
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FAQs on How Scented Candles, Perfumes, or Incense Can Trigger Nausea in Pregnancy
- Is smelling scented candles or perfumes dangerous for my baby?
Most scents aren’t directly harmful to your baby, but they can cause you to feel nauseous. Avoid burning incense or candles excessively while pregnant. - Will my sensitivity to smells go away after pregnancy?
Yes. For many, heightened sensitivity typically decreases after the first trimester, although for some, it may persist longer. Once hormones settle post-childbirth, your sense of smell usually returns to normal. - Can I use essential oils instead of perfumes?
Gentle oils, such as lemon or lavender, may be safer and easier to tolerate. Use them diluted, and consult your doctor before regular use.