Have you ever noticed how a woman’s senses become sharper or sensitive when pregnant? Some women can guess what is being cooked even without entering the kitchen. Certain smells can send some women running out of the room. Are you one of them? If your sense of smell is suddenly heightened, here is everything you need to know.
Hyperosmia is a heightened sense of smell. It increases one’s sensitivity toward odours and is very common during pregnancy. Most pregnant women notice this change in their sense of smell in their first trimester. For some, it will subside, and for some, it will continue throughout their pregnancy.
The level of sensitivity and its impact can vary from woman to woman. Some women may just be sensitive and be able to pick out certain smells from anywhere, while certain smells can even trigger morning sickness in some women.
Pregnancy brings about a sea of hormonal changes. The increase in estrogen production can cause this heightened sense of smell during pregnancy.
It is not just the strong scents that can be triggering; it can even be something pleasant smelling, but the pregnancy hormones can make you retch even when that smell wafts through the air.
In most cases, it could be the smell of cooking certain ingredients like onions, radishes, etc or perfumes, scented candles or even cleaning products.
No, changes in the sensitivity towards smell are widespread in pregnancy and will subside as the hormonal balance returns. It may not cause permanent changes or issues, but it can be not easy to live with.
The heightened sensitivity can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, interfere with your appetite, etc. These side effects can affect your quality of life and make it more irritable or exhausting to carry on with your regular tasks. Apart from this discomfort, there is nothing to worry about. However, if you are feeling anxious, depressed, or just irritated because all smells seem triggering, you can talk to your doctor and identify a solution.
If the sensitivity continues even after your pregnancy, then it could indicate an underlying health issue. You should consult your doctor regarding the same.
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Sadly, there is nothing much you can do about your heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. You have to wait for your hormones to come back into balance. In the meantime, you can try the following to help you through –
● More Ventilation - Open up your windows and let fresh air in. With enough ventilation and air movement across the rooms, the triggering smells won’t linger enough to cause you discomfort. You can also step out anytime smells inside the room trigger you.
● Cautious Cooking – You can try avoiding using the triggering ingredients in your cooking. If the smell of cut onions is making you nauseous, you can ask someone to cut it for you and stay away for a few minutes until the smell settles down. If possible, ask someone else to cook, as many smells can be very triggering for some women.
● Change Products – If your laundry detergent or floor cleaner is triggering your sense of smell, change the product. Try a different variant or opt for the odour-free variants.
● Say No to Perfumes – Stop using deodorants or perfumes that are triggering. Sometimes, certain smells mixing with the smell of your perfume can also be triggering. You can try different fragrances or opt for the fragrant-free ones.
● Smell a Lemon – If you are stepping out, there is not much you can control. You can carry small wedges of lemon or some citrus-scented tissues to smell every time something triggers you.
● Communicate – If your partner’s or co-worker’s perfume triggers your sensitivity, you can request them to change their products. Yes, it may seem unfair, especially in your workspace, but you cannot control your hormones, and you will be surprised at how accommodating people can be with pregnant women.
● Chew Away – Chewing gum can help keep your nausea under control. The chewing gum’s smell and the constant action of chewing can help distract your nose.
● Change Your Surrounding – Try lighting a scented candle or using potpourri in your room or on your desk. Surrounding yourself with pleasant smells that you like can help keep those unpleasant odours at bay and also control your nausea. Ensure you use safe products that do not contain endocrine disruptors or harmful chemicals as it can be unsafe, especially during pregnancy.
This heightened sense of smell will subside as your pregnancy progresses or after your delivery. It can be very uncomfortable, but it is nothing to worry about. It will not harm you or your baby in any way. With a little effort and patience, you can cross this small hurdle in pregnancy too.
A heightened sense of smell can start as early as just a few days after conception. After successful fertilisation, the body will start making hCG, the pregnancy hormone that can cause these changes. In most cases, the sensitivity can reach its peak between weeks 1 and 6. It will slowly subside by the end of the first trimester.
No, there is nothing to worry about, as it is very common in pregnancy. The increase in sensitivity will not cause any harm to you, your baby, or the pregnancy itself.
It only means the production of certain hormones is increasing, which is necessary in pregnancy. If the sensitivity persists even after the delivery, it can indicate health issues. Some people suffer from hyperosmia even without pregnancy.
