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Heightened Sense Of Smell During Pregnancy

Heightened sense of smell during pregnancy

Heightened Sense Of Smell During Pregnancy 

 

There are numerous symptoms that a mom-to-be experinces. Some of these are really weird and its tough to figure their reasons. Hyperosmia is a heightened and hypersensitive sense of smell that has been associated with a number of medical conditions.

 

Many women report a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy.

This heightened sense of smell can be traced back to the prehistoric ages when humans did not have safe spaces and had to combat dangerous animals or other human beings all the time. The presence of a new life-form in the body triggered the protective mechanisms present in it, which included the sense of smell to detect any predator or danger and keep yourself safe. It is believed that this high sense of smell assists the mother in sniffing out any toxic food items before consumption that could be harmful to her and the child.

 

Many pregnant women notice changes in their sense of smell during pregnancy, usually during the first trimester. The significance of these changes and their effect may vary among all expectant moms.

When a women experiences hyperosmia, they can experience smells more strongly than other people. This strong sense of smell may lead them to experience discomfort and illness from certain odors.

People who experience hyperosmia during pregnancy may also experience increased nausea and vomiting. It can also trigger headaches.

 

But there’s no way to literally train your nose not to be super sensitive while your hormones are surging. You will have to just take this as one of those mom-to-be experiences and wait around until later months or after your baby is born. Pregnancy-induced hyperosmia tends to go away after the pregnancy ends and hormone levels return to normal.

 

There are different theories, but all revolve around the different processes going on while you’re growing your baby.

The plasma volume (blood flow) in your body increases by up to 50 per cent in pregnancy, so anything moving from your blood to your brain reaches it faster and in larger quantities. This heightens your responses and some experts think that’s why you react more strongly to smells.

 

How to bring it under control?

 

Although you cannot really find a way to erase this symptom but there are other ways that you can keep in mind. You can follow them to avoid an overwhelming situation on a regular basis. You can also keep your regular people aware of your condition. Ask your colleague, friends, family members to be sensitive to your new superpower of smell and maybe go easy on their cologne around you.

 

  1. Stick with neutral toiletries if you’re struggling with the smell of your usual ones.
  2. Cook (and eat) only those foods you can stand to smell.
  3. There’s a pregnancy safe essential oil or scent you like? Then try putting a few drops on a tissue or flannel when you’re out.
  4. Mint, lemon, ginger and cinnamon are more likely to soothe your nausea.
  5. Drink herbal drinks that are good for you.
  6. You might not be able to stand the smell of cigarette smoke. Also, inhaling cigarette smoke also indirectly poses harm to your child.
  7. Keep windows open and look for opportunities that allow cross ventilation.
  8. Wash your clothes often and use a nice gentle detergent to clean them.
  9. Ensure your fridge gets a cleaning. You can also keep a box of baking soda if you can, to neutralize the smell inside.
  10. Try scents associated with infants. It is believed that some moms-to-be are calmed by scents associated with infants, like – baby powder.

 

Also read: Metallic taste in mouth during pregnancy – Dysgeusia

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