Stuffy nose at night during pregnancy: why it happens and what helps

A stuffy nose at night is one of the most common and least talked-about parts of pregnancy. Doctors call it pregnancy rhinitis, and Cleveland Clinic says it's caused by pregnancy hormones, is usually worse at night and tends to clear within two weeks of giving birth. In the meantime, simple drug-free steps like saline, humidified air, raising your head and nasal strips can make bedtime breathing easier. Check with your midwife or doctor before taking any medicine for it.

Why is your nose stuffy at night during pregnancy?

A stuffy nose at night during pregnancy is usually pregnancy rhinitis, a congestion caused by hormones rather than a cold or allergy. Cleveland Clinic explains that the nose has receptors that respond to hormones like estrogen. In some people, higher hormone levels cause those receptors to widen the blood vessels in the nose and make more mucus, which blocks it and makes breathing harder.

A 2025 narrative review in Life adds that progesterone, increased blood volume and leakier blood vessels probably contribute too, causing the lining of the nose to swell. The exact mechanism still isn't fully worked out.

Cleveland Clinic lists these symptoms:

• a stuffy or blocked nose, the main symptom
• a runny nose and sneezing
• nasal swelling
• postnasal drip
• loss of smell
• difficulty sleeping, because congestion is usually worse at night

Cleveland Clinic defines pregnancy rhinitis as congestion in the later part of pregnancy that lasts at least six weeks, in someone who doesn't have allergies, a cold or a sinus infection. If your symptoms don't fit that pattern, it's worth asking your midwife or doctor whether something else is going on. Our article on why your nose gets stuffy at night covers the other common causes.

How common is a stuffy nose in pregnancy?

A stuffy nose in pregnancy is common, though estimates vary widely. In a Swedish study published in 2000, midwives asked 599 women about nasal symptoms at their routine checkups, and 22% developed pregnancy rhinitis. The same study found smokers had a 69% higher relative risk, while hay fever, asthma and the month of conception made no significant difference. It also found pregnancy rhinitis could start at any point in pregnancy.

The 2025 review in Life puts estimates between 9% and 39%, depending on how studies define the condition. It says most cases begin after the 20th week, as estrogen and progesterone levels rise, and that pregnancy rhinitis often affects women with no history of nasal problems or allergies. The review also suggests it's more common than doctors recognize, because many women may not realize their symptoms are a distinct condition.

How long does pregnancy rhinitis last?

Pregnancy rhinitis usually lasts until the end of pregnancy and then clears quickly. Cleveland Clinic says it can last a few weeks or all the way to delivery, and that for most people it goes away within a few days to two weeks after the birth. Knowing there's an end point can help on the nights it feels endless.

What helps a stuffy nose at night during pregnancy?

The safest first steps for a stuffy nose during pregnancy are drug-free. The 2025 review says non-drug approaches are considered safe throughout pregnancy and may be enough in mild to moderate cases. The table below sums up the main options and what the sources say about each.

Saline rinses and sprays

Saline is the most widely recommended option. The 2025 review says saline nasal irrigation helps clear mucus, reduce nasal dryness and restore the nose's natural clearing action, and that plain saline is the recommended choice in pregnancy. Cleveland Clinic also lists saline rinses with a neti pot or rinse bottle among the treatments a provider might suggest. Our guide to using a saline rinse walks through it step by step.

A humidifier in the bedroom

Moist air can make a dry, irritated nose feel better. The 2025 review says humidifying room air, especially in colder seasons or air-conditioned rooms, may help reduce irritation and congestion. See our article on using a humidifier for sleep for tips on settings and cleaning.

Raising your head

Lying flat can make congestion feel worse. Cleveland Clinic suggests sleeping slightly upright, and the 2025 review says a semi-upright position may improve breathing at night. Extra pillows or a wedge under your upper body are easy ways to try it. Our guide on how to sleep with a stuffy nose has more ideas for bedtime.

Nasal strips

Nasal strips are a drug-free option that holds the nostrils open from the outside. The 2025 review says they can be helpful at night by widening the nasal valve and lowering resistance to airflow. In a small double-blind trial published in 1996, pregnant women with nighttime congestion used either a spring-loaded strip or a placebo strip without a spring. The 12 women on the real strip gave more favorable answers on 8 of 10 diary questions about breathing and sleep, and found breathing easier overall.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine adds useful context. In 54 pregnant women who snored, strips didn't change measures of breathing problems during sleep. So strips are a reasonable way to ease a blocked nose, not a fix for sleep apnea. Our article on nasal strips during pregnancy covers both studies in detail.

Is it safe to take decongestants while pregnant?

Decongestants and other medicines need a conversation with your midwife, doctor or pharmacist first. NHS says most medicines taken in pregnancy cross the placenta and reach the baby, and advises checking that any medicine is suitable before you take it, including ones you buy yourself. It also says not to stop a prescribed medicine without checking with your doctor.

Cleveland Clinic says to ask your provider before using oral decongestants in pregnancy, because some studies have suggested they could harm a developing baby, especially in the first trimester. It also says not to use oral decongestants if you have high blood pressure. Decongestant sprays can cause rebound congestion if you use them for more than a few days, leaving you more blocked when you stop. Our article on decongestant spray rebound explains how that happens.

Cleveland Clinic mentions steroid nasal sprays as another treatment a provider might recommend. The 2025 review notes that the evidence for how well they work in pregnancy rhinitis specifically is limited. Whether any medicine suits you depends on your health and stage of pregnancy, so let your provider decide.

Can a stuffy nose make you snore during pregnancy?

A stuffy nose can contribute to snoring in pregnancy, and snoring often starts or gets worse while pregnant. The 2025 review cites data showing habitual snoring rising from 7% to 11% in the first trimester to 16% to 25% in the third, and links pregnancy rhinitis to poorer sleep and more snoring.

New snoring is worth mentioning at your next appointment. In a 2012 study of 1,719 women in their third trimester, 34% snored and 25% had started snoring during the pregnancy. Snoring that began in pregnancy was linked to higher odds of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, even after the researchers accounted for other factors. A 2005 study of 155 women found that symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness both increased during pregnancy.

Tell your midwife or doctor about new or loud snoring, and get help quickly for gasping, pauses in breathing or signs of preeclampsia. Our article on snoring during pregnancy explains what to watch for.

What about mouth tape during pregnancy?

We don't suggest mouth tape for a stuffy nose in pregnancy. Mouth tape only makes sense when you can breathe comfortably through your nose, and pregnancy rhinitis is a blocked nose by definition. If you were using mouth tape before pregnancy, check with your midwife or doctor before carrying on, and read our article on mouth tape and pregnancy. We don't recommend mouth tape for children.

When should you talk to your midwife or doctor?

Talk to your midwife or doctor if a stuffy nose is affecting your sleep or daily life. Cleveland Clinic says your provider can make sure there isn't another cause, like allergies, and suggest ways to clear your nose. It suggests asking whether it's pregnancy rhinitis or something else, which treatments might help, and which medicines are safe to take.

Also mention it if congestion comes with new snoring, and get prompt help for gasping or pauses in breathing at night. A blocked nose can also leave you waking with a dry mouth, which our article on dry mouth at night in pregnancy covers.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Your midwife or doctor knows your health and can tell you what's right for you.

Read next

• Nasal strips for pregnancy congestion: what the research says
• Snoring during pregnancy: why it happens and when to mention it
• How to sleep with a stuffy nose

* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.