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Home › Articles › Life Circumstances and Challenges During Pregnancy › Expecting to Sneeze

Expecting to Sneeze

Allergies During Pregnancy

By Dr. David L. Wertheim

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Being pregnant in the summertime can be terrific. No more bundling up in sweaters that could double as king-size blankets. And now you can get outside to take walks for your much-needed exercise.

But braving the outdoors can be challenging if you suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergies at this time of the year are caused by tree pollen in April and early May, grass pollen in May and June and molds, which are present once the weather warms consistently above the freezing point and persist through the hot summer months. Ragweed and other weeds that can trigger allergies are present in the late summer and last into October. If you have these allergies, the best time to be outside is right after it rains, as the pollen gets "washed out of the air" for a while.

Some women report the severity of their seasonal allergy symptoms actually changes during pregnancy. Women in general do suffer from more nasal congestion due to hormonal influences during pregnancy. Allergies compound these symptoms, and sinusitis is about six times more common in pregnant women according to a Finnish study. In general, one-third of women state that their allergies worsen during pregnancy, one-third report that their symptoms stay the same and about one-third say they actually get better. No one can predict into which group you might fall!

Which Medications Are Safe?
When allergy symptoms spring up during pregnancy, the only thing most women would rather reach for is another tissue. Many would rather not take allergy medications. Sneezing, coughing and watery eyes were accepted as yet more symptoms of pregnancy that would be tolerated for the good of the baby, but do they need to be?

The reality is most allergy medications are safe for pregnant women. In 1979, the FDA divided all medications into categories based on their safety for pregnant women. Many over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications are Category B, which means studies in animals have failed to link any increased risk of medical problems to the fetus. Other allergy medications are Category C, wherein no studies have been done as of yet, or there were studies which showed potential problems in animal fetuses but not in humans. Category C medication may be considered safe to use but should be used under the guidance of your doctor.

As always, you need to check with your doctor before taking any medication because your individual medical history may warrant a different recommendation.

Dust and Allergen Dangers

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