Are you pregnant and smelling strange things that no one else can smell? You may be suffering from phantosmia (olfactory hallucinations.)
Some women find that they can smell strong odors such as smoke, urine or food. Sometimes a real smell, such as rotten food is magnified.
But don’t worry – it’s not a big deal and up to 1 in 5 pregnant experience it, with many more experiencing at least a small change in how strong things taste or smell.
What Causes It?
It’s likely caused by the hormone changes in your body and isn’t usually a sign of an issue during pregnancy. However if you experience it outside pregnancy, you should see a doctor as it can be a symptom of a more serious issue.
When Will It Go Away?
It is often more noticeable during the first two trimesters, especially in conjunction with morning sickness. Most women find it decreases during the third trimester and in most cases, it’s completely gone after birth.
How Can I Stop It?
Although there are no ways to get rid of it completely, you can try helping it using essential oils, taking a bag of herbs with your or using any other method that involves drowning out the smells. Unfortunately, until your hormones calm down and baby arrives, there isn’t much else you can do!
Susannah is a certified Birth Doula through Childbirth International and the founder of Trimester Talk. With a background in journalism and digital strategy, she combines evidence-based research with real-world knowledge to create accessible content about pregnancy and parenting. She’s a mother of two and stepmother of two more, all of them now teenagers.