Is it normal to have extra saliva when pregnant

Everyone knows the classic or common symptoms of pregnancy: tender breasts, missed period, morning sickness, feeling tired, etc. But some pregnant women experience a host of other symptoms that are not-so-common and are unexpected too such as saliva build-up in the mouth. Excess saliva in the mouth is a rare symptom of early pregnancy and is usually experienced by those pregnant women who have morning sickness. Saliva build-up in early pregnancy is medically termed as ptyalism gravidarum.

Yes, it is perfectly normal to salivate a lot more than usual during pregnancy. Usually, the glands that produce saliva tend to generate approximately ml to 1 litre of saliva in an entire day. We know, that seems like a large amount, but it goes unnoticed since we constantly keep swallowing it throughout the day.

However, during pregnancy, if a woman has excess saliva in her mouth, it could be because of increased saliva production or decreased swallowing tendency or a combination of both. A few pregnant women may salivate intensely when they are nauseous.

The saliva in such cases can make one feel like spitting it out. Some women may believe that excess saliva could be an early pregnancy symptom. However, excess production of saliva starts around the 2nd or 3rd week of the pregnancy and settles down around the end of the first trimester.

For certain women, this condition continues throughout the pregnancy and up until the delivery. The problem of excessive saliva in the mouth is not serious and you need not worry about the same.

But there are certain things that you can try to lessen the production of saliva in your mouth. As much as one would like to know how to stop excessive saliva during pregnancy, unfortunately, there are no precautions, no habits, no known techniques that can help reduce the saliva production. Excess Saliva During Pregnancy. Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Wu, M.

Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. An abundance of saliva during pregnancy can make the already unhappy symptom of morning sickness even more uncomfortable. Back to Top. In This Article. When does excess saliva during pregnancy generally start?

Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. Fatigue During Pregnancy. Hyperemesis Gravidarum During Pregnancy. Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy. During the first trimester, many women find that saliva builds up in their mouths—sometimes to the point of interfering with talking.

In the meantime, try chewing sugarless gum or using mouthwash to help keep both saliva and nausea under control. Changing hormone levels—the culprit behind most pregnancy symptoms—can increase blood flow to your nostrils and leave your gums feeling swollen and sensitive, especially during the second trimester. In a recent study, Dutch researchers found that bleeding gums are one of the most common oral changes pregnant women face.

The instinct to clean and reorganize—called nesting—is also common in birds, cats and dogs. By week 20, many women notice their hair and nails seem to be growing faster than usual. Your hair might even feel thicker because not as much is falling out every day. Higher estrogen levels and increased blood circulation are the root of this symptom because they provide extra nutrients to the hair and nails.