What Causes An Altered Sense Of Smell During Pregnancy?

Posted on Mon, 3 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 3 Nov 2014 Answered on

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 22 weeks pregnant. lately I have a milk smell around me and I can't get rid of it. It's driving me nuts. I'm not leaking anything to my knowledge.

Answered by Dr. Richa Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is a normal changes in breast during second trimester

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to us about it.

After 14-16 weeks of pregnancy breast changes are getting down during pregnancy and colostrum can produce anytime after it.

It is due to hormonal changes which increases blood flow to the breast and increase their size as well.

In my opinion milky smell is due to colostrum production in your breast.

You can squeeze your breast and may be you are able to see 2-3 drops of colostrum.

To avoid this you can use cotton bra with pad in it and frequent change may be helpful.

Some smell and food aversion common during pregnancy and they will blend off with time by their own.

And then do not take any stress.

Hope it is useful, feel free to ask more.

Good luck.
Regards
Dr.Richa

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari