Voice Change During Pregnancy: The Reasons and Remedies

Pregnancy is a life-changing event. You’ll undergo metabolic, anatomical as well as physiological changes during this phase of your life from the time of conceiving to the time of giving birth to your baby. So, while you swell, put on weight, and experience changes in your skin; you’ll notice that your voice during pregnancy also changes. 

Yes! Pregnancy changes the quality of your voice. But how? Are there ways to deal with it?

The Reasons Behind Voice Change During Pregnancy

Your voice is something that your baby would recognise from the time they are growing up inside your womb. Here are the reasons behind voice changes during your pregnancy:

The Fluctuating Hormones

Due to the soaring pregnancy hormones – the oestrogen and progesterone hormones, your body and mind change in several ways. Such fluctuating pregnancy hormones can impact the quality of the voice during pregnancy too. 

More body fluids

During your pregnancy, the blood volume in the body increases by 45%. At the same time, fluids in the body rise by three pounds. Sometimes additional fluid gets collected near the vocal cord. As a result of which the voice changes and deepens. This aside, the whole body’s blood vessels spread and accumulate in various parts of the body, thus affecting the muscles of the vocal cord.

Swelling in the vocal cords

Pregnancy oedema or swelling is not uncommon. Like the other parts of the pregnant body, the vocal cords swell too. There are chances that you may lose the top notes, and gain the bottom. So, try not to strain your voice during this phase. You may tear your voice.

Lung Capacity Reduces

Since you’re nurturing another life inside you, they push the internal organs upwards, making you feel shortness of breath, and decreased lung capacity, shortness of breath, as well as voice alteration.

Nasal Resonance Reduces

Due to swelling in and around your nasal region, your breathing may not be in proper flow. A hoarse voice during pregnancy may be the result of reduced nasal resonance.

Overall, the voice alterations during pregnancy are temporary and go away after delivery, soon after the body returns to the pre-pregnancy state. However, there are some home remedies that you can try to alleviate the discomfort. Hydration is important, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids to keep your vocal cords hydrated and lubricated. Steam inhalation can also help to soothe the vocal cords and reduce swelling. You can also try using glycerine-based cough drops to help lubricate the throat and reduce irritation. Additionally, avoiding foods that trigger heartburn can help to reduce acid reflux, which can irritate the vocal cords. Don’t forget to consult the doctor.