Why Pregnant Women Smell:

1. Hormones- of course, hormones! We have a lot of extra hormones that cause stink. Those hormones are concentrated in the armpits and genital areas. So they’re the stink zones.

2. Increased blood flow- more blood is in your body than ever before and it’s keeping your glands working like crazy, pumping out sweat and stink.

3. Sweat- pregnant ladies are hot and sweaty all the time. That “glow” is actually sweat! Sweat combines with normal bacteria on the skin and we have BO.

4. Stress and emotions- feeling overwhelmed or anxious can release more hormones and more sweat, making a stinky situation.

5. Diet- you might be craving garlic and onion and you will pay for it with an odor later. Other foods like red meat, seafood, and certain veggies have a similar effect.

6. Exercise- movement is great for you and baby, but will cause sweat and can cause stink.

7. Motherly aroma- your baby will have limited eye sight and hearing, but will have a great sniffer. Your baby will get to know you through smell.

I remember on my 4th pregnancy I would smell a strong odor even after my hot yoga class before knowing I was pregnant. Sometimes the odor can be worse in early pregnancy and then it balances out. What I consistently did is follow Bare Pits armpit care steps that have helped tremendously. Many days I don't even need to use anything anymore, maybe just our organic love rose essential oil!

If your acid mantle pH level has been affected or if hormones are affecting the way your body odor is coming out you need to rebuild & restore it

1. Incorporate an armpit cleanse in your skin care routine this will remove all the excess bacteria causing odor

2. Cleanse your armpits with our miracle African lye free soap

3. Use HOLY pit butter to heal any skin irritations that is packed with vitamins & minerals

4. Using our natural deodorant options that will also detox your armpits daily as well as nourish your skin (love rose most popular)

5. Using our organic aluminum free magnesium deodorant spray or Bare Pits aloe non-nano zinc roll on deodorant that will also help neutralize PH & odor as well as give you magnesium (lavender vanilla most popular)

What Causes Body Odor During Pregnancy?

Estradiol is a hormone which increases during pregnancy resulting in a heightened sense of smell. It is easy to deal with odors coming from outside, but the foul smell that emerges from your own body could be intolerable. Understanding the underlying reasons for the bad-smelling odors could help with coping with them. Read on to find out the primary reasons for strong body odor during pregnancy:

1. Hormonal Change

With a drastic change in the hormonal levels in the body, especially with increased quantities of estradiol, your body produces a strong smell. Hormones are the main reason for the pungent odor. The main areas that hormones affect are the genitals and armpits, which is why underarm odor during pregnancy is most common among expectant mothers.

2. Excessive Sweating

During pregnancy, the body temperature rises, and pregnant women generally have a low tolerance while dealing with heat. The additional weight that you carry makes you sweat more even on cold days. Sweat glands in pregnant women become hyperactive and intensify body odor. The sweat is odorless, however, when it settles on the skin, it creates an atmosphere for bacteria to thrive causing bad body odor during pregnancy.

3. Increased Sensitivity

With the increase in the level of hormones, pregnant women experience different cravings and sensations. Your sense of smell will be heightened, and you may find yourself cringing at the slightest of whiffs, occasionally to the point of throwing up. It may be quite likely that people around you have not noticed the odor, but you have. Blame it on your increased sensitivity to things.

4. Preparation for Breastfeeding

When you are pregnant, your body is preparing for lactation. Remember that your little one will take some time to develop proper hearing and vision, and until then, it is their keen sense of smell that will help them recognize things. Your baby will recognize you by your smell, and it is but natural that a strong odor will draw your baby closer to you. Your smelly armpits would encourage your baby to swirl their head in the direction of your breasts to feed naturally.

5. Change in Diet

Healthy food is an integral part of pregnancy, and most expectant mothers eat a variety of nutritious foods. Certain food cause changes in body odor. Red meat has amino acids which cause the sweat to smell a certain way for a couple of hours or even for days. Seafood affects not only the odor of sweat but also vaginal discharge. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower contain sulphur that is absorbed in the bloodstream. This erupts as sweat on the surface of the skin which mixes with bacteria resulting in a foul odor. Some medications that you take will also cause a change in body odor.

Tips for Getting Rid of Pregnancy Body Odor

• Bathe: Shower or take a bath once a day. Use clean towels to wipe yourself dry.

• Cleanse Armpits: It's really important to use our alcohol free cleansing spray that will remove and kill bacteria that cause odor as well as leave your skin nourished from our organic grapeseed oil.

• Shampoo regularly: Wash your hair with shampoo at least three times a week. Spray some perfume on your comb or brush so that it lends the scent to your hair every time you run it through. Keep your comb clean and dry at all times.

• Stay trimmed and pruned: Hair in the genitals and underarms can accumulate sweat and trap bacteria on the skin. Keep it trimmed so that it does not produce sweat that will lead to bad odor.

• Wear loose and breathable clothes: Wear fabrics like linen and cotton, which are more breathable. Avoid wearing the same clothes and wash them after one use. Try adding ¼ cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle to your laundry. You could also try washing your clothes separately and adding fabric conditioner to get them to smell fresh. If your undergarments smell bad, soak them in a solution of ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water for 15 minutes before washing them.

• Stay hydrated: Drink fluids to control body odor as water flushes out all toxins from your body and keeps your system clean.

• Eat right: Avoid eating onions, garlic, and red meat in excessive amounts. Stick to fruits and green vegetable as these will reduce body odor and will also be beneficial to the fetus.

• Exercise: Daily exercise helps circulation in your body as well as sweating so you can detox.

Just remember that pregnancy is such a special and beautiful time, so enjoy!

A baby is so cute and tiny, yet his presence can turn all your life over, in some good or slightly uncomfortable ways. All your priorities change dramatically and your sense of fulfillment reaches a new, unmatched depth.