Most moms know by now that during pregnancy, it’s likely that things are only going to get stinkier from here. Of course, some mild odor changes can be expected during pregnancy. Mom’s discharge may smell a bit stronger than usual, or she may keep on sniffing her armpits due to her newfound BO.

For the most part, however, these offensive smells are due to mom’s heightened sense of smell, a result of the pregnancy hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is believed that these hormones try to put the mom-to-be off even the slightest unusual odors to ensure that she doesn’t eat anything that can harm the baby. After all, inadvertently swallowing a chunk of meat that has gone bad pre-pregnancy may make mom sick for a few days. Now, however, doing so can have serious consequences for the baby! The side effect of all this, however, is that mom might end up disgusted at even her own odor!

But not all bad body smells during pregnancy can be blamed upon mom’s now-delicate nostrils. In fact, it can, at times, signal that something is amiss with the body. Some of these are conditions that may need to be acted upon, if only to prevent them from getting worse. Others, however, are possibly dangerous for both the mom and the baby and may need medical treatment as soon as possible.

We’ve rounded up fifteen of these body smells that a mom to be might have, as well as what she ought to do when she sniffs this from herself.

15 Plain Old Body Odor

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The first culprit? Plain old BO. In some cases, body odor is a result of pregnancy hormones during funny things to the body. If it gets significantly bad however, it may be time to take preemptive measures. Body odor is caused by the proliferation of certain microorganisms, which have by-products that produce those classically pungent odors. It can also, in part, be exacerbated by mom’s increased sweating, which can deliver much-needed nutrients to the said microbes.

In some cases, there won’t be much harm done. But sometimes the microorganisms causing body odor can cause itching or skin infections. In this case, mom will need to take a shower and put on a pregnancy-safe lotion to keep herself comfortable. Mom might also want to get her extra sweating checked. In most cases, it’s nothing. But it can also be a sign of hyperthyroidism, a condition that can harm her and the baby.

14 Metallic Body Smells

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Unless mom is a cyborg, chances are that her body is probably not giving off a metallic smell. Sometimes, however, that is what happens with certain cases of heavy metal poisoning. The tricky part here is that some of these heavy metals are actually essential to the body in small doses.

It is common knowledge that iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the stuff that our red blood cells use to transport oxygen around the body. Zinc plays a role in healing and the immune system. Yet others, like silver, have no discernible use to the body. These heavy metals are fine in small doses, but can be downright toxic when they reach a certain threshold. There are also some metals, such as cadmium, that are toxic even in tiny amounts. Because these metals are so toxic, the body excretes them liberally through sweat and urine, resulting in that strange odor. Heavy metal poisoning during pregnancy can result in miscarriage or birth defects, so it’s best to have it checked right away.

13 Bad Breath

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Unknown to many, bad breath can be a signal of health problems, some of which can be addressed immediately, while others can be harmful more in the long run. Medically called halitosis, this unpleasant symptom can get worse during pregnancy as the pH of body fluids change, disrupting the body’s microbiome. It can be caused by poor dental habits which, in turn, can result in dental caries and gum disease. If left unmanaged, the bacteria growing in the mouth can find its way to other parts of the body, causing lung or heart infections. Not cool for pregnancy.

But bad breath doesn’t always equate with poor oral hygiene. It can also be a symptom of pneumonia or stomach problems, sometimes even liver or kidney conditions. Left untreated, any of these can cause discomfort to the expecting mom or even harm the pregnancy. In any case, it’s best to get it checked to find out what, exactly, is causing the problem.

12 Foot Smells

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We’ve discussed earlier that pregnancy results in an imbalance of the body’s microbiome. This can make the pregnant mom prone to fungal infections. It just so happens that two places where fungus loves to wreak havoc are the feet. This can be exacerbated by the fact that the mom-to-be is retaining extra fluid that can pool in the legs, making them prone to injury. While fungal infections of the feet can rarely affect the pregnancy itself, it can make the expecting mom super uncomfortable.

After all, fungal infections can result in pain, itching, cracks and sores on the feet. With all the extra weight that mom has to carry around on her feet during pregnancy, this isn’t a wonderful thing to have. Fortunately, however, fungal infections are treatable. Make sure to consult a doctor and not get over-the-counter medication, as some antifungal meds can be dangerous for the baby, so it’s best to get one that the doctor approves.

11 Smelling Like Baked Bread

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A whiff of freshly-baked bread may sound desirable, mouth-watering, even. However, it may have some unappetizing implications. But people who smell oddly like they’ve just come out of the village bakery may have a condition that is very bad for the pregnancy: typhoid fever. This condition is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi and can be acquired by ingesting contaminated food or water. If someone in the family acquired typhoid fever, strict hygiene is extremely important in order to prevent the transfer of the bacteria to other people.

Typhoid fever usually presents as a high fever that is worse at night. A rash may also appear on the chest, although this will usually go away within a week. A person with typhoid fever may also experience abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea, weight loss and body weakness. Since this condition can increase the risk for miscarriage and premature birth, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible.

10 Smells That Aren’t There

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Mom will likely have super smell that’s far more sensitive than anyone else’s. It is, however, another thing entirely to smell something that just isn’t there. This can, however, be what is called an aura, or a strange sensation that comes just before a migraine or a seizure. They can in some cases, however, occur independent of a seizure.

This is of particular concern to women who have a past history of epilepsy or other seizure disorders, especially since in less than a third of women, seizure occurrence increases during pregnancy. Those with seizure disorders must take necessary precautions when they experience an aura to ensure that they do not get injured in case a seizure follows. What’s more, some antiepileptic drugs can be dangerous for the pregnancy. At the same time, however, it’s even more dangerous to go on without them. It is necessary to talk to a doctor to adjust medication dosage to balance both the baby’s and the mom’s safety.

9 Popcorn Urine

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Some women go to the bathroom and then, suddenly, catch a whiff of what smells like the snack counter of a movie house. Popcorn smells in urine is another thing that sounds nice, but can have dangerous implications. In some women, it is a sign of diabetes, although this is rare. The most likely culprit is a dangerous condition known as preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a poorly-understood condition of pregnancy. Its primary characteristic is increased blood pressure in women who were not hypertensive prior to the pregnancy. It is also associated with kidney damage, which can result in proteins being excreted in the urine, causing that characteristic popcorn-y smell. This may also be accompanied by less urine than usual, severe edema (swelling), headaches and tummy aches. Untreated, this can develop into an even more dangerous condition called eclampsia, which can threaten the life and health of both mom and the unborn child.

8 Sweet-Smelling Urine Or Sweat

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Many a romantic poem praises the lady love for her sweet smell, among other things. Health-wise, however, this doesn’t bode well for her. Unless she’s just wearing some really strong perfume, that is. Sweetness means sugar. Women with diabetes will often have sweet-smelling, often even fruity, urine and sweat. She may also experience symptoms like excessive hunger, sweating and urination.

As many know, diabetes can pose a risk to the pregnancy if left untreated. This is whether the mom-to-be has had it before or if she has gestational diabetes, a condition that only develops during pregnancy. In any case, consistently high blood sugar levels can result in stillbirth or birth defects. The baby may also grow too large to fit in the birth canal. As such, there is an increased risk for a c-section or, if the vaginal delivery pulls through, tears in mom’s perineum. It is therefore essential that the mom-to-be gets screened for diabetes so she can get treatment immediately.

7 Urine That Smells Like Ammonia

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Some moms may notice that their urine begins to smell of ammonia. Note that this is actually normal in people who are vegetarian or are taking protein-rich diets, because ammonia is actually one of the by-products of the breakdown of proteins. As long as the mom-to-be maintains a balanced intake of nutrients and receives screening during her prenatal checkups, this should be fine.

Otherwise, it is worth looking into. This is especially if it is darker in color than usual. One of the things that can cause it is dehydration. During pregnancy the body’s fluid requirements are increased. It is therefore easy to miss the daily water quota. But urine that smells like ammonia can also be an indicator of liver problems, severe untreated diabetes, sexually transmitted infections or metabolic disorders. All of these conditions can negatively affect the pregnancy so it’s important to tell the doctor about it right away.

6 Foul-Smelling Stool

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Of course, poop will normally not smell very nice. But once it crosses the line between nasty and downright putrid, this is definitely not a good sign, especially for the mom-to-be. Most people know that stool is basically the remnants of food, mostly indigestible stuff that cannot be absorbed by the body, all in a compact lump. Foul-smelling stool could be an indicator that something is wrong with the digestive system. In some cases, it is the result of intestinal infection. In yet others it is due to conditions that result in the malabsorption of nutrients. This can include conditions like Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, Celiac disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

These conditions can damage the intestines, which may result in abdominal pain, weight loss and even intestinal bleeding. This could also mean that the baby may not be getting enough nutrients, as these are already ill-absorbed by the mom’s digestive system.

5 Fruity Breath

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Have breath that smells like fruits or, even, nail polish? This is a sign of a serious complication of diabetes, known as diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. This usually occurs after a long period of insulin deficiency, whether due to missed or inadequate doses of insulin or a recent illness that triggered a reduced efficacy of insulin. Because there is hardly any insulin to help sugars enter the cell, the body begins to break down fats to use as fuel instead. It is usually accompanied by weakness, fast breathing, body aches, nausea and vomiting.

If a mom suspects that she has DKA, she can test this through a kit that tests urine ketones and can be purchased over the counter. Once she confirms that she, in fact, has DKA, it is extremely important to seek medical help. Left untreated, a person with DKA may enter a coma, which is dangerous for both the mother and her unborn child.

4 Fishy Discharge

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An unpleasant, fishy smell to vaginal discharge is definitely not good news. Usually, this is a result of the overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina in a condition known as bacterial vaginosis. This is a common condition, with up to a third of women experiencing it in at least one pregnancy. Aside from the fishy smell, it also comes with an unusually colored vaginal discharge (not whitish nor clear), itching and painful urination. However, only a medical examination can distinguish bacterial vaginosis from sexually transmitted infections.

Vaginosis is dangerous for pregnancy, as it is associated with increased rates of miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm labor. It is also linked with risk for premature rupture of membranes, or early breakage of the amniotic sac, which could, in turn, put the baby at risk for infection. Fortunately, it is easily treatable. It is therefore important to inform the doctor of any changes in vaginal discharge for early diagnosis.

3 Yeasty Discharge

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In some women it is not the vaginal bacteria that grows wild. Instead, it may be normal vaginal yeast that manages to overpower the immune system. Called vaginal candidiasis or simply vaginal yeast infection, this condition sometimes results in a discharge that smells distinctly yeasty or cheesy. In a majority of cases, however, it will be odorless. The discharge may also be white or yellow in color and lumpy in texture, almost like cottage cheese.

While not as serious as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections can cause plenty of discomfort and other problems. It will, for instance, make mom’s nether regions itchy and sore, which is definitely not a great thing considering all the other things that mom has to deal with. There is also a risk that mom might transfer the infection to the newborn upon childbirth, resulting in oral thrush. Both candidiasis and oral thrush are easily treatable. It’s best to ask the doctor for a pregnancy-safe antifungal medication.

2 Foul-Smelling Discharge

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Needless to say, discharge that smells like a rotting corpse does not bode well. If this happens, call the doctor right away. In some cases, this discharge could be due to a sexually transmitted infection. This will require immediate treatment, as many STIs can increase the risk for miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects. These may also be transmitted to the baby during childbirth.

But another reason why foul-smelling discharge is so concerning to the expecting mom is that it could be a sign of a miscarriage. This usually starts off as spotting that may transition to thick, brownish discharge with a putrid smell. It will usually be accompanied by a fever and painful abdominal cramps. When this happens, see the doctor immediately to confirm the loss of the pregnancy. What’s more, some miscarriages are incomplete, which means that some of the products of conception still remain in the womb. In this case, the doctor may have to take out any remaining tissue manually to prevent complications.

1 Cigarette Smoke

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We all know that moms-to-be must stay away from smoking and cigarette smoke. After all, tobacco smoke contains a plethora of toxic chemicals, all dangerous for the baby. This includes nicotine, cyanide, formaldehyde, tar and carbon monoxide. Considering all the stresses of pregnancy, it can be tempting to whip out a stick or two. But it’s best to avoid this temptation as smoking during pregnancy dramatically increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth and birth defects.

The risks don’t end with being around smoke, however. Smells that stick to clothes and the body, also known as third hand smoke, has also been found to adversely affect health. Basically, even if mom was only hanging around with smokers for a short period of time, she may still be inhaling any chemicals left on her clothes and hair throughout the day. This means that if anything smells like cigarettes, it’s best to stay away!

Sources: Livestrong.com, FitPregnancy.com, RedbookMag.com, SagePub.com, DailyMail.com, AmericanPregnancy.com