Are You More Sensitive To Touch When You're Pregnant? Here's What Experts Say

When you’re pregnant, all of your senses seem a bit heightened. "Pregnant nose" means smells you once loved now turn your stomach, and hormones make you want to strangle your chip-crunching husband. (Hopefully, I’m not alone on that one.) But what about hugs from a friend and sexy time touches from your partner? Are you more sensitive to touch when you’re pregnant?

"Basically, women have increased sensitivity during pregnancy because of hormonal changes," Dr. Rebecca C. Brightman, a NYC-based OB-GYN and assistant clinical professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, tells Romper. "Breasts and nipples are more sensitive and so are genital tissues. Women are emotionally more sensitive and pregnancy essentially affects every organ system of the body."

According to What To Expect, pregnant women will especially notice breast tenderness makes them more sensitive to touch. A bump in estrogen and progesterone, as well as increased blood flow to your breasts — hello soon-to-be milking machines — is responsible for the extra soreness.

Of course, your sense of touch isn’t the only thing that’s heightened during pregnancy. Experts say your sense of smell, taste, and even sight all take on a superhero strength when you have a bun in the oven.

Then again, if you are feeling more than just a few goosebumps or general breast soreness, then you may want to talk to your doctor. Rashes and flaky skin can happen during pregnancy, but it may be the result of external irritants, like perfumes or detergents, that could otherwise be avoided, according to What To Expect.

So, it’s good to know that once your bundle of joy arrives, your bionic senses will dwindle, trading places with your newly acquired mom skills. As for the irritation with your loudly chewing hubby? If you’re like me, then exhaustion might still make that one tough to handle.