Congratulations — you can now smell emotions.

You’re in the middle of your second trimester, life is vibing, you’re mastering the belly rub and embracing the nap like an Olympic event — and suddenly… what is that smell?!

Your partner swears they showered. The fridge looks fine. And yet you’re picking up the scent of something sinister, like expired broccoli, mild betrayal, and 2007 disappointment… all at once.

Welcome to your brand-new pregnancy superpower: the nose that knows. You can now smell EVERYTHING. From subtle seasoning in someone’s sandwich to the emotional state of the Uber driver who picked you up six hours ago — no aroma is safe. It’s intense. It’s invasive. It’s impressively weird. And yes, it’s 100% a thing.

You’re not imagining it. You really can smell guilt, garlic, and your neighbour’s laundry detergent... from three doors down.

Why Is This Happening to Me?

It’s not just you. One of the lesser-talked-about (and frankly, most dramatic) shifts in pregnancy is the rise of your olfactory senses — aka your sense of smell. Blame it on estrogen. Or evolution. Or the pregnancy gods trying to keep things interesting.

There’s a theory that this enhanced nose served a purpose: back in the prehistoric mama days, a super-sniffer might’ve helped you avoid food that was off or danger lurking in the shadows. Now? It mostly helps you detect the exact moment your partner opens a tuna can two rooms away. Useful? Debatable. Impressive? Absolutely.

Commonly smelled offenders in trimester two include:

• Raw meat (instant gag reflex)
• Perfume (even your fave is now Public Enemy #1)
• The inside of the fridge (an assault on all senses)
• The car (yes, it has a smell. It’s betrayal.)
• Your partner’s breath (innocent? Maybe. Offensive? Definitely.)

Pregnancy: when love is blind but smell is savage.

Smells That Suddenly Spark R

age

You used to love that candle. That shampoo. That one brand of peanut butter. But now? They’re triggering. Rage-inducing. An instant ick. Welcome to the sensory betrayal phase.

It’s not about being “dramatic.” It’s about genuine physiological shifts. Your body is adjusting to pregnancy and trying to protect you and baby from anything potentially harmful — including your cousin’s suspicious casserole from last night’s family dinner.

If you find yourself:

• Throwing out perfectly good leftovers
• Switching laundry detergent at 10pm
• Banning your partner from wearing deodorant in your presence
• Weeping because your dog smells too… dog-like

— then congrats. You’ve been inducted into the Smell Sensitivity Hall of Fame. There’s no trophy, just tissues and a lot of nose breathing.

Everything smells personal when you’re pregnant. Even your shampoo’s tone is aggressive now.

What To Do When Every Scent Feels Like an Attack

Let’s be real: you can’t just unplug your nose (though you’ve probably tried). So here’s your survival guide to sniffing your way through the second trimester like the scent-detecting goddess you now are:

• Open a window: Your new BFF. Air flow is your ally.
• Essential oil it up: Lavender, peppermint, or citrus blends can be a lovely distraction (if they don’t also make you gag — test gently!).
• Switch out products: Shampoo, body wash, laundry detergent — if it triggers you, toss it.
• Smell blockers: Carry a hanky or mask with your preferred scent dabbed on. Or tuck a dryer sheet into your bra like a scent ninja.

And if your wardrobe is making you feel overheated and overwhelmed by even your own scent (yes, that happens), swit

ch into something breathable and divine. Enter: Emamaco maternity leggings and shorts. Soft, stretch-friendly, and zero synthetic smell drama. AKA perfect for noses that refuse to compromise.

Surround yourself with soft things and safe smells. Like Emamaco. And maybe citrus sorbet.

Funny (and Slightly Mortifying) Smell Stories

Need some solidarity? You’re not the only one out here smelling sadness in your tea. Here are some real-life examples from the trenches of trimester two:

• "I cried because my dog’s paws smelled like stale popcorn and I couldn’t un-smell it."
• "I told my partner he couldn’t hug me after the gym. Or after using the blender. Or wearing socks."
• "I accused my Uber driver of having ‘emotional baggage breath.’ I meant it with love. Kind of."

You are not alone. You are just nasal royalty now — with an enhanced olfactory system and zero tolerance for BS (bodily smells).

If your nose had a catchphrase right now it’d be: "I smell lies, cheese, and someone’s unresolved trauma."

What If It Gets Too Much?

If you find yourself gagging, throwing up, or avoiding basic functions because of your smell sensitivity, it’s totally okay to bring it up with your midwife or OB. Sometimes it’s a pha

se. Sometimes you just need a little support — or permission to ban fish from your house indefinitely.

Pro tip: lean into rituals. Candles (non-triggering ones). Fresh sheets. Cold fruit. Maternity wear that doesn’t cling, itch, or trap warmth. Like Emamaco’s buttery maternity pieces that feel like a wearable exhale. It’s all about sensory regulation — and reclaiming your space.

Your nose is the main character now. Give her what she wants.

Final Thoughts: You Smell, Therefore You Are

You didn’t ask for this nose. But now that you have it? Use it for good. Avoid bad food. Sniff out emotional danger. Bond with your baby through the scent of your belly butter (if it’s not making you nauseous). And mostly? Give yourself grace.

This superpower — annoying as it is — is just one more way your body is showing up, stepping up, and protecting both you and your baby in wildly unexpected ways. Sniff proudly, mama. You’re doing amazing. Even if you can now smell your own thoughts.

So here’s to the nose that knows, the leggings that love you back, and the scent-free safe spaces you deserve.
Pregnancy might smell like a lot, but you? You smell like resilience, glam, and citrusy goddess energy.

Xoxo,
The Emamaco Team