"I Can’t Breathe or Smell Anything" — Content Creator Maraji Opens Up About Her Struggle With Pregnancy Rhinitis

In a raw and painfully honest revelation that has struck a chord with mothers and expectant women everywhere, beloved Nigerian content creator Gloria Oloruntobi, popularly known as Maraji, has shared the reality of living with a lesser-known yet deeply uncomfortable pregnancy condition — pregnancy rhinitis. Known for her relatable skits and comedic genius that have earned her millions of followers across social platforms, Maraji isn’t just making people laugh these days — she’s also making them feel seen.

Maraji took to her Instagram stories in the early hours of Monday to vent her growing frustration and helplessness. “I can’t breathe or smell anything,” she wrote. “My nostrils are completely blocked.” Her tone was a mix of humor and quiet despair, laced with the exhaustion many pregnant women can relate to but rarely speak about. For many of her followers who have watched her blossom from a witty online skit maker into a mother and lifestyle storyteller, this sudden confession was both unexpected and sobering.

While pregnancy is often painted with glowing skin, cute baby bumps, and sweet cravings, the behind-the-scenes reality, especially for women dealing with conditions like pregnancy rhinitis, is far from glamorous. Maraji didn’t mince words as she described what it feels like to go through it. “It’s like I’m suffocating through my own face,” she added, trying to inject some lightness into her suffering but clearly at her wits’ end. “I haven’t smelled anything in days — not food, not air freshener, not even baby poop. And that last one, I should be grateful for.”

Pregnancy rhinitis is a condition that affects a significant number of expectant mothers, yet it remains under-discussed, often dismissed as "just a stuffy nose." But for those like Maraji who have experienced it firsthand, it’s anything but trivial. It can make sleeping a nightmare, turn eating into a frustrating experience, and leave one constantly feeling uncomfortable. With hormones surging and blood volume increasing, the nasal passages become inflamed and congested — often for weeks or even months.

Maraji’s vulnerability sparked a wave of support and empathy online, especially from mothers who had previously dealt with similar symptoms but never knew there was a medical term for it. Her fans flooded her DMs and comments with well wishes, home remedies, and solidarity. Some shared stories of how they had to sleep sitting up for months, while others advised on humidifiers, saline sprays, and other natural methods that brought temporary relief.

“Honestly, I just thought I was the only one going through this madness,” one follower replied. “I cried every night because I couldn’t breathe, and everyone kept saying it’s just catarrh. But it’s not. It’s not just catarrh!”

Maraji has always had a gift for balancing comedy with real life. Even in her most vulnerable states, she remains relatable and deeply human. In her Instagram story, she joked about how she tried sniffing onions just to see if she could get even a hint of scent back. “Desperate times,” she said, posting a blurry picture of her red eyes and a cut-up onion on the counter. “I don’t even cry anymore when I chop onions. That’s how you know this is spiritual.”

This isn’t the first time Maraji has gotten real with her audience. Since becoming a mother, she’s documented her journey with postpartum depression, breastfeeding struggles, and now the unpredictability of pregnancy all over again. Unlike the manicured baby bump photos or maternity glow reels that flood social media, Maraji has built her narrative around being honest and unfiltered.

The fact that her recent confession has gone viral only underscores a deep need for more open conversations about maternal health and pregnancy discomforts — the kind that are usually whispered about in corners or dismissed by medical professionals. Pregnancy rhinitis may not be dangerous in most cases, but its impact on sleep, mood, and general well-being can’t be ignored. And Maraji is helping to change that narrative.

Many fans have praised her bravery, calling her a “true voice for pregnant women” and “a breath of fresh air in the suffocating world of perfect mummy influencers.” One user tweeted, “Maraji just made me feel normal for the first time in this pregnancy. I thought I was going crazy not being able to breathe for three months straight. Bless her honesty.”

With her baby bump growing and symptoms intensifying, Maraji says she’s taking things one blocked breath at a time. “It’s the price of creating a whole new human,” she wrote in one update. “God really said, ‘Let’s make this experience unforgettable.’ Mission accomplished, Sir.”

Her post concluded with a sigh that seemed to echo from every corner of motherhood: “No one warned me about this one. But we move.”

As more women continue to share their own struggles with pregnancy rhinitis and other lesser-known maternal conditions, Maraji’s voice serves as a loud, nasal-sounding reminder that behind every glowing Instagram reel is a woman doing her best to breathe — literally. And sometimes, even that is a challenge.