Can pregnancy cause swollen lymph nodes?

Pregnancy does not cause swollen lymph nodes, but women can experience swollen glands caused by various infections during pregnancy. The most common causes of swollen lymph nodes include ear infections, cold, flu, gingivitis, tonsillitis, mouth sores and other infections.

According to WebMD.com, lymph nodes often settle in a location where an infection or tumor develops. The type of swollen lymph nodes can help a doctor identify the underlying problem quicker. Some of the most common sites for swollen lymph nodes include the neck, underarms and groin. Sometimes, the lymph nodes may swell because of a more serious condition such as toxoplasmosis, HIV, herpes or cytomegalovirus.