Cough and Cold during Pregnancy and their Management
“Now I’m Pregnant.. while coughing, my abdomen is paining.And also will the cold symptom harm my baby? How can I get rid of this? Please help me out.” thoughts of many pregnant ladies.
This is the common question asked by many MoMsters.“
Pregnant ladies have a weaker immune system, that’s the reason they are more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. But don’t worry MoMsters, the symptoms of cold will not affect your baby who is protected in the womb by the placenta. You might feel discomfort while coughing.” 
Common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses; there is no medical cure for the common cold, it will get better on their own. We have to just ease the symptoms. (Caring MoMster will help you by giving few tips on home remedies)
Cold Symptoms during Pregnancy:
- Runny nose (1st a clear later a yellow discharge).
- Nasal stuffiness.
- Sore throat.
- Feeling tired
- Slightly swollen glands.
- Mild fever (100-101 degree F).
Symptoms usually last for 5-7 days.
How to find out whether it is an Allergy Cold:
- Continuous sneezing.
- Itching of the nose, ears, and throat.
- Watery eyes.
- Runny and blocked nose
- Dust and pollution trigger the symptoms worst.
Cough:
- Dry cough is generally due to upper respiratory infection, sometimes acid reflux will also cause cough.
- Some of the allergens such as dust mites, pollution, pollen, smoking, alcohol smell, agarbhati smell, chemical fumes, and paint smell trigger an allergy cough which is caused by your immune system’s response.
Dear MoMsters any cough lasting more than 2 weeks must be evaluated, so please take care.
Point to be remembered: Antibiotics do not work on infections caused by viruses. Then you may wonder why doctors prescribe antibiotics?
Let me clear your doubt…
“When doctor diagnosis symptoms related to acute bronchitis, Pneumonia, or Acute bacterial sinusitis, only then he prescribes antibiotics to treat because these infections are bacterial and not viral.”
Now you may wonder how to treat cold and cough during pregnancy! Medicines are safe during pregnancy?
Let me tell you that cold and cough medicines contain multiple ingredients so it is best to check with your gynaecologist about their safety in pregnancy. But most of doctors advise to avoid medications for simple common cold and cough during pregnancy, because few medicines affect the health of foetus. That’s the reason we came out with the amazing and safe home remedies for cough and cold during pregnancy.
Ease Cold and Cough symptoms by using some Home Remedies:
- Steam Inhalation: Helps to clear mucus in the nose and relieves sinuses symptoms. Doing steam inhalation 3 times per day will help.
- Saline nasal spray: It is a solution of sodium chloride and a form of nasal irrigation. This helps to relieve nasal congestion and is safe during pregnancy.
- Gargle: Gargling with warm salt water helps to remove throat infection and cough.
Recipe: Take 1 teaspoon of table salt and turmeric with 1 cup of warm water. Stir until the salt dissolves. Then gargle with it several times and spit it out.
Doing gargle 3 times a day will help.
- Turmeric Milk: Drink a glass of warm turmeric milk before bed, which works like a magic because turmeric works as anti-allergy and antiviral.
Recipe: Take ½ teaspoon of turmeric + ¼ teaspoon of black pepper + a drop of honey (honey is rich in antioxidants) mix all 3 ingredients in the warm milk.
This warm drink helps in faster recovery from cold and cough.
- Medicinal extract: Extract the ginger juice and tulsi leaves.
Recipe: Boil half-inch grated ginger with a cup of water + add few tulsi leaves to the boiling water. Stir the extract and add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder + a drop of honey.
Consume it to get relief from a cough.
- Take plenty of rest which helps to fight the virus and make you feel better.
- Keep your head elevated on your pillow while resting to make breathing easier.
- Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day, which helps to loosen mucus and avoid dehydration.
- Drink warm water.
Cold & Cough Prevention is better than cure especially during pregnancy:
- Immune boosting foods:
Take immune boosting foods like dry fruits, almonds, spinach, oranges, kiwi, melon and green vegetables.
- Prenatal Vitamins:
Taking your prenatal vitamin which contains vitamin B12, vitamin C, zinc, iron and so on will help in preventing cold symptoms.
(But don’t take any medicines or supplements without your doctor’s consultation).
- Avoid anything that triggers your symptoms: like – if you are sensitive to house dust mites, pollution, smoking, alcohol smell, agarbhati smell, chemical fumes and paint smell.
- Maintain good personal hygiene: Make sure you wash your hands before you eat and also cultivate the habit of washing fruits and vegetables with running water before you eat.
- Keep nails short and trim them often in order to prevent the spread of germs.
- Regular baths and wearing clean clothes are good hygiene practices.
- Drink plenty of fluids: During the Winter period always boil water and store for drinking purposes.
- Avoid refrigerated food: During winter if you are sensitive for cold items, then avoid refrigerated food and ice cubes.
- Two vaccines are routinely recommended during pregnancy:
- Flu (influenza) shot: The flu shot is recommended for women who are pregnant during flu season (October – May).
- Tdap Vaccine: These vaccines are given to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis), which is safe during pregnancy.
- Avoid close contact with a sick person.
- Reduce Stress and get enough sleep.
- Eat healthy and go for regular check-ups.
Consult gynecologist if you have symptoms of:
- fever over 100 °F.
- have severe pain when swallowing.
- coughing up yellowish mucus.
- experience nausea or vomiting.
- decreased fetal movement.
- if cold and cough lasts more than 1 week.
“Dear MoMsters incorporate our tips and stay healthy during pregnancy.
To encourage us, just share in the comments section below and also you are most welcome to give a few more safety tips for pregnant ladies”
