If you had a cold or the flu before becoming pregnant, you might have taken over-the-counter (OTC) cold medicines. You may be wondering, "Can I take cold medicine when pregnant?" If you're pregnant, trying to become pregnant, and taking or contemplating taking medicine, you should always consult with your doctor before taking any kind of medication.
However, treating a cold or flu during pregnancy does not have to be a difficult experience and does not always require the use of medication. Depending on the severity of your cold, you can look to soothe your symptoms with some simple home remedies.
How to Avoid Flu While Pregnant
One of the most crucial systems shielding the mother against the environment and preventing harm to the fetus is the immune system. The maternal immune system has a strengthened network of identification, communication, trafficking, and repair during pregnancy. If necessary, it can sound the alarm to safeguard the health of both the mother and the fetus! The fetus, who is on the other side, unquestionably contributes to the developing active immune system that will change how the mother reacts to her environment and contribute to the immune system's uniqueness during pregnancy. Therefore, it is appropriate to refer to pregnancy as a unique immune condition that is modulated but not suppressed.
Pregnancy should not, therefore, be associated with increased vulnerability to infectious diseases; rather, there is a regulation of the immune system that results in varying reactions depending not only on the microorganisms but also on the phases of pregnancy.
So, you can see, to a certain extent, much of this information is interesting. Whether you’re pregnant or not (but especially if you’re pregnant), it’s important to do all you can to keep your immune system functioning optimally. There are a couple of ways you can do this:
- Wash your hands often
- Get enough sleep
- Consume a nutritious diet, as nutrition in pregnancy is especially important
- Avoid interaction with ill family members or acquaintances
- Do regular physical activity
- Stay hydrated
Getting ill while pregnant may be very unpleasant, and you may question whether it's okay to use over-the-counter drugs to relieve your symptoms. In general, physicians advise women to avoid taking drugs during pregnancy. If and you want to take anything to relieve cold or flu symptoms, check with your doctor about what's safe and what you should avoid.
If you end up not avoiding the common cold, here are 5 home remedies to help you feel better without the need for medication:
Stay Hydrated
While suffering from a cold, a painful throat may make it difficult to sip water. It is critical to maintaining your body hydrated for your own and your baby's well-being. A study showed that drinking hot liquids may bring relief from runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness and tiredness. Drink at least 8 to 12 glasses of water every day to stay hydrated. You can also benefit from consuming hot drinks. Vegetable soup and fruit drinks may help relieve discomfort and keep you hydrated. You can also check our dehydration during pregnancy post to find details about dehydration while you are pregnant.
Prenatal Vitamins
Your doctor has probably prescribed a number of prenatal vitamins for you to take during your pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins provide vitamins and minerals which boost your body's natural immunological response of disease-fighting to fight off the illness. A daily prenatal vitamin also may contain essential nutrients for the immune system, such as Vitamin D, iron and so on. Even when you are sick, continue to take your vitamins without interruption.
Honey
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. Try adding honey or lemon to a warm cup of decaffeinated tea to relieve a sore throat. This also can help with coughs.
Rest and Sleep
Resting with a cold during pregnancy can seem impossible, being unable to breathe and coughing throughout the night. Rest is one of the best ways to give your body the time and energy to fight off the infection and heal.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is not just an old wives' tale; it is high in minerals and vitamins that help your immune system fight infections, and it also has anti-inflammatory qualities. It helps relieve inflammation and soothe congestion by increasing mucus flow.
Chicken soup also includes salt and potassium, which help with electrolyte balance and hydration. To keep hydrated when unwell, you must consume more fluids.
Consume Ginger
For generations, ginger has been used as a herbal treatment to cure a variety of diseases, such as colds, sore throats, and nausea. You may be wondering if it is safe to eat ginger during pregnancy. It is safe to consume fresh ginger root while pregnant. However, remember that dried ginger root should not be consumed during pregnancy due to higher concentrations levels of two compounds, Shogaol and Gingerol. Before taking any ginger supplements, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider.
Research suggests that consuming up to 1 gram of fresh real ginger per day is safe for you and your developing baby. This equates to 4 cups (950 ml) of packaged ginger tea or homemade ginger tea made from 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of grated ginger root steeped in water.
Add 1 tablespoon of grated ginger to 1½ cups of water. Boil and then let it simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and add honey and lemon juice. Drink this herbal tea no more than three times per day.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Cold symptoms typically last 10-14 days, and the negative is that the viral infection may resurface just as you are on your road to complete recovery. If you feel that your symptoms are worsening or that there is no indication of improvement, you should inform your doctor about your situation. Get immediate medical help if you experience the following symptoms:
- dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain or pressure
- vaginal bleeding
- confusion
- severe vomiting
- high fever that isn’t reduced by acetaminophen
- decreased fetal movement
