Colds During Pregnancy: Symptoms, Treatment And How To Prevent Them

Even if you take good care of yourself, you can still catch colds during pregnancy. It is so easy to get sick during the cold months when you are more likely to get respiratory infections or the flu.

When you are pregnant, your immune system is also mainly focused on protecting the growing fetus. It can make you more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and infections.

The biggest problem is that there are far fewer medications you can take when you are pregnant than when you are not. Therefore, there are some things you should know about colds during pregnancy. They are not serious, but they can make you feel really bad.

Colds are usually not serious

Getting a cold during pregnancy is usually not a serious problem. Complications can occur in very rare cases. However, it is important to know that even some of the most common cold medications can expose your baby to serious risks.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen, which are often used for common colds, can affect your baby. Ibuprofen is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. Paracetamol is linked to neuronal problems.

You should not take antihistamines (allergy medicines) or cough medicines. You should definitely not take antibiotics, which are not even effective in treating colds caused by viruses.

Medications have different effects depending on the length of your pregnancy, so you should consult your doctor about any medications you are taking.

Symptoms of colds during pregnancy

The most common symptoms of a cold are:

• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion

• Fever (either high or low)
• Headache
• Fatigue

If symptoms worsen, talk to your doctor. As long as there are no complications, you should not take any medicine.

What can you do and how can you relieve your symptoms?

When you have a cold during pregnancy, there are some things you can do to feel better.

• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, to avoid dehydration. Natural juices without added sugar are also a good option. The best juices are those of fruits that contain vitamin C. We also recommend vegetable soup.
• Rest and take it easy. A pregnant woman needs to listen to her body. If you feel the need to rest, do so. It also helps to avoid stress or emotional strain.
• Inhale steam. This is used to relieve nasal congestion. The easiest way is to turn on hot water in the shower and wait until the bathroom is full of steam. Then you can sit in the bathroom with the door closed for 10 minutes.
  Another way to do this is to pour hot water into a bowl and add 3 or 4 drops of eucalyptus oil. Then cover the bowl with a towel so that the steam does not dissipate but stays. Then stick your head under the towel and inhale the steam.

• Saline solutions. There are sprays to inject into your nose and solutions to rinse your nose with to reduce nasal congestion. Salt water sold at the pharmacy can also work well.
• Hot Drinks. Warm lemon water with honey helps relieve the pain in your throat.
• Gargle with salt water. This fights throat infections.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing. It is recommended that you do not wear too much clothing as it can lead to an increase in body temperature.
• Ljumma bad. This is a safe way to lower the fever.
  
  

How to prevent colds during pregnancy

Because colds can be very annoying during pregnancy, especially since you can not take any particularly effective medications, the best thing you can do is prevent them. The best way to do this is to follow these tips:

• Eat a healthy diet. A balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is essential. You should eat foods with nutrients that strengthen your immune system.
• Water. Drinking a lot helps you cleanse your body of impurities that prevent it from functioning properly. We recommend that you avoid sweet drinks and caffeinated beverages.
• Train. It activates your circulation and strengthens your immune system.
• Wash your hands often. This avoids the spread of viruses and bacteria.

Do I need to go to the doctor?

Colds during pregnancy do not usually affect the baby. Because the woman often does not feel very well, she can imagine that she does. However, all pregnant women should be aware of changes in the body.

If the fever is higher than 39º, it may indicate that you have a respiratory infection. In that case, your doctor will decide what type of antibiotic you should take. You should also be aware of if you faint, feel dizzy or have any other symptoms that may indicate a more serious problem.