Cough is a reflex reaction of the body and a symptom of many diseases. Initially, the function of the cough reaction is protective - to remove pathogenic microorganisms with sputum.

Typically, the cough reflex occurs as a result of irritation of nerve endings, the so-called cough receptors, in the respiratory tract. The cough can be rare and frequent, dry and wet, constant and periodic, painful and painless, strong and weak.

During pregnancy, cough is usually caused by either acute respiratory infections (ARVI, acute respiratory infections) or the presence of chronic diseases (for example, bronchial asthma, ENT pathology, etc.). Typical conditions for pregnancy that provoke cough are various allergic reactions, the susceptibility to which in expectant mothers increases due to the peculiarities of the functioning of the immune system, toxicosis (in the first trimester) and heartburn, which often occurs in late pregnancy. In more rare cases, the causes of cough in pregnant women are neurogenic (psychogenic) reactions, diseases of the middle ear, gastrointestinal tract (it also has cough receptors), cardiovascular system (due to swelling of the respiratory tract mucosa in heart failure), thyroid gland (usually due to mechanical compression).

How to treat cough in pregnant women?

It should be noted right away that the treatment of cough is aimed at eliminating this symptom, that is, symptomatic. This approach is certainly not the most effective. The most effective way to get rid of a cough is to eliminate its cause, of course, if possible. Thus, in case of infectious-inflammatory processes it is necessary to fight the infection, in case of allergies - to look for and eliminate the allergen, in the presence of chronic diseases - to treat them, trying to achieve normalization of the condition.

Agree, it often happens that, having caught a cold and contracting a virus, we do not run to the doctor, but use the usual methods that have been tested in practice. However, self-medication during pregnancy should be excluded: a doctor should prescribe any therapy. Many medications are prohibited for use in pregnant women, and there are many medications that cannot be taken together due to the high risk of various drug complications, and this also applies to seemingly harmless herbal remedies. In addition, it is necessary to first establish the cause of the cough, that is, make the correct diagnosis, on which treatment will depend.

In pregnant women (as well as in everyone else), cough is most often a symptom of a cold. Expectant mothers experience a natural decrease in immunity (this is how nature takes care of preserving pregnancy), resulting in an increased vulnerability to various infectious diseases, especially during the season of colds, acute respiratory viral infections, and acute respiratory infections.

The most vulnerable and dangerous is the first trimester of pregnancy, when, against the background of a natural decrease in immunity, all the child’s organ systems are formed, which imposes very strict restrictions on the use of many medications during this period. In the second and third trimester, after the formation of the placenta, the baby is protected much better, and although there are many drug restrictions, they are not as strict as at the beginning of pregnancy. Thus, the treatment of cough at different stages of pregnancy is different, but some methods are effective and safe in all trimesters.

When coughing, it is recommended that the air in the room be cool and not dry (humidity 50–70%): cool air promotes reflex deepening and slowing of breathing, which makes breathing more efficient, and sufficiently humidified air helps to moisturize mucous membranes, reduce the amount of viscous mucus, and thin sputum, which is one of the causes of cough. Therefore, during the heating season, when the air in apartments is very dry, you cannot do without ventilation and the use of humidifiers (or other methods of humidification). In addition, the air must be clean, for which you need to regularly do wet cleaning and use air purifiers.

There is an opinion that some familiar dishes have a positive effect on coughs: for example, mashed potatoes prepared with the addition of milk help relieve cough. It should also be taken into account that the digestion process is very energy-intensive. Therefore, to save the body’s energy to fight infections (and a signal for this is poor appetite), you should choose foods that are easy to digest, low-calorie, rich in vitamins and minerals: fruits, vegetables, dairy products, compotes, jelly, juices. In order to avoid additional irritation of the mucous membranes and provocation of cough, it is advisable to exclude from your menu very sour, spicy, salty foods and, of course, foods that cause allergic reactions.

When coughing during pregnancy, you need to drink a lot (if there are no contraindications, and the doctor has not recommended that you limit fluid): drinks should be warm, non-allergenic, pleasant for you (teas, fruit drinks, compotes, jelly, still mineral water). Why is this so important? The fact is that such a drinking regime helps to moisturize the mucous membranes, pathogenic agents and viscous mucus are mechanically washed away (gargles are also used for the same purpose), and toxins formed during infectious and inflammatory processes are removed from the body.

Treatment of cough during pregnancy: inhalation and gargling

One of the fairly effective and safe methods of treating cough during pregnancy is inhalation. They can be carried out at any stage of pregnancy either with the help of special devices - nebulizers (their fine spraying facilitates the penetration of the medicinal substance into the lower sections of the respiratory tract), or without special devices, in the old fashioned way, breathing over potatoes, or decoctions of herbs that have an anti-inflammatory effect. It must be remembered that hot steam can burn the upper respiratory tract, so both potatoes and herbal decoctions should be allowed to cool a little, and only then begin the procedure. At elevated body temperatures, hot inhalations are prohibited; cold inhalations and aromatherapy can be used (if there is no allergy to essential oils).

Gargling moisturizes the mucous membranes, removes viscous mucus and pathogens from their surface. For rinsing, it is recommended to use warm decoctions and infusions of herbs (chamomile, linden, rose hips, etc.), water with the addition of soda (soda helps to liquefy and remove mucus), antiseptic solutions (furacilin, miramistin), which have antibacterial and antiviral effects.

Treatment of cough during pregnancy: physiotherapeutic procedures

Most often, for coughs caused by colds, infectious and inflammatory diseases, the following types of physiotherapeutic procedures are used: inhalations, ultraviolet irradiation, UHF therapy, electrophoresis, chest massage.

For coughs in pregnant women, inhalations are most often used.

UHF, like other electro- and heat treatment procedures, is relatively contraindicated during pregnancy, and cannot be performed at all at elevated temperatures.

Since the technique of drainage massage, which helps remove phlegm from the bronchi, includes vibrations, this procedure is not recommended for pregnant women.

Electrophoresis with magnesium is quite widely used when there is a threat of miscarriage, however, this method, but with other components, is useful for coughs: in the case of a wet cough, calcium chloride is used, and in the case of a dry cough, calcium iodide is used.

Ultraviolet irradiation (UVR) has a powerful bactericidal effect. Local use of ultraviolet radiation for infectious and inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract in pregnant women is permitted and can be used as an auxiliary method of treatment for cough.

Medicines to treat cough during pregnancy

Many medications are prohibited for use in pregnant women, and even more medications whose effects in pregnant women have not been studied or have not been studied enough. However, in a number of situations, the use of medications cannot be avoided (for example, the prescription of antibiotics for pneumonia or severe bacterial bronchitis is mandatory), and only a doctor can choose a drug that is most effective and safe during pregnancy.

All cough medications can be divided into two groups: antitussives and expectorants, and the simultaneous use of drugs from different groups is unacceptable. Antitussives act on cough receptors (peripheral action) or on the cough center (central action). Expectorant drugs, in turn, are divided into three subgroups: the first of them increases the amount of mucus (baking soda, potassium and sodium iodides), the second, through irritation of the nerve endings in the stomach, activates the cough and vomiting centers in the brain (most herbal remedies: mother -and-stepmother, wild rosemary, thermopsis grass, etc.) and the third subgroup - mucolytics - substances that dilute sputum and promote its elimination (drugs ambroxol, bromhexine hydrochloride, acetylcysteine).

If the attending physician has decided to prescribe you medications, you should not refuse to take them for fear of harming the baby: firstly, if the doctor prescribes medications for you, then it means that in this case you cannot do without them, and secondly, the doctor chooses the most safe means during pregnancy, and thirdly, the disease itself that caused the cough and its complications can be much more dangerous for you and the child than prescribed medications.

Herbal medicine for the treatment of cough in pregnant women

It is important to remember that a number of herbal remedies are contraindicated for pregnant women. Thus, a common cough remedy made from licorice or licorice should not be taken by expectant mothers due to the pronounced effect on water-salt metabolism and the high probability of hormonal imbalance. Aloe, raspberry leaves, barberry, thermopsis grass, elecampane, tansy, hyssop (as well as preparations based on them) can increase the tone of the myometrium (muscle layer of the uterus), cause uterine contractions and provoke miscarriage or premature birth. Plantain, tansy, rhubarb, string, calamus and pine buds have had an adverse effect on the fetus; Thyme and sage can provoke uterine bleeding. Unfortunately, all possible adverse effects of herbal medicine, the interaction of various components of herbal preparations, as well as medicinal plants with various medications have not yet been fully studied. Therefore, the use of any herbal preparation during pregnancy should be approached with caution.

For colds and coughs during pregnancy, linden flowers, lingonberry berries and leaves, blackberries, blueberries, blueberries, chamomile, yarrow, rose hips, birch leaves, and viburnum are allowed. Most of these herbal remedies have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Marshmallow flowers and root help thin and remove mucus, but it is preferable to refrain from using them in the first trimester.

Traditional medicine for the treatment of cough in pregnant women

A number of traditional medicines have proven their effectiveness for coughs. These well-known methods can also be used during pregnancy: radish or onion with honey (in the absence of an allergic reaction to honey), figs with milk, Borjomi mineral water.

Precautionary measures

When treating cough in pregnant women, it is not recommended to use general thermal procedures (hot baths) and thermal procedures on the legs (hot foot baths, applying mustard plasters, etc. are prohibited), since they cause a pronounced blood flow to the pelvic organs and can provoke serious uterine bleeding. It is not recommended for expectant mothers to have mustard plasters or cupping (the latter, previously very popular method of treatment is considered by experts to be inappropriate and even harmful due to injury and hemorrhages of the pleural membrane (it covers the surface of the lungs). At elevated temperatures, any thermal procedures are also prohibited, in addition, Any physiotherapy treatment is not recommended.

Why is a cough dangerous during pregnancy?

A seemingly harmless cough reaction can be quite dangerous for the expectant mother and baby. With a strong, often dry and constant cough, tension in the abdominal wall occurs, and pressure in the chest and abdominal cavities increases. This can lead to a reflexive, involuntary increase in tone and contraction of the muscular layer of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy (especially if there is a threat of miscarriage) and premature birth in later stages.

In addition, with frequent, constant coughing, fetal hypoxia may develop (impaired oxygen supply to the baby), which leads to a delay in intrauterine development.

In the presence of predisposing factors (previa or low position of the placenta), cough can provoke uterine bleeding.

A strong cough in a pregnant woman increases blood pressure.

Pregnancy is a wonderful time, which does not always go smoothly. Very often, due to reduced immunity, pregnant women become carriers of a viral infection. And one of the symptoms of the disease, as a rule, is a cough, which is very difficult to cope with. Along with it, there is usually pain and sore throat, which causes the patient a lot of discomfort.

What could he be like?

Cough during pregnancy always causes a lot of discomfort for the sick woman and her unborn child. During pregnancy, this symptom can manifest itself in different ways. The most common types of cough during pregnancy:

If we talk about the time of manifestation of a cough, then it, like a sore throat, can occur at night and during the day. Of course, when a person is sleeping, this symptom is much more difficult to bear.

Causes

Many people think that cough occurs only due to infections. However, there are other factors to this. These include the following reasons:

• smoking;
• allergy;
• stomach upsets;
• hypothermia;
• stress;
• reflux.

It is not always possible to determine the cause of a cough on your own. Sometimes this requires a comprehensive examination and examination by a specialist. During pregnancy, any disease needs to be treated by a doctor.

In women during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, the susceptibility to an allergic reaction increases. All this happens because the concentration of waste products of fetal cells increases. Because of this, not only an allergic reaction can develop, but also toxicosis, which is typical for the first trimester.

If a woman smokes during pregnancy, she will certainly develop a symptom such as cough. Treatment for this symptom of the disease is to give up the bad habit. After all, because of it, not only a cough appears, but also complications arise during the development of the child. In medical language, this symptom is called nicotine poisoning, which increases the risk of miscarriage by 10 times.

As a rule, most often a cough, wet or dry, is a sign of a viral disease that needs to be comprehensively treated. Because exactly how a symptom manifests itself, the factor of its occurrence also depends.

However, sometimes an allergic cough appears during pregnancy, occurring with other symptoms of the disease. It is worth noting that this type of symptom may be a sign of the following diagnoses: bronchial asthma, tracheitis, bronchitis.

Many women rule out this disease because they were not allergic before pregnancy. However, this does not affect its development at all, and many diagnoses are first heard by expectant mothers during pregnancy.

But it is worth remembering that this symptom, while expecting a child, primarily appears due to decreased immunity. And probably every pregnant woman has encountered not only a cough, but also a sore throat.

Complications

As mentioned above, coughing can cause consequences and risks. The most common complications include the following:

• miscarriage;
• fetal hypoxia;
• bleeding;
• increased uterine tone;
• development of pathologies.

The first trimester is very important in the development of the child, because the neural tube and spine are formed.
But it is at this time that the mother becomes more sensitive to the environment, and therefore an allergic reaction may develop - which is the cause of the cough. As a result, all medications are practically contraindicated for pregnant women.

It is worth noting that cough is dangerous in any trimester of pregnancy. And at every stage it threatens with its own complications. But it is especially scary before 10 weeks. After this period, it is dangerous for a woman to develop bronchitis and pneumonia.

Important! In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s immunity decreases, but if this does not happen, her body may reject the fetus, which is still foreign to it.

It is necessary to treat a cough in any case, regardless of the time and causes of its occurrence. This is how you can protect and protect your fetus.

In order for the consequences of a cough to be only favorable after its appearance, it is necessary to consult a doctor and begin timely treatment. If you do not have allergies, you can suck honey throughout the day, which will soften your throat and change your cough from dry to wet.

Cough is a symptom that accompanies many respiratory diseases. Among expectant mothers, this symptom occurs quite often, becoming a cause of serious concern. Why does cough occur during pregnancy?

Causes of cough

Coughing is a reflex process aimed at clearing the respiratory tract of accumulated mucus and various foreign substances. Periodic coughing, which does not cause concern, occurs in all people. This condition occurs when dust and other elements enter the nasopharynx that interfere with normal breathing. In such a situation, the cough is physiological and does not require any treatment.

It’s a completely different matter if the cough continues for a long time and brings significant discomfort. Often this symptom is accompanied by a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat and a rise in body temperature. In this case, a cough indicates the development of one of the respiratory tract diseases:

• Pharyngitis. Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx is accompanied by sore throat and sore throat. Often these symptoms are accompanied by a dry and rather painful cough. Body temperature remains within normal limits or rises no more than 38° C. It is often combined with acute tonsillitis (tonsillitis). The cause of pharyngitis can be acute respiratory diseases, influenza, measles, scarlet fever and other infections.
• Laryngitis. Inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa is usually associated with various infectious diseases (whooping cough, measles, scarlet fever). Hypothermia and dusty air also contribute to the development of laryngitis. With this disease, severe hoarseness of the voice is noted, up to its complete loss. The cough with laryngitis is dry, barking and very painful. Often there is pain when swallowing and a feeling of lack of air. As the disease progresses, the cough turns from dry to wet, and viscous sputum appears. Body temperature usually does not exceed 38°C.
• Tracheitis. Tracheal disease is characterized by the appearance of a dry cough that worsens at night, as well as with deep inspiration. Tracheitis is also characterized by pain in the throat and behind the sternum. Body temperature usually remains within 38° C. Tracheitis is often combined with laryngitis or bronchitis.
• Bronchitis. When the bronchi are involved in the inflammatory process, the cough changes from dry to wet, accompanied by the release of a large amount of viscous sputum. The cough gets worse at night and when the body is in a horizontal position. Fever with bronchitis rarely lasts more than 5 days, but a painful cough can persist for weeks. In some women, prolonged bronchitis can lead to the development of bronchial asthma.
• Pneumonia. Pneumonia is the most severe complication that occurs with respiratory diseases. Typical pneumonia is characterized by a significant increase in body temperature up to 40° C, chills, and headaches. The cough with pneumonia is severe, with copious discharge of purulent sputum. In some cases, chest pain occurs in the projection of the lungs. This type of pneumonia is caused by streptococci, Klebsiella, Haemophilus influenzae and some other microorganisms.

Atypical pneumonia caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma, begins gradually, with a predominance of secondary symptoms: sore throat and muscles, weakness and general malaise. The cough in atypical pneumonia is dry and unproductive. On an x-ray, the changes are so insignificant that they are not always detectable the first time.

Special mention should be made about lobar pneumonia. The causative agent of the disease is pneumococcus. With this pathology, body temperature rises to 40° C, chills and other signs of intoxication appear. On the third day of illness, a wet cough with characteristic rusty sputum appears. Severe stabbing pain in the chest on the side of the affected lung is typical. Symptoms of the disease with lobar pneumonia last up to 10 days.

Diagnosis of the cause of cough

If a cough, sore throat or other signs of illness appear, the expectant mother should consult a doctor. In most cases, the diagnosis in pregnant women is made based on examination. Also, the doctor must listen to the bronchi and lungs for various wheezing. After an examination, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment that is safe during pregnancy.

If bronchitis or pneumonia is suspected, a general examination is often prescribed, including blood and urine tests. If necessary, sputum is collected to determine the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to antibiotics. X-ray examination during pregnancy is carried out only for health reasons.

What are the dangers of coughing during pregnancy?

Cough as a sign of a cold can occur at any stage of pregnancy. This symptom is a manifestation of a viral or bacterial infection, which means it can pose a serious threat to the fetus. In the first trimester, infectious diseases can cause the formation of congenital malformations of varying severity. The death of the embryo in the early stages of its development and spontaneous miscarriage cannot be ruled out.

A severe cough in itself can cause increasing uterine tone. In women with a low-lying placenta, constant tension in the abdominal muscles can lead to termination of pregnancy at any stage. Also, uterine hypertonicity inevitably affects the condition of the fetus. Constant spasm of blood vessels leads to insufficient supply of nutrients to the child and the development of hypoxia. In the future, this can lead to various health problems, especially from the nervous system.

A constant cough in the first trimester of pregnancy worsens the condition of the expectant mother, if any. Irritation of the pharynx due to phlegm increases nausea and vomiting, and also decreases appetite. All this leads to the fact that a woman begins to eat worse. Often, against the background of colds and toxicosis, significant loss of body weight occurs, which adversely affects the course of pregnancy.

Illness that occurs immediately before childbirth may cause infection in the newborn. The severe condition of the mother during illness may prevent her from feeding her newborn with breast milk. All these factors adversely affect the child’s condition and provoke the development of various diseases.

Treatment of cough in the 1st trimester of pregnancy

From the moment of conception to 12 weeks, all the important organs of the child are formed. At this time, doctors do not prescribe medications to expectant mothers that can have a negative effect on the development of the embryo. In the first trimester, any medications are used according to strict indications and only if their use cannot be avoided.

To relieve cough and sore throat in the early stages of gestation, some antiseptic sprays (for example, Tantum Verde) are approved for use. These drugs destroy microorganisms that have settled on the mucous membrane of the pharynx and tonsils, and thereby contribute to the disappearance of cough. To irrigate the throat, you can also use various solutions that have an antibacterial effect (for example, Miramistin).

In the first trimester, broad-spectrum antiseptics are actively used to treat respiratory tract infections. Among the most popular drugs, “Lizobakt” and “Laripront” should be highlighted. These products are approved for use at any stage of pregnancy.

When a wet cough occurs, medications that improve sputum removal are prescribed. In the first trimester, Mukaltin and licorice root syrup are allowed for use. To facilitate coughing, it is also recommended to drink plenty of warm, but not hot drinks (fruit drinks, compotes, tea with honey and lemon).

Relieve the condition If you cough during pregnancy, humidifying the air will help. The best way is to install a special humidifier and adjust it to the desired power. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can use improvised means in the form of wet sheets. Frequent wet cleaning and constant ventilation of the room also speed up the healing process.

Many women in the first trimester refuse to use any medications, preferring traditional methods of treatment. It is worth considering that not all herbs are safe for expectant mothers. Before using any herbal remedies, it makes sense to consult a doctor.

To alleviate the condition of a dry, painful cough, you can do inhalations with medicinal herbs. Sage, chamomile, plantain and linden flowers are the best to help cope with the disease. For inhalation it is good to use a nebulizer. This device helps the herbs penetrate the bronchi and lungs, thereby speeding up recovery. Inhalations can be done only in the absence of fever. Breathing hot steam during pregnancy is prohibited!

When a wet cough occurs, other herbs are used for treatment. Now inhalations can be done with string, wild rosemary, eucalyptus and yarrow. It should be remembered that some medicinal herbs can cause an allergic reaction. If a skin rash or severe sneezing occurs, stop treatment and consult a doctor.

Treatment of cough in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

After 14 weeks of pregnancy, the list of drugs approved for use expands significantly. For coughs accompanied by sore throat and sore throat, antiseptic sprays (Hexoral or Tantum Verde) are prescribed. To alleviate the condition, you can also use lozenges (Strepsils or Faringosept).

If a dry cough occurs, medications that reduce the cough reflex are used. During pregnancy, such drugs are used quite rarely and only if there are serious indications. If a wet cough develops, mucolytics are used - drugs that activate the release of mucus from the respiratory tract.

Cough medications allowed in the second half of pregnancy:

• "Mukaltin";
• "Stodal";
• "Stoptussin";
• "Sinecode";
• "Doctor Theiss";
• "Bromhexine";
• "Libexin";
• "Doctor Mom";
• "Gerbion";
• "Gedelix".

Starting at 16 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat cough. The choice of drug and its dosage depend on the type of pathogen identified. The course of therapy is usually no more than a week. In the first weeks of pregnancy, antibiotics are prescribed only for health reasons.

Treatment of cough in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

After 24 weeks, treatment of cough in expectant mothers also includes the prescription of drugs that suppress the cough reflex or facilitate the discharge of sputum. The list of medications remains the same. In the third trimester of pregnancy, it is possible to use herbal remedies for gargling and inhalation. Breathing in steam and taking foot baths are still not recommended.

Cough in expectant mothers is often accompanied by fever. In the third trimester, women should be especially careful when using antipyretic drugs. Popular paracetamol and ibuprofen in the third trimester can cause the baby to be born prematurely. You can take anti-inflammatory drugs only when your body temperature rises above 38° C. The course of treatment with antipyretic drugs should not exceed three days. If the temperature does not subside, you should consult a doctor.

Do not forget that in rare cases, cough in expectant mothers can be caused by diseases of the stomach, heart and thyroid gland. Only a doctor can recognize these diseases after a thorough examination. That is why, when a cough occurs, pregnant women should see a doctor or call a specialist to their home. Timely diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases will help avoid complications during pregnancy.

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During the period of bearing a child, a woman is more careful and responsible about her health, since her condition affects the development of the baby. Even a common cold can cause anxiety and panic. There is every reason for this.

What to do if you get sick?

The first trimester of pregnancy is especially dangerous: a woman may be completely unaware of her situation and take medications that have a negative effect on the fetus. When the first symptoms of the disease appear, such as runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, you should immediately consult a doctor. Self-medication during this period and subsequent trimesters can adversely affect the health of the mother and fetus and cause complications during childbirth. The first remedy in the fight against a cold is a warm drink. Compotes, weak tea, still water, milk with a little honey, rose hips - pregnant women can drink all this when they have a cold.

The amount of fluid consumed should be controlled in the second and third trimester to avoid swelling. It is not safe to carry the virus on your feet while at work. Be sure to take sick leave for this period. Ventilate the room and humidify the air more often. Do not forget about proper sleep, as it contributes to a speedy recovery.

Can medications be used?

Most cold medications are contraindicated during pregnancy. It is strictly forbidden to take the following medications:

• antibiotics;
• antipyretics;
• immunomodulators;
• alcohol tinctures;
• vasoconstrictor nasal drops;
• vitamins.

The use of these medications can cause serious pathologies of the fetus, create a threat of miscarriage and cause complications during childbirth. Antibiotics are not prescribed for ARVI. These drugs are used for complications of the disease when the body cannot cope with the infection on its own. Only a doctor prescribes an antibacterial drug depending on the location of the infection.

Treatment with antipyretics should be done very carefully. The fact that acetylsalicylic acid causes bleeding during colds is a myth. ) and ibuprofen are the safest drugs in the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are prescribed in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. But taking these drugs in the last trimester can negatively affect the condition of the fetus. If it rises to 38 °C, then paracetamol or acetaminophen is considered one of the safest remedies in any trimester. Numerous studies of this drug have not revealed any harmful effects on the fetus or birth outcome.

While antipyretics can be selected during early pregnancy, the situation is different with immunomodulators. Their effects on the immune system of mother and child are not fully understood, and the incorrect selection of such drugs can cause autoimmune and sometimes cancer.

When a woman has a cold during pregnancy, you should not use alcohol-containing tinctures. Alcohol has a negative effect on the baby's intrauterine development.

Nasal vasoconstrictors are also contraindicated because they negatively affect the functioning of the fetal cardiovascular system.

All kinds of vitamin complexes are prescribed exclusively by a gynecologist. These drugs can cause hypervitaminosis or oversaturation of the body with vitamins.

Traditional treatment

A pregnant woman should be very careful about numerous folk remedies for colds, as they provoke various pathologies. For example, during pregnancy it is contraindicated to drink tea with mint or lemon balm if you have a cold without fever, since these herbs thin the blood.

The benefits of miraculous properties during pregnancy have not yet been proven, so you should not use medications based on these medicinal herbs on your own.

Treatment with folk remedies must be agreed upon with the attending physician.

Despite this, there are harmless traditional medicine recipes that promote a speedy recovery when a woman falls ill during pregnancy.

Help for a sore throat

Gargling is the most harmless method of treatment if your throat hurts during pregnancy. As soon as you feel a sore throat or sore throat, you can use this type of therapy. The well-known rinse recipe is the proportions of 1 tbsp. l sea or table salt per glass of water. It is also recommended to use furatsilin (1 tablet per glass of warm water) and soda solution (1 tsp per glass of water) for rinsing. Prepare a solution of 10 drops of calendula tincture and 200 ml of warm water.

If, inhalation procedures are used. Chamomile or sage are often used for this. Inhaling essential oils makes breathing easier and reduces sore throat. Avoid herbal inhalations if you are allergic to medicinal herbs. In this case, use grandma’s old recipe - breathe over the boiled potatoes, covered with a towel. It is better to perform the procedure before bedtime. Treatment for influenza during pregnancy includes inhaling fumes from cut onions or garlic. This is one of the proven folk recipes that is still very popular.

Compresses are another remedy for sore throat and cough during pregnancy. You can make a compress from chamomile. To do this, soak a towel in warm chamomile infusion and apply it to your throat. Next option: cottage cheese at room temperature is spread on cheesecloth and covered with cling film and a towel on top. If the pregnant woman can stand the smell, you can try making a compress of grated onion and honey. This mixture is spread on a cabbage leaf and covered with a towel on top.

How to lower the temperature?

A rise in temperature is an alarming symptom for many mothers. Warm drinks are the first thing to take when you have a cold with fever. Green tea and dried fruit compotes are suitable. Raspberry tea is an excellent antipyretic, but it is best taken in moderate doses.

But it is better not to drink tea made from raspberry leaves until the birth itself, as it helps to relax the muscles of the birth canal. Linden tea is an excellent remedy for fever, but you shouldn’t get too carried away with it either. Long-term consumption of linden tea can lead to increased heart rate and kidney dysfunction.

When accompanied by chills, wear warm socks and cover yourself with a warm blanket. Rubbing with water or diluted vinegar is used in extreme heat.

Often accompanied by headache. The “Star” balm will help eliminate headaches during pregnancy. With the help of this remedy and self-massage of certain points, the painful sensations will disappear. Using circular movements, alternately massage the temporal points at the end of the eyebrows, at the base of the eyebrows, the wings of the nose and in the pits behind the ears. If the temperature is high, avoid massage. A cool compress will help reduce the fever a little and relieve headaches.

How to get rid of a runny nose?

Pregnant women with a runny nose are recommended to rinse their nose with chamomile decoction. In addition, a runny nose during pregnancy is treated with inhalations using essential oils or eucalyptus decoction. Inhalation with Borjomi using a nebulizer will help relieve nasal congestion. Instead of nasal drops, the nose is instilled with carrot or beet juice.

In the first days of illness, you can massage certain areas. With both hands, press on the depressions near the wings of the nose, under the nose and finally massage the tip of the nose. Stimulate the points between the thumb and index finger, at the base of the palm, at the base of the neck and below the knee - they also relieve runny nose and strengthen the immune system.

An experienced doctor will always tell you what to do with a runny nose during pregnancy to avoid complications. Before using folk remedies, consult your doctor. He will recommend what medications pregnant women can take for colds. But what a pregnant woman absolutely cannot do when she has a cold is visit the sauna and steam her feet.

Disease prevention

Expectant mothers need to be sure to prevent colds, especially in the autumn-winter period. You can prevent the onset of the disease by following these rules:

1. If possible, limit visiting crowded places during the height of the infection.
2. Use gauze dressings and change them regularly.
3. Before going outside, lubricate your nasal passages with oxolinic ointment.
4. After visiting public places, gargle and rinse your nose with saline or saline solution.
5. Walk outdoors more often.
6. Ventilate and moisten your home regularly.
7. Eat vegetables and fruits daily.

If you do happen to get sick, stay calm and don’t panic. Contact your doctor in a timely manner, who will tell you what to do if you have a cold during pregnancy. Follow the doctor's instructions and believe in a speedy recovery. Remember that your condition depends entirely on your inner mood.