Treatments for a Cold or Flu During Pregnancy

Treatments for a Cold or Flu During Pregnancy

  Certain tried-and-true cold treatments can be trusted while pregnant:

• getting plenty of rest
• drinking a lot of fluids
• gargling with warm salt water for a sore throat or cough

A few home remedies include:

• Saline nasal drops and sprays for loosening nasal mucus and soothing inflamed nasal tissue.
• Breathing warm, humid air to help loosen congestion. Try using a facial steamer, a hot-mist vaporizer, or even a hot shower.
• Chicken soup helps relieve inflammation and soothe congestion.
• Adding honey or lemon to a warm cup of decaffeinated tea to help relieve a sore throat. Elevating your head to help you sleep better.

• Using hot and cold packs to alleviate sinus pain. 

 

What About Medications?

According to the University of Michigan Health System and most OB-GYNs, it's best to avoid all medications in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. That's a critical time for the development of your baby's vital organs. Many doctors also recommend caution after 28 weeks. Speak with your doctor before taking any medication if you’re pregnant, or trying to get pregnant.
Several medications are considered safe after 12 weeks of pregnancy. These include:

• Robitussin (dextromethorphan) and Robitussin DM cough syrups
• Vicks plain cough syrup
• Vicks or other menthol rub on your chest, temples, and under the nose
• Nasal strips (sticky pads that open congested airways)
• Hall's cough drops or Cepacol lozenges
• Tylenol (acetaminophen) for aches, pains, and fevers
• Cough suppressant at night
• Expectorant during the day
• Mylanta, Tums, or similar medications for heartburn, nausea, or upset stomach

Avoid "all-in-one" medications that combine ingredients to tackle many symptoms. Instead, choose single medications for the symptoms you're struggling with. You should also avoid the following medications while pregnant unless recommended by your doctor. These medications increase the risks for problems:

• ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others)
• codeine
• Bactrim (an antibiotic)
• naproxen (Aleve)
• aspirin

What Is Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of pregnancy. The embryo or fetus cannot live on its own outside the uterus that early in pregnancy. The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.
Many of us who experience miscarriage are not aware that it is fairly common. For every 10 pregnancies, 1 to 2 end in miscarriage. Miscarriage is most likely to happen early in pregnancy — in fact, 8 out of 10 miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy.

- See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/miscarriage#sthash.loTJcqI1.dpuf

What Is Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks of pregnancy. The embryo or fetus cannot live on its own outside the uterus that early in pregnancy. The medical term for miscarriage is spontaneous abortion.
Many of us who experience miscarriage are not aware that it is fairly common. For every 10 pregnancies, 1 to 2 end in miscarriage. Miscarriage is most likely to happen early in pregnancy — in fact, 8 out of 10 miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy.

- See more at: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/pregnancy/miscarriage#sthash.loTJcqI1.dpuf