How do you treat a cold or the flu while you are pregnant? There are definitely differences in what you should and shouldn't do simply because you are pregnant.
KEEP HYDRATED
Dehyration is the enemy of all pregnant women, whether they have a cold or not. It is even easier to become dehyrated in the winter than the summer when you are pregnant. In the summer, we naturally turn to drink cool fluids which usually have higher volumes than the hot or warm fluids we like to drink in the winter. Also the heat from heating systems tends to draw fluid from our skin adding to any dehyration we might be experiencing.
Drink enough water to keep your urine a pale yellow -- just a hint of color. If your urine is dark at all, you are already dehyrated.
REST
When you are ill, your body needs rest. As pregnant woman, your metabolism has already increased. Your heart rate can increase by 10-20 beats per minutes, as a result of the increased vascular load of pregnancy. You will need more rest than usual when you are ill. Remember, your baby is depending upon you to get better.
BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
The best way to do this is to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. The more different colors in your diet, then generally the more healthful your diet will be. Include whole-grain breads and pastas and plenty of sources of protein.
SEEK HELP
If your condition becomes more severe, lasts more than a week, or you suspect you have developed a secondary infection, contact your health care provider.
WHAT CAN I DO TO FEEL BETTER?
Talk to your health care provider before taking any medications.
There are many over the counter medications that are safe for use in pregnancy, but there are also many which are not. Ask your health care provider what is safe for you to take. Some things which seem so harmless, such as aspirin or herbal remedies, can be dangerous for you or your baby during pregnancy. Many cold and cough remedies which contain antihistamines and decongestants may not be safe for use. It is always better to let your physician tell you what is safe in your case for you to take.
Tylenol is often approved to help with the aches and pains, but pregnant women should avoid Ibuprofen and Aspirin.
Many antibiotics are safe for use during pregnancy, but some are not. Any health care provider prescribing antibiotics for you needs to know that you are pregnant and needs to know how far along in your pregnancy you are. Of course, you should never take medication prescribed for someone else.
Try "old-fashioned" remedies that may actually work.
Try using saline nasal sprays. While you should never use medicated nasal sprays without the consent of your health care provider, saline nasal sprays can help quite a bit and are perfectly safe.
Gargle with warm salt water for a sore throat. Try this three times a day. The salt in the water helps to fight bacteria and the warmth of the water is soothing. Do not swallow the water.
Use peppermint tea to refresh your mouth.
Honey, lemon juice and a teaspoon of vinegar. Sipped while warm, this can often soothe a sore throat. While honey is safe for your while you are pregnant, do not feed it to your baby once you have delivered.
Vick's Vapor Rub applied to your chest can cause a comforting warmth and the aromatics wafting toward your face can help clear nasal passages. Do not apply the ointment directly to your nose, however.
Steam inhalation. Using a humidifier can help decrease nasal congestion and help you breathe easier.
HOW TO AVOID COLDS AND FLU
Wash your hands! Handwashing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infection. Wash your hands often. Use soap and water and plenty of friction. Count to thirty, or sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice to yourself while washing your hands. Once your hands are clean, use a towel or paper towel to turn off that faucet (remember, someone with dirty hands turned it on!)
Avoid infected persons. If you know someone who has the cold or the flu, stay away from them until they are symptom free. Use the baby as your excuse, but stay away from the germs!
Avoid crowds. The more people in an area, the more chances there will be people there who are sick.
Don't touch your face. Germs are often spread when you touch an infected surface and then touch your nose, mouth or eyes.
CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF:
- you have trouble breathing
- your symptoms don't improve or get worse after three to four days
- after feeling a little better, you develop signs of a more serious problem
Some signs of a more serious problem are nausea, vomiting, high fever, shaking chills, chest pain, or coughing with thick, yellow-green mucus.
