colds n pregnancy

Pamela - posted on 03/25/2009

Years ago, when I was rearing my children I used nothing but homeopathic remedies, actually that is still true...no over the counter anything for me and I am nearly 64. There were companies that made Cell salts for all kinds of illnesses. There were also the Bach Flower Remedies, again for all sorts of emotional illnesses. As I am not living in America, and as I haven't seen those products in a long time, I do the simplest thing. When I feel a cold or illness coming on. I immediately mega dose with Vit C (as it does not stay in the body and builds anti-bodies in your immune system) and I gargle with Listerine (for 1 full minute - stopping for several breaths in between and counting the seconds as one thousand one, etc). You will be surprised what comes out of your throat (where many germs enter the body) if you actually gargle full on for one minute. Good luck and stay weel. BTW all of the juice, fluids and rest advice work wonders as well! Take care of your body and it will take care of you.

Sue - posted on 03/25/2009

Someone wrote some good advice about this on my wall.  Go see...........

Sue - posted on 03/24/2009

I have never been able to get a definative answer as to what can be taken when pregnant.  I think they want to err on the side of caution but you would think the medical community would feel an obligation to know this.   You could not go wrong with fresh carrot, garlic, apple or other juices.   They can be anti viral, fungal and bacterial.  The problem is feeling well enough to juice.  One bag of carrots only takes about 5 minutes from getting out the veggies to finishing cleaning up.  I wouldn't think that any regular food like this would harm baby  (and it is a baby)  unless taken in excess.    Hope you feel better.

Heidi - posted on 03/24/2009

I didn't have the 'flu, but I did have a wicked cold that was so bad I cracked a rib from coughing. In general, most cold medicines are not safe. You MUST steer clear of anything that has Ibuprofin in it for pain relief. Sudafed is one of those things that some people say no and some say it is ok. My doctor felt that as long as you aren't taking it in mass quantities throughout the pregnancy, then you are fine. I took Mucinex D (NOT the DM version, only the D) It has something in it that starts with a g, guaifenesin or something like that, along with Sudafed. guaifenesin is safe in pregnancy.



My doctor also said no extra vitamins or herbs...

Melissa - posted on 03/24/2009

I always thought no medicine was safe to take while pregnant but that is not true. Some people are old fashioned and want women to abstain from taking anything. There are guidelines for doctors to follow though on what can reasonably be given to a pregnant woman. My OB gave me a list of OTC medicines that were safe and I have been prescribed different things throughout the pregnancy for nausea and acid reflux. As for the flu I am not sure as I never caught it--I got vaccinated and was lucky it worked. I would suggest calling your OB. People are correct in saying you cannot give yourself extra vitamin supplements (on top of your prenatals) or herbs without talking to your doctor first.

Janeanne - posted on 03/24/2009

If you can stand the acid Orange juice helps too

Alicia - posted on 03/24/2009

if you go to the vitamen shop they have this stuff called umka its spelled a little diffrently but it really helps!

Jessie - posted on 03/24/2009

Make a steam with a drop of eucalyptus oil to inhale, it it really good for clearing your sinuses and chest congestion. Also a saline nasal mist is really helpful and use a natural cough drop such as Ricola. Keep taking your vitamins and you might want to add some extra vitamin C and of course drink tons of water. Feel better!

Jackie - posted on 03/24/2009

Also herbal doesn't mean safe!!! Herbal can be just as bad as perscriptions. If you find out Vicks is safe.. there is an old wives tail of putting vicks on your FEET and covering them with socks. It works for children too.

Jackie - posted on 03/24/2009

Call your pharmacy they have a giant book for nursing/pregnant mothers they can tell you what you can truely take safely. Remember stuff like Halls has medications in it. Just because its over the counter doesn't make it safe to use.

Jenny - posted on 03/24/2009

Hey.....when i was pregnant both times with with my kids my doctor told me that i could take sudafed! (i dont think i spelled it right sorry lol) I would ask your doctor but i got a really bad cold and thats what i had to take...i would also use vicks vapor rub and take hot showers! hope this helps!! ;o)

Bonnie - posted on 03/24/2009

Kate make sure you see your ob-gyn. I was very sick during my pregnancy. I had been on three rounds of antibiotics, and my primary care did not want to give me more medicine. I ended up so sick that I had to be hospityalized to try and keep me from going into labor early. Unfortunately extra fluids, a cool mist humidifier, or a humidifier with the vicks vapor, the shower soothers, but used in the sink with a towel over your head so you can breath in the vapors. If orage juice or milk make you congested then stay away from it for a few days. If you are having trouble breathing due to being sick then see your doctor about getting an inhaler. A few suggestions I have for you to try. Good luck and feel better!

Nadia - posted on 03/24/2009

Hi Kate, You can't take anything; however you can try camomille with honey, it worked for me. Drink lots of fluids and plenty of rest! Good Luck!

Crystal - posted on 03/24/2009

call your ob-gyn cuz there are things that you can take. when i was prgnant i took lots of stuff that my ob-gyn said was save. I just can't remember any of it..its been alomost a year...hope you feel better..I know how much it sucks to be pregnant and sick.

User - posted on 03/24/2009

naw thank you guys.. i wanna get beta cos im going on holiday soon thanks for the help again ill try everything

and good luck to you guys to!! xx

Gemma - posted on 03/24/2009

Quoting Kate:

colds n pregnancy

hey guys im 27 weeks pregnant and i have just come down with a really bad case of the flu :( im soooooo sick and the pharmacist said i cannot take anything and that i have to just "suck it up" i was wondering if anyone out there has some natural remedies that helped them if they had a cold :) thankssssss

Hey, im 26 weeks, i also have been suffering with flu like symptoms for weeks, i find this may sound crazy but run the shower on really hot and sit in the bathroom and breath in the steam, obviously dont go in the shower as to hot for bump. Also Obas oil on a tissue under your pillow is good, i dont recommend inhaling vicks as it cause inflammation to the nasal passage which can actually make ou feel worse during the pregnancy. Drink lots of water and chew on wriiggleys air waves, or suck the halls with eucalyptus oil to help relieve the nasal congestion. Hope this helps and good luck with the rest of the pregnancy.

Gem x

Nicci - posted on 03/24/2009

I got a really bad case of the flu when I was 34 weeks pregnant and I went to the doctor and she said she couldnt give me anything. She said"IF ONLY YOU WERE LESS THEN 30 WEEKS" so i'm sure there is something out there.

If it is manageable try to do without anything and stick to the honey and lemon.Sorry I couldnt help anymore.Good luck hope you are feeling better soon.

Bev - posted on 03/24/2009

plenty of fresh juice,& fruit, honey lemon & hot water, keep warm but also make sure you get some fresh air.

User - posted on 03/24/2009

thank hun ill try it...it sucks soooooooo much :(

Jessica - posted on 03/24/2009

panadol, garlic tablets, washed down with a hot lemon and honey drink. Keep yourself warm and get as much rest as possible