Coughs and Colds in Pregnancy

[Otrere]

I am nearly 17 weeks pregnant and have developed a real dry hacking cough that is keeping me awake half the night (I was up between about 1am and 3.30am last night) sinuses are blocked, headache, etc. and I am exhausted.

I also have a beautiful yet energetic 3-year-old, which isn't helping matters - partly why I am exhausted.

Is there anything I can do/take to ease the symptoms - more of the cough than anything?

[zara 4]

Up to 12 weeks is supposed to be the time not to take nothing as i remember,but as long as you check on the bottle you should be fine!If you're worried then check with your doc or midwife,but taking cough medicine should be just fine,

[tigilou]

When i was pregnant i was told i could only have paracetamol not even throat soothers, i would speak to a pharmasist to see what is availible for you to take. Hope you feel better soon

[PhilBy]

My nan was a big believer in honey & lemmon juice as a cough remedy.......... and it worked I hasten to add!

[PhilBy]

Just did a quick google and come up with the following:

You can make an excellent soothing natural cough remedy by mixing equal parts honey and lemon juice (fresh or Real Lemmon in the bottle). Take a tablespoonful every couple of hours to soothe the soreness.

If you also have a little congestion you can add some whiskey, gin or vodka with the above mixture - usually one part alcohol with two parts of the honey and lemon mixture. Keep your natural cough remedy in the refrigerator.

Hope it helps :-)

[Otrere]

Thanks - although not sure the alcohol would be allowed so much "in my condtion" :o)

Thanks anyway.

[Jennykins]

Awe thats a bummer to be sick when you have a baby in the tummy.. Well I would stay away from and dairy because it is flem producing...

I would take hot showers and just sit down and breath in the steam and clear your self out...

good luck my dear.. drink some tea.. (none caffine) and just tell your self it cant last...

GOOD LUCK !!! jen

[Lollyhoney]

Get a bowl of hot water and add a few dops of olbas oil, or a dollop of vaporub and inhale. Might help!!

[OBonio]

My wife had a really annoying cough during her pregnancy. She ended up on a steroid inhaler after going to the doctors. It helped a little, but not a lot. Saying that, I don't think she took it as prescribed out of fear for the baby....

If it's really getting you down, visit your GP. Don't forget a happy mum is a happy baby!

[Emma-J]

Hi Otrere, I am six and 1/2 months and had the same/similar thing you had about 3 weeks ago, after speaking to the chemist and checking all my books, I went with effervescent/soluble paracetamol as they enter and leave you system quicker than normal paracetamol. As for lozenges, Olbas oil etc there is nothing to say you can't have them they are all menthol, eucalyptus etc and contain no drugs so they won't affect baby.

Good luck
EJ

[Otrere]

Thanks guys - been to see the GP this morning and I don't have a chest infection. My sinuses are blocked and all I can do is take paracetamol and sit with my head over a bowl of hot water/steam to try and shift it. Ah well.

[Sparkles3]

My pharmacist told me that I could take linctus cough medicine but to avoid those that have honey. I ended up with a blackcurrant linctus which helped a little with soothing my throat during the night.

[OBonio]

Just a side note to say if it's keeping you and your partner awake at night, it's good practice for when the little one arrives ;o)

[Suzannew]

I had a shocker of a cold late into pregnancy with twins and wasn't sleeping, GP said I could take Nightnurse which has paracetemol in it, slept like a baby!