Echinacea in pregnancy

[daffy654]

My daughter who is 30 weeks pregnant has a terrible cold at the moment,as she isn't allowed to take things like Lemsip and decongestants I was wondering if Echinacea is safe in pregnancy to help shorten the duration of her cold.I have googled for the information and most sites seem to think its safe but there are others that say it isn't.She can't contact her midwife and the hospital maternity unit told her they can't advise on this.Have any of the ladies on here ever used Echinacea whilst pregnant? If you have did it have any negative effects?
Thanks in advance.xx

[aims1202]

i'm not sure why she cant have lemsip? hasnt that got paracetemol in it? i was told by my doctor that paracetemol was ok in pregnancy if you really need it, i took it and was fine. i think it only aspirin and ibuprofen that you have to avoid.

[aims1202]

forgot to say that i used a nasal spray prescribed by my doctor
instead of decongestant as when i was pregnant i used to get really blocked sinus and it gave me headaches

[daffy654]

It says on the Lemsip packet that you shouldn't take it during pregnancy.All the decongestant tablets say the same. I will have to tell her to phone the doctor and get some advice.She won't be able to get an appointment for at least a week.

[aims1202]

i was advised by doc not to take decongestants. Maybe lemsip has something else in it as well as paracetemol, i dont know? but she could just take ordinary paracetemol to make her feel better until she can go to doc

[natalie_1982]

Don't take Lemsip! My boss' partner was pregnant and miscarried; their doctor asked her if she had had any Lemsip in the past few days as she was quite obviously suffering from a heavy cold. The doc suggested that the miscarriage could have been due to the decongestant. My midwife told me that paracetamol are ok to take.

Sorry, I didn't answer about echinacea! I'd be interested to know though as I have looked into it too, please post back when you find out!

[daffy654]

Thanks aims and natalie for your input. My daughter is still suffering horribly with her cold and has been taking paracetamol for the sinus pain but she is having real trouble breathing because of the nasal congestion.She is practically unable to eat as well so is feeling really sorry for herself. She has also developed a nasty cough just to add to her misery. I am going into our local healthfood shop in the morning to ask about the echinacea so i'll let you know what they advise.

[Psychick]

Does her doctors surgery not have an emergency number? She may not a doctor to come out at this stage but they could advise her what she can take that is safe.

Hope she feels better soon.

[daffy654]

Our doctor's surgery is one of those that have opted out of after hours care,they always advise you to go to the nearest all night drop in clinic which is in Blackpool (about 12 miles away) and is always full of drunks and junkies at night and weekends. I am going to get her to phone our practice nurse in the morning for advice.
I'm still going to find out about the echinacea though.

[daffy654]

I spoke to the herbalist this morning and she has said that echinacea is NOT SAFE IN PREGNANCY. She advised vitamin C and Zinc supplements. I have told my daughter to just turn up at the GP's surgery and demand to see the nurse in a very loud voice,it won't go down too well with the other patients waiting but she needs to be seen for her own health and that of her unborn son.

[daffy654]

Actually.....that sounded really melodramatic and I didn't mean it too.lol. She hasn't eaten for several days though and i'm a worried granny to be.

[natalie_1982]

Awww, daffy. Sounds like your daughter (and grandson!) is lucky to have a mum (and nan!) like you. I hope she is over the worst of it now and can begin getting better. Babies are resillient and I am sure he is doing fine.

Would she be able to try a smoothie of some sort to make sure she is getting some vitamins? Or some soup? Has she tried a hot bath? I am sure she has tried these things but I am racking my (rather tired) brain!

Thanks for posting about whether we can or cannot use echinacea though!

[aims1202]

she really does need to see the doc, as i said before i was prescribed a nasal spray when i was pregnant and it helped. also for a cold i always use olbas oil on my pillow at night which does give some relief
hope she feels better soon

[daffy654]

My daughter managed to see the midwife this afternoon,they listened to baby Reece's heart and it was strong and fast so he is doing ok.My daughter is still suffering and the midwife has told her she will just have to put up with it,she said not to use any decongestants(even inhaled ones) and to just carry on with the paracetamol and fluids.
Thanks for trying to help ladies.xx

[thingummyjig]

hi all, I know the question has been answered, but may I add? ; I would have thought that lemsips and other decongestants including sprays couldnt be used during pregnancy because they raise the blood pressure. They are not supposed to be sold to people with high blood pressure for this reason. I THINK both types of people can use menthol crystals and oils (eg olbas, karvol and eucolyptas) quite safely.