My sisters pregnant, what can she take for her cold/flu?

[Kimbles20]

Hi All,

My sis is 16 weeks pregnant and has a really awful cold. She has taken paracetamol to get rid of the congestion headache but is there anything at all she can take to make her feel better and try and clear the cold?

Thank you

Kimbles x

[joannie10]

there are mixed reports on whether you are allowed honey or not but both my sister and friend used honey and lemon mixed with hot water when pregnant and it did the trick. Actually my sister swears by this whenever any of her family have a cold. It does not work for me but does for them.

[madmaggot]

I really wouldn't take any medication at all. As Joannie says, honey and lemon will ease the sore throat.
A few days suffering cold symptoms is far preferable to a lifetime regretting taking medication should there sadly be something amiss when the baby is born.

[bobbybob]

I agree. Honey & lemon in hot water did the trick for me.

[Velvetee]

I had two nasty colds within weeks of each other. I was advised only to take Paracetemol, but that didn't help with the congestion, which was the worst part.

I started inhaling steam with a few drops of Olbas Oil, which helped a little, but in the end, I resorted to tiny sprays of Otravine up my nostrils, I got conflicting advice on this, some said not to use it, others said it was ok, as long as used very infrequently.

Anyway, after 5 weeks, my GP gave me Antibiotics, which did the job for me.

[Kimbles20]

Thanks guys, I did suggest honey & lemon but she hates both of them so I think she may just have to bite the bullet and drink it - perhaps she can pinch her nose at the same time so it doesnt taste so bad!!!

I will also suggest inhaling steam, that is a good idea!

Thanks

[sophie_1003]

If the congestion is still painful tell her to get a flannel and wet it with warm water, fold it up a bit and hold it across her nose. This works for me although it isn't a long term solution but makes it a bit better.

[sophie_1003]

just to clarify- I mean hold it across the bridge of her nose, not her nostrils