Head colds may last longer when you're pregnant, according to the University of Michigan Health System. However, there are plenty of non-prescription treatment modalities to help relieve your symptoms while protecting the health of your unborn baby. Before using any medication, including over-the-counter remedies, talk to your doctor.
Step 1
Check your temperature daily while you're sick. Call your doctor if your temperature rises above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or if you cannot keep any food or fluids down.
Step 2
Get plenty of rest -- take some time off work and take frequent naps during the day. When you are sick with a cold, your immune system is already tied up trying to fight it. Stay indoors and do not expose yourself to other illnesses, such as influenza, while your body is too weak to fight them off.
Step 3
Add one or two pillows to your bed. Elevating your head may help decrease post-nasal drip that is a chief complaint in pregnant women with colds.
Step 4
Drink eight to 10 glasses of fluid a day. A runny nose and elevated temperature can burn off your fluids faster, which can make you dehydrated. Try low-sodium broths, clear juice and even popsicles in between glasses of water to stay hydrated.
Step 5
Turn the shower on with warm water. Leave the bathroom, close the door and wait five to 10 minutes. Return to the bathroom and sit comfortably in the steam for a few minutes to open up airways and relieve a dry, hacking cough.
Step 6
Eat chicken noodle soup. The MayoClinic notes that this home remedy helps alleviate nasal congestion and boosts your immune system's defenses. It is also a way to keep your energy up with protein and carbs, and won't irritate a raw throat.
Step 7
Add 1/4 tsp. of salt to 8 oz. of warm water to make a salt-water gargle for a sore throat. Stir up the mixture and gargle for 10 seconds, repeat if necessary. Do not swallow the mixture.
Tips and Warnings
- Run warm water over a washcloth and hold it on the bridge of your nose and cheeks to relieve sinus pain.
- Call or see your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse or lasting longer than a few days with a fever.
Things You'll Need
- Thermometer
- Water
- Table salt
- Washcloth
- Pillows
- Chicken soup
