Allergies and sinus congestion often are exacerbated during pregnancy. Pair that with difficulty sleeping and regular aches and pains and it's often a recipe for annoyance and frustration. Before you start rifling through your medicine cabinet for a treatment, remember that not all medications are safe to take during pregnancy. Follow general guidelines and talk to your OB if you're concerned about the effect a certain decongestant or sinus medication could have on your unborn baby.
General Recommendations
If possible, it's best to avoid all medications in the first trimester, pharmacist clinical specialist Gerald Briggs advises on Babycenter.com. The first trimester is a period of vital growth and development in the fetus and certain medications could cause birth defects. After the first trimester, acetaminophen is safe, but several decongestant and allergy medications also are thought to be safe. This means they're likely fine but haven't been extensively tested on pregnant women. These medications include diphenhydramine, pseudoephedrine, guaifenesin and expectorant, according to the University of Michigan Health system. While these medications are likely safe, it's wise to check first with your OB and use them sparingly.
Dangers of Medications
Not all decongestant and sinus medications have been extensively tested for pregnancy, which is why it's always best to consult your OB first. For instance, some cold medicines contain alcohol, which should not be consumed during pregnancy. Both pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine should be avoided in the first trimester, as they could lead to birth defects. Other medications used to reduce swelling in the sinuses, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, are considered NSAID pain relievers and should be avoided completely. NSAIDs have been linked to increased chances of miscarriage during the first trimester and toxicity in the baby in the third trimester, according to Babycenter.com.
Home Remedies
Instead of relying on decongestants and allergy medication to bring sinus relief during your pregnancy, look to home remedies that won't affect your baby. Taking a warm shower and breathing in the steam or installing a humidifier in your room helps to open sinus passages when they feel congested. If sleep eludes you, try propping up the head of your mattress to allow you to sleep in an elevated position, so mucus drains more effectively. Saline nose sprays also help to relieve congestion, but avoid medicated nasal spray, which can be addictive.
Considerations
If you are considering taking sinus medication during your pregnancy, contact your doctor first. While most over-the-counter products are safe to take sparingly, it's vital that you check first in the off chance that the medication you've chosen could be harmful for your baby. Remember that chronic sinus congestion during the last few months of pregnancy is a temporary annoyance and will resolve after labor and delivery.
