The common cold can affect anyone, including pregnant women. Symptoms often include coughing, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and sometimes a headache. Treatment options during pregnancy are often limited due to the safety of some medications for the unborn child. The use of any over-the-counter, prescription or herbal treatment should only be used under the advice of your doctor. Try more natural remedies for treating the cold first. These can often be quite effective.
Household Treatments
Using a humidifier, especially at night or during the winter months when central heating is used, can improve the symptoms of a cold. DrSpock.com suggests keeping the humidifier close to your face at night and even running it during the day to help thin the mucus drainage in your sinuses. Running a hot shower and inhaling the steam can also be effective. Other self-care methods include drinking plenty of fluids, including warm tea or broths, and resting. Throat lozenges, including the unmedicated form, can be useful in soothing a sore throat or persistent cough without harming the baby.
Nasal Irrigation
A nasal irrigation product or a non-medicated saline spray can be used to hydrate the nasal passages and remove mucus, states DrSpock.com. Medicated versions of nasal sprays should only be used under the advice of your doctor during pregnancy. Many medicated sprays contain steroids or other potentially harmful drugs that may have a negative impact on the unborn baby. These nasal irrigation tools are easy to use. You simply place the device, whether it is a spray bottle or irrigation container, into the nostril and allow the fluid to enter the sinuses. The fluids are then allowed to run out and then gently blow your nose. Unmedicated forms can be used as often as necessary for relief.
OTC Drugs
Your doctor can advise you as to which medications are safe for use during pregnancy and when they should be avoided. Most all drugs should be avoided at least during the first trimester. Decongestant, cough suppressants and expectorants are just some of the over-the-counter medications that can be helpful in treating the symptoms of a cold. Acetaminophen can typically be used during pregnancy for the relief of headaches and/or fever. In the event that your fever remains high for more than four hours or if it is not responding to fever-reducing techniques, you must call a doctor right away during your pregnancy.
Prescription Drugs
Your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic if your cold is due to a bacterial infection. Fungal infections will be prescribed anti-fungal medications. In this event, the medication that is the least likely to harm your baby will be chosen. Many mild forms of antibiotics and anti-fungals are available that have been studied for their safety on an unborn baby. When the risk of a medication is less than the risk of not taking it, your doctor may still prescribe certain drugs for more serious colds says BabyCenter.com.
