The common cold in pregnancy is as common as before or after it. If you are pregnant and you experience common cold symptoms – runny nose, scratchy throat, fever, don’t panic, see a doctor and start taking action. Don’t worry too much about harming yourself or your baby.
Here are some effective ways to fight colds during pregnancy.
You have a slight cold: a mild cold does not require urgent medical intervention, you can deal with it yourself, of course, if you react immediately, when you feel that the disease begins to attack your body. The faster your reaction will be, the greater the chance that the whole thing will end up in a small catharine. Use grandma’s home remedies, drink milk with honey, rinse your throat with saline – these methods do not pose any risk, but allow you to eliminate a cold after 3 days of treatment.
1. Stay home. If you don’t have a fever, you don’t need to stay in bed. It is worth, however, for you to slow down. Try to relax, read books, listen to music, watch movies. Under no circumstances should you stand for hours in the kitchen and do a general cleaning of the house. Your body needs rest to regain strength to fight viruses. You must remember that overheating the body is as negative as its cooling – it is conducive to the development of a cold. Therefore, you do not have to walk around the house in pajamas or a scarf, do not dress too warm. If a cold is accompanied by a fever and cough, go to bed and warm up – this is the best way.
2. Moisturize the mucosa. The dry air in the apartment causes the sore throat and burning sensation to intensify and the nose becomes clogged. This drying of the nasal mucosa makes it more susceptible to bacterial infections. It is important to drink a lot of water (but in small sips), it is good that it should be 3-4 liters a day. For a pregnant woman, the best solution is low-mineralized or low-sodium natural spring water. A good way is to drink herbal teas (e.g. chamomile or mint) and fruit teas. You can also make yourself a ginger drink. Pour thinly sliced ginger, 0,5 l of water and simmer for about twenty minutes. Then strain the resulting infusion and add honey or raspberry juice. This mixture should be drunk every morning and evening (1 glass).
3. Do not overheat the house / flat. The temperature in your home should not exceed 18-20 degrees Celsius. Better a little cooler than too hot. You must also be careful that your bed does not stand directly next to the radiator, and if there is no other option, turn off the heater at night. Why? Hot air causes a decrease in immunity and irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, it also causes an increased intensity of cold symptoms.
4. Remember to strengthen your immunity. Fresh air clears the nose and stimulates the immune system to work, so if a cold is not accompanied by a runny nose – go for a walk. Pregnant women should also remember to get enough sleep. In addition, tea or water with honey and lemon are beneficial to enhance immunity. Juices containing vitamin C, such as chokeberry or blackcurrant juice, as well as orange juice are good for our health. Remember to include a large amount of fruit and vegetables in your diet, preferably steamed, as they provide the body with vitamins and minerals (also warming up). It is worth mentioning manuka honey, which has antibacterial properties, for example in diseases of the upper respiratory tract, throat infections or sinusitis. Don’t forget that sauerkraut also contains a lot of vitamin C! Garlic, horseradish, onion – add them to your dishes. Do not consume an excessive amount of citrus, but you can eat a garlic sandwich before going to bed. If you eat grapefruit, drink a cup of hot tea with a slice of warm ginger or cinnamon. You can also fortify yourself with homeopathic remedies, as long as your doctor selects them.
Dietary supplements are another form of support for the pregnant woman’s body. Prenatal vitamins and minerals for pregnant women are available in the Medonet Market offer.
5. Get rid of runny nose. In the fight against a runny nose, inhalations are beneficial. You can make a mixture of water with the addition of table salt, mint, chamomile, sage or lavender. Such inhalations help to clear the nose and facilitate the expulsion of secretions. You should lean over a bowl of boiling water, cover your head with a towel or cloth and breathe in this way for about 10 minutes (first with your nose, then your mouth). You can also instill the nose with saline, which softens the secretions and also clears the respiratory tract, making breathing easier. Pregnant women should remember to cleanse their nose as often as possible, as continual puffing can lead to sinus infections and bronchial secretions. Importantly – throw the used wipes into the trash immediately, because they are a cluster of germs. If you irritate the nose area, lubricate it with petroleum jelly or marjoram ointment, it will cause less skin irritation. However, if the runny nose is so bothersome that you can’t cope – use drops for children. They are definitely less effective than those intended for adults. However, you cannot use them for too long as they can damage the mucosa.
6. Take care of your throat. You can alleviate scratching and sore throat by gargling with linseed or chamomile tea. You can also use warm water with iodine and glycerin (2 drops of iodine and 1 glycerin for 1-2 cups) or lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon per glass of water). Onion syrup is also good for scratching the throat and coughing: chop 2 onions, mix with 2 tablespoons of sugar and leave for an hour until the onion has released juice. Drink a spoonful several times a day. If you dip a cotton ball in it and put it on the nostril, it will also help with a runny nose. Milk with butter and honey is good for a sore throat. Gargarin gargle (1/2 teaspoon to 1 glass of water) or herbal syrup (make sure that pregnant women can take it beforehand) will also bring relief.
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