Cough during pregnancy in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd trimester

Cough is one of the clinical manifestations of colds. It brings a certain inconvenience to every person, and even more so to a woman who is carrying a child.

The period of pregnancy is the time when a woman’s immune system is especially vulnerable, so even a short-term contact with an ARVI patient can lead to infection. Not only infection with viruses, but also slight hypothermia can provoke the development of a cold.

A woman must understand that such a disease as “cough” does not exist. It is a consequence of any disease and is aimed at ridding the airways of the accumulated secret. In fact, coughing is a reflex of the body, so it is not advisable to treat it. It is necessary to get rid of the cause that caused it. Sometimes it turns out that an allergic reaction causes a cough.

It is for women who are expecting a baby that coughing during pregnancy is a particular problem, since most drugs – expectorants and antitussives – are prohibited during this period. In an attempt to shield the fetus from the chemical effects of the components that make up the drugs that are allowed for pregnant women, the woman refuses even such therapy. Many pregnant women prefer traditional medicine, being confident in their harmlessness and safety. However, some plants have serious side effects and are contraindicated during gestation.

Another common mistake is taking drugs intended for the treatment of children under 3 years of age. Their safe medicinal activity for born babies can harm the baby in the womb. Of course, cough treatment should not be abandoned, but each drug should be recommended by a doctor.

Why is a cough during pregnancy dangerous?

It is not worth leaving a cough during pregnancy unattended, since it is most often the result of a viral or bacterial infection that has affected the respiratory system. This condition is dangerous both for the patient herself and for the unborn child. An intrauterine infection may develop, premature birth or miscarriage may occur, the fetus may develop malformations, etc.

In addition, a pregnant woman may not know, but the cough reflex itself is dangerous. It helps to increase the tone of the uterus, which, in turn, threatens with a miscarriage, or oxygen starvation of the fetus and the development against this background of various changes in its body. If such a deviation as placenta previa or its low location is detected, then coughing during pregnancy can become a provocative factor of uterine bleeding. (Read also: Causes of bleeding during pregnancy, how to stop?)

Any strong attack of coughing can provoke nausea or vomiting, which makes toxicosis even more difficult (unless, of course, the woman suffers from it).

How to treat a cough during pregnancy in the 1st trimester?

The first months of pregnancy are accompanied by reduced immunity, so a pregnant woman is obliged to monitor her health and, if even a slight ailment occurs, urgently take measures to eliminate the focus of the disease, otherwise the unborn baby may suffer. The cause of coughing can be infections of the upper respiratory tract and respiratory tract. Sometimes a cough occurs with overexertion or stress, gastric disorders, smoking. Allergy also cannot be excluded from cough provocateurs, especially if there is regular exposure to the allergen.

At the moment of coughing, the abdominal wall is overstressed and, as a result, the uterus is tense. Cough, recurring in the form of attacks, which is prolonged and frequent, contributes to an increase in the tone of the uterus. This process spoils the blood supply of the fetus, that is, disrupts the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. In the first trimester, coughing threatens with the development of hypoxia, placental abruption, increased pressure, and the worst option is miscarriage.

Colds are terrible complications and pathologies of organ changes that form in an infant during the period of the disease. The development of a cold in the tenth week of pregnancy is less dangerous than in the first weeks of fetal formation. Rubella, among other viral infections, is of particular danger. Possible complications of coughing can be pneumonia and bronchitis. The danger of these diseases lies in the effect on the development of the fetus and treatment with potent drugs. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor in time, who will select a rational treatment with an effective result.

To begin with, the doctor will try to prescribe the most benign means in the fight against coughing. If they do not help, then it will be necessary to start treatment with drugs. Their reception is postponed for the longest possible time, since there is always the possibility of an individual intolerance to a particular remedy.

Some pregnant women are trying to get rid of coughing with lozenges, which are freely available in every pharmacy. However, you won’t get much benefit from them. Almost all of them contain eucalyptus and mint extracts, preservatives, flavors and sweeteners. Lozenges can help relieve coughing during pregnancy, but only for a short time, which means that a woman will consume them in large quantities. 

With a dry cough, a pregnant woman can use the following remedies (first trimester):

With a wet cough, a pregnant woman can use the following remedies (first trimester):

How to treat cough during pregnancy in the 2nd and 3rd trimester?

The last two trimesters are the time of completion of the formation of the systems and organs of the child. These changes prepare the fetus for entry into independent life. Therefore, even at this time, the use of any medicines is not recommended, however, the restrictions are no longer as strict as in the first months.

To get rid of dry cough in the third and second trimester of pregnancy, the following can be recommended:

To get rid of a wet cough in the third and second trimester of pregnancy, the following can be recommended:

The list of drugs that are categorically contraindicated in any month of pregnancy

• Tussin plus

• Glycodin

• Grippex

• Codelak

• Terpin code

• Bronchodilator

• ACC

• Pertussis

• Ascoril

• Josette

• Travisil

• Alex plus

• Codterpin

• Thermopsis

Plants that can harm the fetus and woman (they can not be used either in pure form or as part of preparations):

• St. John’s wort helps to reduce the effect of analgesics and may affect the effectiveness of anesthesia during caesarean section;

• Coltsfoot, medicinal comfrey can cause mutations in the fetus, have a carcinogenic effect due to the inclusion of pyrrolizidine.

• Ginseng, eleutherococcus and echinacea contribute to an increase in blood pressure, often cause allergies.

• Ginkgo biloba can cause uterine bleeding due to its anti-clotting properties.

Prevention of cough during pregnancy

In order not to treat a cough during pregnancy and get rid of unnecessary worries about this, it is best to take care of your own health and make sure that the disease does not occur.

• Contact with sick people is prohibited.

• When visiting places with a large crowd of people, it is advisable to lubricate the nasal mucosa with oxalic ointment or other greasy cream, while keeping your mouth closed.

• Washing the nose, washing hands, gargling with saline or boiled water are mandatory procedures that a woman must perform after visiting public places.

• It is necessary to remember about humidifying the air and ventilating the room.

• It is advisable to take walks in the fresh air every day. It is better if it is a forest or a park, the air in which is saturated with phytoncides.

• If symptoms of the disease occur, you should immediately seek medical help.

• It is important to avoid hypothermia and overheating, as well as to abandon climate change and long-term trips.

[Video] Dr. Berg – Effective Homemade Cough and Sore Throat Syrup: