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Coughing is a natural reaction of every organism to a foreign body in our organism. A cough does not always mean a developing infection. However, if it persists for a long time and occurs together with other symptoms, it should prompt you to see a specialist. This is especially important when a pregnant woman develops a cough.
Although coughing is a normal reaction of the immune system to pathogens that enter our body in various ways, if it is accompanied by other symptoms, it is necessary to go to a check-up with a general practitioner.
Cough in pregnancy – causes
The cough is caused by irritation of the throat, which may be caused by the mucus that still remains after a respiratory disease. Unfortunately, during pregnancy, a woman’s immune system is significantly weakened, which is why infections of the respiratory system, for example, are more frequent. There are different types of cough. A cough in pregnancy may be dry, wet, and may also be a mixed cough. Regardless of the type of reflex, you should see your gynecologist for a check-up, as it is not the cough itself that will be harmful to the fetus, but the medications you need to take. During pregnancy, it is very common for a woman to develop or intensify allergic reactions. If this is the case, a cough during pregnancy that does not go away for a long time can even be a sign of bronchial asthma.
Cough in pregnancy – treatment
In most cases, coughing in pregnancy should not pose a direct threat to the health and life of the fetus. However, a persistent and severe cough that causes intense shocks to the body can lead to uterine cramps, for example. Coughing in pregnancy can also lead to unpleasant ailments such as urinary incontinence. Pregnancy is a condition in which it is not advisable to take medications, therefore a cough during pregnancy should always be consulted with the attending physician.
There are several home-proven ways to reduce the cough reflex. Above all, it is recommended to drink more fluids than usual, which should flush pathogens from the walls of the throat. It is also worth having a saline solution in your home medicine cabinet, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. Saline spray is ideal for nasal application, and in ampoules for gargling. The great advantage of saline is that it can be used in various amounts, as there are no contraindications to its use by pregnant women.
A home remedy for pregnant coughs is a drink consisting of still water, lemon juice and honey. It is also recommended to drink home made raspberry juice. However, during the last trimester, you should limit your tea drinking to one cup a day. Inhalation is also a good solution for cough in pregnancy, it can be made of saline. In the absence of contraindications, elements of natural aromatherapy are recommended in treatment. Both inhalation and aromatherapy dilute the residual secretion and its expectoration. When a cough in pregnancy is combined with other symptoms, primarily with high fever, it is necessary to visit a specialist. In extreme cases, the doctor will order paracetamol, but if the cough during pregnancy persists, the pregnant woman requires hospitalization.