How to treat a cold in early pregnancy

The first trimester is the period when the unborn child's internal organs are laid. A cold in the early stages can cause hypoxia, heart or kidney failure, which will make the fetus unviable, and a variety of pathologies. Mom, who learned about a long-awaited pregnancy, is recommended to dress warmly, avoid large crowds and drink vitamins so as not to get sick. And at the first symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections, run to the doctor and select a treatment.

Rest and no infections

The common cold is a dangerous viral or infectious disease that cannot be carried on the legs. A woman’s body, exhausted by hormonal changes and toxicosis, needs rest and sick leave. The future mother sits at home until the symptoms disappear completely, because public transport, shops and even parks are sources of additional bacteria. Excess microbes worsen well-being and increase the risk of developing defects in the child.

Treating colds with drugs in the early stages is undesirable. Most medicines have a number of side effects and negatively affect an unformed child. Before using herbs and other folk products, a pregnant woman should consult a gynecologist or therapist. A doctor in the period of exacerbation of influenza and viral infections is best to call home. In the hospital, a pregnant woman may receive an additional dose of viruses, which will lead to complications.

If a visit to the clinic can not be avoided, the woman puts on a gauze bandage, lubricates the nasal passages with oxolinic ointment and takes with her a tube of antiseptic gel. Wet antibacterial gloves are also suitable.

The doctor will tell the pregnant woman what drugs reduce the temperature if it rises to +38 or more. Some therapists prescribe antibiotics, but they take powerful medications in cases where the common cold is complicated. With normal cough, runny nose and sore throat, such remedies are not needed. They only destroy the intestinal microflora, and it is in this organ that immune cells are located.

A pregnant woman restricts communication with other family members. A husband and older children who go to kindergarten or school may be potential carriers of viruses. While a woman is sick, homeworkers observe several rules:

1. Do not make noise. A full eight- or nine-hour sleep speeds recovery.
2. Self-cook, wash the dishes, clean and bathe. The less a woman works, the more energy is left in the body to fight viruses.
3. Do not upset the expectant mother and do not swear with her. Stress weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of complications and miscarriage.
4. After each walk, shoes, hands and face are washed. Microbes accumulate on outerwear and exposed skin. So that they do not get into the apartment, you must follow the rules of hygiene.

A pregnant woman sleeps not only at night, but also after dinner. The body is restored during rest. With a cold, you can not strain your eyes reading books or working on a laptop. TV is allowed to watch, but not for long. A cold is faster if the expectant mother eats properly, drinks a lot of fluids and does not overwork.

Thermal procedures

With the symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections in the early stages, you can not freeze. The house maintains a temperature from +20 to + 22-24 degrees. The air is constantly humidified, and the rooms are periodically ventilated. Oxygen reduces the concentration of microbes in the rooms. It is harder for the body to fight viruses if the apartment is stuffy and hot.

Pregnant women are recommended to wear woolen or thick terry socks, pajamas with long sleeves and trousers, but it is contraindicated to wrap yourself in several blankets. When overheating in the body, blood circulation accelerates, and uterine tone may occur, which will lead to miscarriage.

With a cold, it is useful to warm the maxillary sinuses with boiled eggs or fabric bags with hot salt. Potato and soda inhalations are allowed, with herbal decoctions or essential oils. The procedure with aromatic additives is carried out if the pregnant woman is not allergic to the components.

Herbal decoctions for warming the nose are prepared from medicinal plants:

• oak bark;
• calendula
• sage;
• eucalyptus;
• daisies;
• birch buds;
• strawberry or currant leaves.

Weak water tinctures from herbs are used to gargle with perspiration and separation of pus. You can prepare a decoction of chamomile and sage by mixing 1 tbsp. l of the component with 500 ml of water, and then divide the natural medicine into two parts. The first is poured into a cup and cooled. Tonsils and nasal passages are washed with warm infusion. The second portion, while it is hot, is covered with a blank paper cap. Gently inhale warm fumes with your nose or mouth.

In a similar way, inhalations with essential oils are performed. 5-6 drops of the additive are dissolved in a bowl of hot water. Insist 3 minutes, and then inhale the etheric vapor. Rosehip, eucalyptus or thyme oil is suitable for pregnant women.

When carrying out inhalations, it is better not to cover yourself with a towel. Too humid and hot air leads to a lack of oxygen, dizziness and hypoxia of the fetus. The procedure is stopped for any uncomfortable or strange sensations.

In the early stages, colds are not treated with mustard plasters, banks, alcohol compresses or foot baths. The maximum is a warm shower, which temporarily removes the swelling of the nasal mucosa and facilitates breathing.

Preparations: what can and cannot be

In the first trimester, a temperature in the range of 37–37.2 degrees is considered normal. They do not bring down the heat during colds until the thermometer shows more than 38–38.5. The temperature is reduced by heavy drinking: black or green tea with lemon, viburnum or cranberry juice, water. You can not drink more than 2 liters of fluid per day. Water stagnates in soft tissues, causing swelling and gestosis.

In case of heat, bandages soaked in vinegar are applied to the wrists and forehead. If all else fails, take paracetamol preparations. Instead of pills, they buy syrups or suppositories that work softer.

The allowed antipyretic drugs include:

• Paracet;
• Tylenol;
• Efferalgan;
• Panadol.

Runny nose and swelling of the mucous membrane are removed with drops with vasoconstrictor properties: “Sanorin”, “Naphthyzine” or “Otrivin”. In the early stages, pregnant women are prescribed Pinosol. The drug is expensive, but safe and effective. Vasoconstrictor drops are used up to 4 times a day, but not longer than 3 days. When abused, they impair blood circulation and lead to oxygen starvation of the fetus.

With a runny nose, the nasal passages are washed with sprays based on sea water. They moisturize the mucosa, soften and soothe inflammation. Suitable "Aquamaris" and "Humer." Sprays are replaced with inexpensive saline. The drug consists of purified water and salt, so it does not harm the child.
Sore throat removes "Faringosept", "Lizobakt", "Stopangin."

Immunomodulators and antipyretics with acetylsalicylic acid are contraindicated. The first cause arrhythmia and hypertension. The latter dilute the blood, increasing the risk of rejection of the placenta and miscarriage. The preparations “Biseptol” and “Bactrim” provoke the development of the cleft palate. Indomethacin is the cause of pulmonary hypertension and embryo rejection, while Citramon causes uterine bleeding. Alcohol tinctures of echinacea, eucalyptus, calendula and other plants are also prohibited. Herbal preparations should not be used to gargle or rinse your nose.

Choose a remedy for the common cold should be a specialist.Any pill taken by a woman without the permission of a doctor can cause fetal abnormalities or death.

Cold diet

The immune cells responsible for killing viruses are produced in the intestines. The pregnant woman’s task is to restore the microflora of this organ and start the production of white blood cells. The body is not able to digest heavy foods during colds. The future mother removes sausage, butter, pork and lamb, smoked meats, lard and ham, fried potatoes and fast food from the diet before recovering.

Marinades and foods with a lot of salt trap fluid in the body. Edema creates an additional burden on the kidneys and heart of the pregnant woman. Salted cucumbers and tomatoes, canned mushrooms, crackers, herring and dried fish disappear from the menu.

The composition of a balanced and healthy diet includes:

• vegetable soups;
• mucous porridge;
• steamed or boiled chicken;
• baked sea fish;
• fresh vegetable and fruit salads;
• berry jelly;
• dairy drinks;
• cottage cheese.

Pregnant women who are not allergic to citrus should consume oranges, grapefruits and tangerines. Exotic sources of vitamin C are replaced with a decoction of rose hips. In red berries there is a lot of ascorbic acid, but to preserve it, the preparation is poured with hot water and insisted. You can not boil a decoction of rose hips.

Cold symptoms are removed by warm milk with honey and soda. In the case of perspiration and coughing, add butter to the drink, you can badger or fish oil. Honey is a universal cure for the common cold, sore throat and bronchitis, but the bee product should not be abused during pregnancy. Eat up to 60 g of a natural sweetener per day, so as not to provoke an allergy.

Honey is dissolved in herbal decoctions and fruit drinks. A vitamin dessert is prepared from a bee product and crushed lemon. Citrus medicine is prohibited for women with gastritis, heartburn, or an ulcer.

Herbal recipes

Medicinal plants help strengthen immunity and eliminate the symptoms of a cold in the early stages:

1. Tea from linden flowers is drunk at elevated temperatures and chills. Mix in equal proportions with elderberry inflorescences, measure 1 tbsp. l tea leaves and add a cup of boiling water.
2. A broth of sage is gargled with sore throat to prevent a sore throat. Combine 30 g of crushed grass with a glass of hot water. The filtered medicine is cooled to room temperature. Inside the infusion is not taken, it affects the hormonal background of the pregnant woman and leads to the death of the embryo.
3. Raspberry tea strengthens the immune system, accelerating recovery. Leaves and twigs of the plant are not used, only dried or fresh berries. The product is mixed with rose hips and currants. Take 1 tbsp. l berries, brew 0.5 l of boiling water. 35 ml of honey is added to the infused drink. All 500 ml of the drug is drunk per day.
4. Cough, even dry and barking, is treated with coltsfoot leaves. The plant does not affect the development of the fetus and has no contraindications. A pinch of grass is mixed with a cup of water, heated by a stove or water bath. Insist in warmth for half an hour, drink with or without honey.
5. Useful infusion of 12 dates and 500 ml of water. Dried fruits are boiled for 30 minutes. The fruits are eaten, and tea is divided into 2-3 servings and drunk with severe coughing fits.

Pregnant women often experience cold symptoms in the first trimester. But more than 80% of mothers who have had ARVI give birth to healthy and strong children. The main thing is to follow all the instructions of the gynecologist, eat right and not worry. And then a cold will pass quickly and will not harm the child.

Video: Flu and the common cold during pregnancy