How to treat a cold during pregnancy
12 04 2021
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How to treat a cold during pregnancy
A cold during pregnancy is a common occurrence in many women. This happens because the immune system of the expectant mother is weakened, making it easier to catch a cold or respiratory infection than before pregnancy.
Regardless of the reasons, having a cold can be uncomfortable for both the woman and her unborn child, so leaving this condition untreated is not recommended. Sometimes, a woman may experience a cold throughout her entire pregnancy. The cause of this could be vasomotor rhinitis.
In most cases, this type of cold during pregnancy occurs in the second trimester and often goes away only after childbirth. This type of cold usually doesn't require any specific treatment. However, steps can be taken to ease breathing.
Continuous sneezing and a runny nose can also be symptoms of allergic rhinitis. This often occurs when spring arrives and plants and grasses start to bloom. In such cases, a diagnosis should be made by a qualified specialist after consultation.
If, among the symptoms, you experience coughing, headaches, throat irritation, and a fever, you likely have a viral infection. Treatment in such cases should be initiated promptly, as infection can be dangerous for both the unborn child and the pregnant woman.
It's important to remember that to determine the diagnosis, the expectant mother should consult a doctor. The doctor will provide guidance on how to treat the cold, what to do to alleviate symptoms, and what actions could potentially worsen the condition. Let's look at some common recommendations for treating a cold in pregnant women.
How NOT to treat a cold during pregnancy:
- Let's start with nasal drops, as these are commonly used by women during pregnancy. However, it's important to remember that during this delicate state, vasoconstrictor drugs are not recommended. The pharmaceutical market offers a wide range of nasal drops, but they should not be used indiscriminately, only according to a doctor's recommendation.
- It's worth noting that vasoconstrictor drops affect the entire body and can influence the capillaries of the placenta, which could lead to fetal hypoxia. Some nasal drops may also have other side effects, such as increased blood pressure, and with prolonged use, there's a risk of developing a tolerance to the active ingredients, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
How to SAFELY and EFFECTIVELY treat a cold during pregnancy:
Any treatment should start with a doctor's consultation. Together with the doctor, a plan should be developed to return to a comfortable life quickly and safely for both the expectant mother and the baby.
To safely treat a cold during pregnancy, it's important to rinse the nose effectively. For this purpose, you can purchase saline solution or, better yet, use ready-made products based on seawater and salt, such as Normarin Sinus.
Normarin Sinus is a 2.3% hypertonic solution of seawater, which helps reduce nasal congestion and restore normal respiratory function in the nasal cavity. Normarin Sinus is used for:
Easing nasal congestion associated with rhinitis, sinusitis, a cold, flu, hay fever, or allergies.
Thinning and removing thick mucus containing bacteria and foreign particles such as dust, pollen, and allergens.
Intensive spraying helps thoroughly rinse and moisturize the nasal cavity. Normarin Sinus does not cause addiction and can be used in conjunction with other medications.
Additional Tips:
- Ensure your comfort and ventilate the room if you have a cold during pregnancy.
- Control humidity levels.
- If it's allergy-related, use Normarin Allergy for nasal rinsing, which is specifically designed to improve nasal breathing during allergies. It's a 2% hypertonic solution of sodium chloride that effectively removes pollen and reduces mucosal swelling in the nose.
- To improve sleep quality and ease breathing, consider using an extra pillow to elevate your head.
- Expectant mothers should remember that a cold affects not only them but also their baby's ability to breathe. Therefore, it's essential to take this uncomfortable symptom seriously and choose treatment that is both safe and guided by a trusted healthcare provider.
(Materials taken from the internet.)