Treatment of cough in pregnant women: advice from a gynecologist

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

A sudden cold or an exacerbation of chronic diseases of the respiratory system can provoke a cough, which, without appropriate therapy, will cause significant discomfort to a pregnant woman. It is important to understand that the use of potent drugs during pregnancy is not desirable. It is necessary to know the symptoms and treatment of cough in pregnant women, allergic or colds. Let's talk about that.

Reasons

When a woman prepares to become a mother, her immunity weakens. If the expectant mother suddenly began to cough, you need to find out the reason. Most of the causes of a cough in a pregnant woman are the same as in most people:

1. ARVI is a disease that any person can get, and the expectant mother is the main target for various viruses.
2. Seasonal allergies and exposure to toxic substances that excrete baby's waste products are the causes of coughing.
3. Asthma attacks are also a cause of coughing. Therefore, if a woman has asthma, then before planning a pregnancy, it is necessaryconsult with specialists, because most medicines are prohibited during pregnancy.
4. As you know, the growing uterus compresses and displaces all the organs of a woman, which causes heartburn. Gastric juice is thrown up the esophagus and into the respiratory tract, causing a cough that worsens when the woman lies down.
5. During pregnancy, an increase in the load on the heart is possible, against this background, the fluid in the lungs of a woman stagnates, which provokes a cough.
6. Well, and of course, the addiction of mankind - smoking is one of the main causes of coughing in pregnant women.

Views

Cough during pregnancy has no significant differences from the cough of an ordinary person, a woman without children. And it is divided into three main types, depending on the reason for the appearance:

• Dry (SK).
• Wet (VK).
• Breast strong dry or wet.

Dry or unproductive cough appears against the background of a viral infection, frequent stay in a cool place in a draft, due to severe simultaneous hypothermia. If the SC torments the expectant mother for several days (2 or 3) and does not turn into expectoration, then the bronchi and lungs are simply not able to cope with the mucus accumulated inside. Often there is a hard "barking" cough, as a mechanism for getting rid of bacteria.

Wet cough appears during periods of off-season exacerbation of diseases and is a consequence of the common cold. It lends itself to treatment quite well, since sputum does not settle inside, but freely comes out. VC is treated withthe help of traditional medicine and anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, allowed to a woman in an interesting position. Antiviral and antimicrobial drugs are used only to counteract relapses if the mother-to-be has sick family members.

Chest wet and dry cough indicate the development of complex pathologies: the cardiovascular system, respiratory tract, muscle fibers. Treatment of a mixed type of cough or its individual component is prescribed after a comprehensive examination, which includes: x-rays, blood tests for the presence of antibodies, urinalysis for the production of protein compounds, ECG, echocardiography of the heart, histological examination of sputum and mucus.

Inhalations

It is necessary to choose the safest and most effective ways to treat cough, one of which is inhalation. Cough inhalations are carried out in two ways:

• traditional, covered with a thick blanket over a container of steam;
• using a modern nebulizer.

Separately, one should dwell on medicinal formulations for inhalation for cough during pregnancy, namely:

• traditional and perhaps the most neutral and harmless means for inhalation is boiled potatoes, the inhaled steam from which fights dry cough and promotes sputum discharge;
• an inhalation with a mixture of onion and garlic has a similar effect;
• from a wet cough during pregnancy, inhalation based on sea s alt with the addition of eucalyptus decoction is well suited;
• is also an excellent tool (includingfor inhalation) is considered linden decoction.

Medications in pharmacy forms are more suitable for a nebulizer. During pregnancy, a drug such as Lazolvan, which has an expectorant effect, is suitable for inhalation using a nebulizer. Also, inhalations are carried out on ordinary mineral water, as well as on a soda solution.

It is forbidden at any stage of pregnancy to use an iodine solution for inhalation, as well as some essential oils, for example, dill, cedar and rosemary oil, as well as carry out the inhalation procedure at elevated temperatures. In any case, before carrying out any manipulations, a pregnant woman should consult a specialized specialist.

Rinses

Cough in pregnant women is a symptom that can negatively affect the he alth of both mother and baby at any time. As you know, during pregnancy, the use of most medicines is strictly prohibited due to possible negative consequences, so many mothers resort to traditional medicine. One of the effective folk remedies in the treatment of cough is gargling. This technique can be used only in the presence of an unproductive cough. A dry cough during pregnancy is more dangerous than a wet one. Dry unproductive cough causes irritation of the mucous membrane and its dryness, which can lead to increased uterine tone. Therefore, it is necessary to begin to eliminate it in a timely manner. The classic rinse includes dried herbs, baking soda,table s alt, apple cider vinegar.

Also, onion, herbal decoctions, marshmallow tinctures, licorice, radish and others can be used in most recipes. So, you can take a tincture of calendula or eucalyptus from 10 to 15 drops, and dissolve it in a glass of warm boiled water. You can also use a slightly different recipe, such as a mixture of tincture of eucalyptus, calendula and sage. They are dissolved in 350 ml of boiled water and heated in a water bath. Then you can start treatment.

The well-known solution of soda plus s alt, half a teaspoon each in a glass of warm water. Gargling with saline is also a very effective cough remedy.

The next type of rinse includes a teaspoon of soda and two to three drops of iodine. Gargle for coughing is recommended to use in order to soothe the mucous membrane and improve the general condition of the expectant mother. Rinsing should be done some time after eating. Procedures should be carried out up to 6 times a day.

Syrups

Cough syrup is prescribed for pregnant women in case of profuse redness of the mucous membrane of the throat and in the formation of blockages in the bronchial ducts (accumulation of mucus). At the same time, for each stage of gestation, the most safe drug is selected:

1. Treatment of cough in pregnant women in the first trimester. During this period, the formation of the embryo occurs, the prerequisites for the formation of many internal organs are created. Therefore, in the firsttrimester, the most sparing anti-inflammatory and expectorant drugs are selected:

• Evkabal. It is a liquid herbal collection, the main components of which are plantain and thyme extracts. It quickly thins phlegm and stops coughing fits.
• Althaea Root Syrup. A mild antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory agent, consisting only of natural ingredients. The syrup blocks the reproduction of viruses, relieves sore and itchy throat, and quickly thins viscous sputum for easy discharge.
• "Stodal". A popular pharmacy remedy for the treatment of dry cough in pregnant women in the 1st trimester from natural mineral components: herbs, extracts. Effectively fights not only with dry, but also with wet cough, its periodic attacks.

2. Treatment of cough in pregnant women in the second trimester. At this time, the child's brain, autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular muscle are formed. Therefore, the use of strong antitussive drugs is strictly prohibited. Instead, complex anti-inflammatory syrup fees are prescribed:

• “Dr. Theiss. Plantain" - psyllium extract, a universal remedy that quickly relieves inflammation and launches natural immunity in the fight against viral infections.
• "Prospank" for the treatment of cough of pregnant women 2 trimesters - a natural mucolytic, which is prescribed in the presence of attacks of suffocation or even vomiting at the time of wet, dry chest cough. Not recommended for use without a doctor's prescription.

3. Treatment of a severe cough in a pregnant woman in the third trimester. At the final stage of bearing a child, a patient with inflammation of the upper respiratory tract can even be prescribed synthetic (completely artificial) syrups with antibiotics in the composition, the main thing is that the beneficial effect of taking them is higher than the harm of long-term use of a more gentle drug based on natural ingredients.

However, not all cases imply such an approach, in the presence of even minor problems with gestation, the treatment remains conservative and completely copies the scheme and prescription typical for the first or second trimester.

Pills

Pregnancy, especially in the later stages, is a 100% contraindication for taking many medications. However, painful phenomena, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, can occur at any time, and it is simply impossible to ignore the ailment, especially when carrying a child. Also, you can not self-medicate, because the uncontrolled intake of potent drugs affects the development of the fetus.

Therefore, at the first sign of an onset of the disease, it is recommended to contact the antenatal clinic at the place of registration for a scheduled examination by a general practitioner specializing in working with pregnant and lactating women. In most cases, the local doctor will prescribe safe or relatively safe tablets and suspensions for the treatment of dry cough in pregnant women that affectthe source of the problem, quickly relieving all symptoms:

1. "Muk altin", "Doctor Theiss with sage extract and vitamin C", "Sinupret" - natural expectorant tablets. Shown in the 1-2 trimester of pregnancy in the absence of other pronounced symptoms of viral, inflammatory, bacterial infection.
2. Ambroxol, Fluditec, Bromhexine are mucolytic drugs that stimulate the natural excretion of sputum from the lungs, as well as the inclusion of immune processes in the fight against harmful viruses and bacteria. Appointed in the 2-3 trimester as anti-inflammatory drugs.
3. At the final stage of pregnancy, the probability of harming the baby is significantly reduced, since most of all systems have already been formed. Therefore, in order to quickly and effectively treat cough, the doctor may prescribe drugs such as ACC, Linax.

Folk methods

For the treatment of cough in pregnant women, you need to use natural remedies, they are safer than medications. When prescribing any remedy, a specialist consultation is necessary.

At the same time, different types of cough are treated with various folk remedies. The very process of coughing, namely spasms, can weaken or change the tone of the uterus. Therefore, coughing should be stopped as soon as possible, as this symptom is dangerous for a pregnant woman and her child, especially in late pregnancy.

For the treatment of cough in pregnant women in the first trimester, variousdecoctions from medicinal herbs, as well as tinctures that are sold in a pharmacy:

1. You need to buy milk and put figs in it, cook until the milk changes color and turns brown. For a glass of milk, you need 1.5 pieces of figs. This decoction is drunk hot, half a cup three times a day.
2. For 0.5 liters of water 200 gr. sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey and 250 gr. onions, mix all the ingredients, cook for 3 hours. After the decoction is ready, it must be stored in a cold place, drink one tablespoon every two hours while warm.
3. 250 gr. bran pour 0.5 l of boiling water, leave to infuse, then discard the thick, and take the decoction for treatment as needed.
4. Very good in the treatment of cough in pregnant women in the second trimester helps a decoction of raisins. This requires 100 gr. pour raisins with 2 cups of boiling water, this process can be carried out using a thermos. When infused, add a few tablespoons of onion juice. Drink at night, dividing the decoction into several portions.
5. It is necessary to take birch buds in the amount of 6 tbsp. spoons, grind, add 200 gr. put butter on fire, cook for one hour. Then add 400 gr. drink honey 3-4 times a day.

Inhalation options:

• 0.5 l hot water pour 40 gr. sage, this infusion is used for inhalation.
• 20 gr. dry eucalyptus leaves, 4 cloves of garlic and 0.5l. boiling water, stir.
• For 0.5 liters of water 25 grams of soda.
• For 0.5 l of hot water 20 gr. honey.

What folkgargle?

For the treatment of cough for pregnant folk remedies, they use both a ready-made purchased solution in a pharmacy and prepare solutions on their own. It is necessary to add soda and s alt to the water, 0.5 tsp each, 3 drops of iodine.

Decoctions of such herbs are well suited for gargling: eucalyptus, chamomile, calendula. A very good remedy is a natural apple cider vinegar rinse (1 teaspoon to 1 cup water).

To achieve maximum results, it is necessary to use rinsing, inhalation, tinctures and decoctions from medicinal plants at the same time.

What medicines should not be taken for cough during pregnancy?

The most commonly prescribed drugs in the fight against cough in an ordinary person in everyday life, can become categorically contraindicated during pregnancy. Any cough medicine for a future mother should be prescribed carefully. Prohibited drugs include the following.

1. Drugs with a strong mucolytic effect. Such a tool will provoke an increase in the tone of the uterine muscles and the development of premature birth. These funds include:

• anise;
• ivy syrup;
• coltsfoot flowers;
• licorice root.

2. Products containing codeine and ethylmorphine. The following drugs are strictly prohibited:

• Codelac;
• "ACC";
• Broncholithin;
• Termosol.

3. Thermopsis products. The drugs have proven themselves in the market as effective antitussives. However, due to the occurrence of side effects, its use during pregnancy is not recommended. Side effects of thermopsis are nausea, vomiting, slight increase in uterine tone. The drug is strictly prohibited in the first trimester of pregnancy. These medications include:

• Ambroxol;
• "Bromhexine";
• "Stoptussin";
• Flavamed.

Prevention

To prevent coughing, pregnant women should diligently take care of their he alth. To save yourself from unnecessary worries and diseases of the respiratory tract, you should follow the following prevention methods during pregnancy:

1. Restrict visits to crowded places (shops, hospitals, transport), due to the risk of infection with a viral disease. If it is impossible to limit the visit to the institution, you should use oxolinic ointment or other fat-containing cream for the nasal mucosa.
2. After visiting a crowded place, rinse your nose and throat with saline or plain water, and wash your hands with soap and water. Airing the room and maintaining moderate humidity is also important.
3. Daily ventilation should be at least one hour.
4. Daily walks in the fresh air, the most useful will be a park or a forest zone, due to the high content of phytoncides in the air.
5. Avoid hypothermia, especially lower extremities.
6. Refuse climate change.
7. Balanced diet with the optimal intake of vitamins and minerals.
8. Compliance with the regime of the day and rest. A daily night's sleep should be at least 8 hours.
9. At the first symptom of the disease (soreness, sore throat), you should consult your doctor.