Cold at 38 weeks pregnant: safe treatments, possible consequences

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

A cold at 38 weeks pregnant can lead to many problems. The big plus is that the baby is already formed and ready for birth. The risk of miscarriage is excluded here. But there are other complications that are dangerous at this time.

Often, pregnant women in the third trimester actively visit shops, classes for expectant mothers, like to go to shopping centers. Everywhere there are a large number of people, which can provoke a cold. After all, it is transmitted by airborne droplets.

Cold symptoms

Signs of illness in a future mother do not differ much from a disease in a non-pregnant mother. You may also have a cough or runny nose. The most famous signs of a cold at 38 weeks pregnant:

1. Sore throat.
2. Cough.
3. Headache.

Herpes can also form. In addition, snot, vomiting and diarrhea may appear with a cold at 38 weeks of gestation.

If a pregnant woman feelsaches in the body and joints, and also at the same time she has a high temperature, then most likely it is the flu. This disease is characterized by such severe symptoms. The virus, entering the body, begins to spread rapidly and can cause intoxication. It is necessary to treat the disease immediately. Firstly, if the disease is in the early stages, then its treatment will be more gentle, which will not affect the child and mother in any way. Secondly, a woman may have little strength, which can complicate childbirth. Therefore, you need to be treated immediately.

Self-treatment is not an option

For any disease, only a doctor can prescribe treatment, you can’t self-medicate and you shouldn’t drink ordinary, familiar drugs. The leading gynecologist will find out the duration of pregnancy and its features. After that, he will prescribe drugs that will help to recover and will not harm the baby.

Who is more difficult to endure a cold - a mother-to-be or a baby?

At the 38th week of pregnancy, the placenta protects the baby well, which does not allow the penetration of harmful and dangerous substances. She also responds to the immunity of the baby. All organs and functions of the fetus are well developed, but you should not relax, you need to understand that a cold is dangerous.

In the last weeks of pregnancy, it is more difficult for a woman to endure illnesses, because the baby squeezes some internal organs. Because of this, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the expectant mother to breathe and move around. Also, by week 38, the placenta begins to age and no longer performs its protective function so well.

To avoid any consequences, the doctor will prescribe the necessaryantipyretic drugs. But if the body temperature is below 37.5, then it is not necessary to bring it down, this is normal. Additionally, on the instructions of the drugs, you can read recommendations for pregnant women.

Danger of a cold at 38 weeks pregnant. Reviews and opinions of girls

An expectant mother always worries when she gets sick. After all, a viral infection enters the body, which is not dangerous for the child. But where does the excitement come from? Why is it dangerous to get sick at this stage of pregnancy?

Colds at 38 weeks of pregnancy still need to beware. With fever, the fetus may develop malformations. This does not apply to a temperature of 37.2, this may be acceptable. The placenta no longer performs its function so well. Therefore, the barrier collapses, and unnecessary substances can get to the child. It all depends on the height of the temperature and the complexity of the course of the disease. Don't panic right away. But if the temperature rises above 38 degrees, you need to quickly go to the hospital. The doctor will prescribe medication to bring down the fever.

Consequences

What are the consequences of a cold at 38 weeks pregnant? If a high temperature rises, then the fetus may have violations of all body systems. At earlier periods, placental disruption occurs, while the child ceases to receive nutrients and oxygen in the required amount.

Another danger with a severe cold can be premature birth and placental abruption. So at the slightest suspicion of a cold, you need togo to the hospital, as there may be fetal hypoxia. And in a pregnant woman, in addition to the virus, a bacterial infection may also develop. And this often leads to bronchitis.

Simple tips

How to properly treat a cold so as not to harm the unborn child and avoid negative consequences? Most importantly, go to the hospital. Self-medication can only complicate the situation. During the period of illness, a pregnant woman needs to rest more, in a well-ventilated place, with good humidity, preferably separately from everyone. Avoid physical exertion, stay more at rest. With a cold at 38 weeks of gestation, you need to drink plenty of fluids. If there is no appetite, you do not need to force yourself to eat. At this time, the body is fighting viruses, an extra load on the stomach is not needed.

What should be done to lower the temperature?

If it is not higher than 37.5 degrees, then nothing needs to be done. But if it exceeds 38 degrees, first you need to consult a doctor so that he advises good safe medicines.

If there is no way to go to the hospital, you need to periodically measure the temperature, apply cool compresses and drink plenty of fluids, you can tea. The limbs may be cold, they need to be warmed up. At elevated temperatures, more than 39 degrees, you need to urgently call an ambulance.

All antipyretic drugs can be taken only after a doctor's prescription. Since the drugs we are used to can provoke violations of many systems in the child's body. Only a doctor can assess the condition of a sick woman and recommend medication to avoid the risks of negative consequences.

How to treat a runny nose?

Pregnant women may experience symptoms such as nasal congestion. It may not always be a runny nose. Most often it is due to hormones. But if a fever, cough and sore throat appear during nasal congestion, then you need to consult a doctor in a hospital. Only there they will be able to advise and prescribe the necessary nasal drops to remove congestion and runny nose.

If you can't get to the hospital, you can use:

1. Rinse the nose with a saline solution or buy a spray based on this. This will clear the nose and make breathing easier.
2. Humidity, room ventilation.
3. The nose can be warmed up with s alt and a boiled egg if there is no temperature.

Use other medications, drops and sprays only after consulting a doctor.

How to treat a throat?

If your throat starts to hurt, then this indicates that other signs of a cold, acute respiratory infections will soon appear. Many medicines are contraindicated for pregnant women. But there are safe ways to get rid of a sore throat. How to treat a sore throat for a cold at 38 weeks pregnant?

1. You can gargle with a solution of s alt and water, a decoction of chamomile. Doing this is worth at least three times a day.
2. Drink warm tea, milk with honey.
3. Antimicrobial throat lozenges, but only approved for expectant mothers.

If the pain does not go away within a few days, then you need togo to the hospital so as not to start the disease.

Cough treatment

If there is inflammation in the throat and at the same time the nose is blocked, then a cough may appear. As already known, it cannot be treated with conventional medicines. There are simple ways to treat a cough that will help pregnant women without harm.

How to treat a cold at 38 weeks pregnant:

1. Breathe over a container with steam, herbs, you can use chamomile, calendula.
2. Warm tea.
3. Here, too, you can apply a gargle of the throat and mouth. The same herbs and soda with s alt.

If the cough does not stop, you need to go to the hospital. Be sure to listen to the lungs to rule out pneumonia. If folk remedies do not help, drugs will be added to them. But only those that the doctor prescribes so as not to harm the baby. Additionally, you can study the instructions.

Herpes

Another cold-related ailment during pregnancy is herpes. When a woman's immunity falls, the virus actively begins to progress, resulting in sores on the lips. If a woman knows what herpes is, and she had it before pregnancy, then it will not bring harm. But if this virus appeared for the first time, then you should definitely consult a doctor.

To cure herpes, you can use the usual ointments, but only after the doctor's permission. You can not drink antiviral medicines, only afterconsultations in the hospital, but it is better, of course, to use drugs only from external influences. Also, you do not need to use those medicines that are advised on the Internet, it is better to listen to the opinion of the doctor. After treating a cold, you should wash your hands and often do not touch the wounds.

Treatment Tips

There are a number of medicines that are allowed for expectant mothers. But first you need to consult a doctor. Then use this or that drug.

How to treat a cold at 38 weeks:

1. Paracetamol can be used to bring down a high fever, but the dose should be advised by a doctor.
2. For a runny nose, you can use drops based on sea water.
3. For pain in the throat, you can use antioxidants for gargling and the simplest lollipops that are not prohibited for pregnant women.

There are also folk remedies to combat ailments:

1. You need to drink plenty of warm liquids, teas, herbal decoctions.
2. You need to eat foods fortified with vitamin C. These can be not only fruits, but also vegetables.
3. It is necessary to make gargles for the throat from decoctions of herbs. Calendula and chamomile work well.

What not to do?

There are a number of procedures that cannot be performed during pregnancy at 38 weeks. It is dangerous for the life of the expectant mother and baby.

1. Do not use mustard plasters.
2. You can't steam your feet and take a hot bath. It should be changed for a shower, it's safer.
3. Nouse warming ointments.
4. Nose drops should not be used to constrict blood vessels.
5. You can not drink unknown herbal decoctions. Only chamomile, linden, wild rose.

How to protect yourself from illness?

To prevent yourself from catching a cold, you need to follow simple rules. Every woman can do this. Then you will not get a cold at 38-39 weeks of pregnancy.

Recommendations are as follows:

1. Visit less crowded places.
2. If there is an epidemic in the region, then it is better to wear a mask on the street.
3. Observe the rules of personal hygiene, wash hands.
4. Eat vegetables, fruits.
5. Ventilate the premises, do wet cleaning.
6. Hiking street.
7. It is possible to take vitamins, but only after the recommendation of a doctor.