Treatment and prevention of colds during pregnancy

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

For every woman, the he alth of her child is important. Therefore, you need to take care of it even from the very planning or onset of pregnancy. For the entire period, doctors strongly do not recommend the expectant mother to use any medication. But sometimes it just turns out to be necessary.

Modern drug manufacturers produce a variety of means by which colds are prevented. During pregnancy, such drugs are not always allowed. Every expectant mother should remember the main rule: no medicines can be used on their own. If you have signs of illness, you should seek help from specialists.

Beware during the cold season

Cold prevention during pregnancy should always be done. But special attention is paid to it in cold weather. If it is damp and windy outside, you can easily catch an infection. Note that viruses spread most well in a cold, but not frosty period. If outside the windowsub-zero temperatures, then the chances of getting sick are reduced significantly.

It is very important to pay attention to your clothes. Choose according to the weather. Do not try to dress warmly: you can easily sweat and catch a cold. If your journey takes a lot of time, then take a thermos with a warm drink: tea or fruit drink. Hardening is a good way to increase immunity, but only before conception. If you are already pregnant, then you should stay away from such events.

Protect yourself from infection

Medications to prevent colds during pregnancy are generally not recommended. Therefore, the expectant mother gently take care of her he alth on her own. Try to avoid crowded places, during epidemics it is worth staying at home. But even here it is important to follow certain rules: ventilate the room as often as possible, the air around you should be humid and cool. Be sure to refuse to receive guests.

If you can't afford to sit out the epidemic at home, then use masks. They need to be changed every two hours. The infection is inevitably transmitted by contact with a person: through the air, handshakes, documents. You can catch the disease even in a store, a bus, your own entrance. That’s why it’s so important to wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap when you get home. Use antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer throughout the day. Keep brushes away from your face and, of course, don't eat with dirty hands.

Use folk remedies

The safest prevention of colds during pregnancy is folk remedies. But in this you need to know the measure. Do not drink decoctions in liters and eat honey in kilograms. This can lead to allergies. It is worth noting that such a reaction develops not only in expectant mothers, but also in their babies. Subsequently, the child is born allergic. So, what can be done to prevent colds during pregnancy?

• Herbs: chamomile, calendula, mint, eucalyptus. Gargle with decoctions of these plants. They will have a bactericidal, antiseptic, antiviral effect. Small concentrations of these herbs can be brewed into tea, but always be careful.
• Onions and garlic. These two plants are considered natural antibiotics. There is a myth that garlic should not be consumed in the first trimester of pregnancy. Doctors are skeptical about this statement and assure: within reasonable limits - you can.
• Sources of vitamin C: orange, lemon, parsley, cabbage. These products will make up for the deficiency of the vitamin in the body and help improve immunity. It is important to eat them raw.
• Ginger tea. This drink is considered a natural immunomodulator. You can use it, but you should limit the volume and concentration. Start your morning with a cup of light ginger tea with a spoonful of honey, and your immunity will become much stronger.

Rinse the nose - a sure way to prevent colds

A variety of saline solutions and drops can be used during pregnancy. They are introduced into the nasal cavity for the purpose of cleansing,moisturizing, decongestion. The presence of s alt helps to draw out excess fluid from the mucous membranes, which makes it easier to breathe. In addition, the solution promotes the regeneration of inflamed and damaged tissues. If you come into contact with an infection, then the nose and throat become the passage for it into your body. Therefore, upon returning home, it is imperative to clean these mucous surfaces.

The virus is not able to hit its target in a few hours. You can easily get rid of pathogenic microorganisms, and thus prevent infection. You can prepare a saline solution yourself or use the well-known sodium chloride. Also, the pharmacy sells special devices that simplify the manipulation of cleansing: "Dolphin", "Rinostop", "Humer" and so on.

Drugs for prevention: immunomodulators

Prevention and treatment of colds during pregnancy can be carried out with the help of medicines that increase immunity. If you previously had to use them without a doctor's prescription, now it is prohibited. Many medicines of this nature also have an antiviral effect. Indications for the appointment of immunostimulants are frequent colds, accompanied by complications, a high probability of infection, sluggish bacterial pathologies.

You need to remember the list of medicines that are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy: Immunal, Isoprinosine or Groprinosin, Cycloferon, Bronchomunal, Proteflazid, Amiksin and so on. The list of dangerous drugs is endless. Much easiersay what you can use. Prevention of colds during pregnancy can be done by the following means: Oscillococcinum, Magne B6, Viferon (from 14 weeks), Arbidol.

If you get sick…

What if the prevention of flu and colds during pregnancy was ineffective? At the first symptoms of infection, treatment should be started immediately. Its basis lies in the mode:

1. Give up work and stay at home: get more rest and lie down, keep calm.
2. Drink plenty of fluids. It can be plain water, tea, fruit drink. Do not abuse raspberries (especially in the first and last trimester). If possible, replace it with cranberries.
3. If you don't have an appetite, don't force yourself to eat. Do not worry that the baby inside you will be hungry. Now it is much more important to regain your good he alth.

Many future mothers do not want to see a doctor and try to eliminate the disease on their own. This approach is possible, but once again it is worth recalling the prohibition of any drugs. You should definitely see a specialist in the following cases:

• Body temperature rises to 38 degrees.
• You suffer from cough, headache, photophobia.
• There is pain in the abdomen, diarrhea.
• Rhinitis becomes thick, discharge becomes green.
• You don't get better for 2-3 days.

High temperatureand pain

Prevention of colds during pregnancy (especially in the early stages) is not always possible. This is due to the natural decrease in immunity. It is necessary so that the body does not reject the fetus. If the infection did occur, and you have a headache, then it is permissible to take an antispasmodic. The safest and most popular are "No-Shpa" and "Drotaverin". They are not contraindicated for future mothers.

If the body temperature rises, then it must be controlled. It is worth taking antipyretics if the mercury on the thermometer has risen to 37.6. The safest medication in this situation would be Paracetamol. In the second trimester, it is permissible to use Ibuprofen. "Analgin" and "Aspirin" are strictly prohibited. These drugs can cause fetal harm.

Rhinitis and stuffy nose

Prevention of colds during early pregnancy does not always bear fruit. Every third expectant mother in the first trimester suffers a runny nose. This phenomenon in itself is not dangerous for the baby in the womb, but it is unpleasant for the woman. A safe and proven remedy for the common cold is Grippferon spray and drops. It should be noted that they can also be used for the purpose of prevention. This medication is allowed for expectant mothers throughout pregnancy. It has antiviral and immunomodulatory effects.

With a cold of a bacterial nature and prolonged chronic rhinitis, "Pinosol" is prescribed. The composition of this drug includes only natural plant ingredients. Note that women with a tendency to allergiesbetter not to use. All vasoconstrictor drugs are prohibited (especially in the first trimester). But if the swelling in the nose is such that the expectant mother is forced to breathe through her mouth, the drugs can be prescribed in minimal doses.

How to relieve a sore throat?

What other means can be used to prevent colds during pregnancy? In the early stages, as well as later, you can use the Miramistin solution. This drug has an antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effect. The spray is effective for all diseases. If an infection has occurred, then the throat should be irrigated with the drug up to 6 times a day, or a diluted rinse solution should be used. Miramistin perfectly disinfects and heals, but it does not have an analgesic effect.

You can get rid of tickling and discomfort with the help of Hexoral and Tantum Verde preparations. According to the doctor's prescription, it is permissible to use "Ingalipt", "Gedelix", "Doctor Mom". Gargle more often with decoctions of chamomile and sage.

Use of antibiotics

Prevention of colds during pregnancy (3rd trimester or early terms - not so important) is never done with antibiotics. These drugs are prescribed exclusively according to indications. They are strictly prohibited up to 14 weeks. Later, medications are prescribed only after the examination. The doctor, before prescribing a medicine, weighs the pros and cons. Antibiotics are indicated in the following cases:

1. High temperature persists for more than 5days.
2. It is joined by a cough with wheezing in the bronchi and lungs.
3. The secret coming out of the nose turns green.
4. There is a purulent coating in the throat.

There are not many antibiotics allowed during pregnancy. The most commonly prescribed drugs are the penicillin series: Flemoxin, Amoxiclav. Macrolides "Sumamed", "Aziromycin" are less commonly prescribed.

Reviews

Doctors say: if the prevention of a cold during pregnancy has failed, the 2nd trimester is the safest and most appropriate time for its treatment. Note that other diseases detected in a woman are corrected precisely at this time. Antibiotic therapy is prescribed in the period from 16 to 25 weeks. But if necessary, it is carried out later.

Reviews of women indicate that almost every representative of the weaker sex is faced with colds during pregnancy, and some of them occur more than once. Expectant mothers and accomplished parents say that there is nothing wrong with that. It is important to consult a doctor in time. Don't be afraid of drugs. If they are prescribed by a doctor, then they most likely will not harm either you or the baby.

Summarize

Every expectant mother should be prevented from getting a cold during pregnancy. The 2nd trimester is considered the most beautiful, easy and safe period. At this time, all the organs and systems of the baby are already formed, and the woman's immune system is gradually recovering. Visit regularlyyour doctor. Ask him how else you can protect yourself from infection. Have a good he alth, do not get sick!