Cold during pregnancy, 2nd trimester: consequences, treatment and prevention

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

What could be better than motherhood? Every woman dreams of taking her baby in her arms, giving him her love and warmth. That's just before the birth of the child, the pregnancy should pass without problems. Women who carry a child under their heart should worry about their he alth and take care of themselves, since any disease can lead to serious complications. Even a common cold during pregnancy (reviews from future mothers about modern methods of treatment will be presented below) can end quite badly not only for women in labor, but also for the baby. This is due to the fact that, despite the reliable protection provided by the placenta, the woman and the fetus carry any pathologies together. Let's try to figure out why you need to be afraid of a cold, what complications it can lead to, what medications are allowed to be used, and how to reduce the risk of developing any pathology.

How dangerous is a runny nose?

Let's take a closer look at this. Rhinitis is a very common disease that most often worsens in spring and autumn, when the body does not have time to adapt to the change in weather. At the same time, it can occur together with the flu, allergic reactions, various infections and many other diseases that only aggravate the woman's condition and complicate treatment. Therefore, every expectant mother wonders what can be done with a cold during pregnancy in order to quickly recover and not harm the baby.

The disease is difficult to treat and may have a different etiology. Many pregnant llamas develop what is known as vasomotor rhinitis. It is caused by global changes in the body, hormonal imbalance, intoxication and increased stress on blood vessels. Toxicosis causes a change in the chemical composition of the blood, as a result of which the mucous membrane of the sinuses may swell.

Rhinitis makes it difficult to breathe, and lack of oxygen affects the overall well-being. In addition, if no action is taken, the consequences of a cold during pregnancy can be as follows:

• placental insufficiency;
• decrease in the quality of fetal nutrition;
• violation of the normal development of the endocrine system;
• spontaneous abortion;
• deformation of bone tissue or deterioration in its quality;
• mental abnormalities and impaired development of the baby's central nervous system;
• sexual problemsdevelopment;
• fetal death in the womb.

If a runny nose was caused by any viruses or infections, they can enter the uterus, which is fraught with miscarriage or fetal developmental arrest. Therefore, if a woman has a cold during pregnancy (2nd trimester), treatment should begin immediately. However, the whole problem lies in the fact that expectant mothers are forbidden to take medications, which are most often prescribed in the normal state, since they can be dangerous for the child. This requires a different approach to therapy. It will be discussed in detail later.

A few words about fetal development

To answer in more detail the question of why a cold is dangerous during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester, you need to talk a little about the changes that occur with the baby during this period. By the 13th week, his body is already almost completely formed, and its rapid growth and development begins. Here, the quality of nutrition and the he alth of the mother matter more.

In this case, the following changes occur with the fetus:

• brain formation;
• the formation of all systems;
• internal organs begin to function normally;
• development of protective functions;
• shaping the psyche.

A cold during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (you can read women's reviews of the most effective medicines at the end of the article) can affect the normal development of the fetus, as a result of which the baby will be born underdeveloped. Therefore, rhinitis should never be ignored. Even in easystage of the disease can affect the fetus, which in the future can lead to negative consequences.

Drug therapy

So what is she like? What to drink for a cold during pregnancy? This question arises in many women. However, it is important to understand here that taking any drugs without first consulting a qualified doctor can be dangerous. Therefore, if you notice the first manifestations of pathology in yourself, then the first thing you need to do is make an appointment with a doctor. Based on the patient's clinical picture, he will select the most effective and safe treatment program.

Contraindicated for taking such drugs as "Aspirin", "Nurofen", as well as any antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs belonging to the group of non-steroidal drugs. As for Analgin, there is no consensus on it. According to some specialized experts, taking it during gestation can cause the development of blood and bone marrow cancer. The risk of oncology is especially high with an individual genetic predisposition of a person.

So what is the treatment for a cold during pregnancy? It is impossible to unequivocally answer this question, since each individual case is individual, therefore, the selection of drugs is carried out on the basis of the intensity of manifestations, the severity and etiology of the disease, as well as the clinical picture of the patient. However, in order to select the most appropriatemedication, the therapist must consult with a gynecologist.

What to do in case of fever?

Let's look at this issue in more detail. If a cold during pregnancy is accompanied by a fever, then there should be more cause for concern, as this may indicate the onset of inflammation, as well as some kind of virus or infection. It is forbidden to take conventional antipyretic drugs, which are most often prescribed to patients, but it is still necessary to alleviate the state of he alth.

According to doctors, if the temperature is between 37 and 37.5 degrees, then nothing needs to be done, since there is no particular threat to the he alth and life of the mother and her baby. If the symptoms of colds are added to the heat, then the first thing to do is to visit the hospital. At home, pregnant women need to adhere to bed rest and monitor their water balance.

If a cold during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is accompanied by a strong fever, then such a condition is already considered dangerous. In this case, you can not postpone going to the doctor. As a rule, rectal suppositories are used to combat high temperatures. They are fast acting and have virtually no side effects. Viburkol is considered the most effective. The dosage and duration of use is calculated by the doctor depending on the condition of the expectant mother.

Together with candles, "Panadol" or "Paracetamol" can be prescribed. They are taken in 1/2 tablets severalonce a day. If the temperature does not subside, then re-application is allowed, but not more often than every four hours.

Antivirals

Very often, rhinitis in expectant mothers is caused by some kind of infection. In this case, antiviral medicines for colds during pregnancy are required, produced in the form of rectal suppositories and containing interferon. They stimulate the immune system and improve the body's defenses, making it much easier for it to fight pathogens.

The most common candles are "Viferon". Also, the doctor may prescribe a nasal spray "Grippferon". Both drugs are produced on the basis of a natural protein that is produced by the immune system. In addition, suppositories additionally contain vitamins C and E, which are necessary for a person for good he alth.

It is worth noting that if a woman has a cold during pregnancy, then to maintain the immune system, it is allowed to take Oscillococcinum. The drug includes a huge number of components of natural origin, so it not only helps well in the treatment of many ailments, but is also completely safe. However, as has been repeatedly said above, any medication should be used only as prescribed by the doctor. Self-medication can not only complicate the course of the disease, but also harm the expectant mother and her baby.

What to do with rhinitis?

As practice shows,a cold during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy in most cases is accompanied by a runny nose. In this case, the virus is localized mainly in the nasopharynx, therefore, to combat it, it is rinsed with antiseptic agents. One of the best is "Chlorophyllipt" and "Furacillin". With their help, you can clear the sinuses of accumulated mucus and make breathing easier, as well as wash the pathogen.

In case of mucosal inflammation syndrome, it is recommended to rinse the nose with a solution of sea s alt, as well as instillation with Aquamaris drops or any others with a similar composition. If the puffiness is very strong, then it can be removed with the help of Sinupret. As for vasoconstrictor drugs, the most common of which are Naphthyzin and Sanorin, during pregnancy they are under the strictest ban, regardless of the trimester.

Cough and sore throat

How to deal with this disease so as not to harm yourself and your baby? With such complaints, a huge number of women bearing a child turn to the therapist. As a rule, these symptoms are evidence of one of the following diseases:

• acute tonsillitis;
• pharyngitis;
• ARVI;
• various pathologies of the respiratory system.

How to treat a cold during pregnancy if it is severe and has pronounced clinical manifestations? There are many on the market todaymedicines made from natural ingredients that are designed to combat coughs and sore throats, so there will be no particular problems with the choice.

Doctors recommend the following remedies to their patients:

• "Pharingosept";
• "Lizobakt";
• "Strepsils +";
• "Lugol";
• "Stopangin";
• "Tantum Verde".

With a dry or wet cough, cold preparations during pregnancy such as Tusuprex and Muk altin are good for helping. They stimulate the removal of sputum from the bronchi, alleviate the patient's condition and speed up the healing process. With a very high body temperature and a rapid deterioration in the well-being of a woman, it is better not to take risks, trying to cure the disease on her own, but immediately go to the hospital. Only a specialized specialist, based on a comprehensive examination and laboratory results, can make an accurate diagnosis and select the most effective and safe treatment program.

SARS at medium gestation

It was discussed above whether a cold is dangerous during pregnancy. But very often it is confused with an acute respiratory viral infection. To facilitate its course and increase the effectiveness of treatment, the expectant mother should adhere to the following tips:

• periodically ventilate the room, trying to maintain the air temperature in it at 20-22 degrees;
• rest as much as possible and reduce toto a minimum of any physical activity;
• limit contact with he althy family members.

As for medications, only a doctor should select them. There are many factors to consider when designing a therapy program. In particular, the doctor is interested in the type of virus, its location and the individual characteristics of the patient. In the case of SARS, as a rule, antibiotics are prescribed based on penicillin or azithromycin.

The most common are:

• "Amoxiclav";
• "Augmentin";
• "Flemoclav";
• "Cephalexin";
• "Ceftriaxone";
• "Ospeksin";
• "Azithromycin";
• "Sumamed";
• "Ecomed".

If a cold during pregnancy develops into SARS, then, regardless of the prescribed medications, the dosage and duration of their intake is selected by the doctor depending on the he alth of the expectant mother.

Flu

So, what to expect from this disease? A cold during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy is often the first sign of a more serious viral illness. One of these is the flu. It is very dangerous because it suppresses the functioning of the immune system, and also disrupts the functioning of the heart, circulatory system and respiratory organs. According to medical statistics, this disease often leads to the death of the fetus in the womb. That's why it's important to do it as soon as possible.identify influenza and begin treatment.

This can be done based on the following symptoms:

• high body temperature;
• sore throat when swallowing;
• increased tearing;
• ache all over the body;
• congestion and discharge from the nose.

Noticing these clinical manifestations, in no case should you try to cure the disease yourself.

For the flu, you need to take these antiviral drugs:

• "Arbidol";
• "Grippferon";
• "Viferon".

As for antibiotics, they are prohibited during pregnancy, as they can lead to various negative consequences. Together with the tablets, you should gargle with antiseptic solutions, which you can buy at any pharmacy, for example, Miramistin or Bioparox.

Traditional medicine

The most common cold medicines during pregnancy have been discussed above. However, there are many alternative treatments that are good for rhinitis. It can be various infusions and decoctions prepared on the basis of plants with healing properties. At the same time, they not only quickly relieve the symptoms of a cold and contribute to a speedy recovery, but are also completely safe for he alth and do not cause any side effects. However, despite this, resorting to the use of traditional medicine should be done only after examination by a doctor. This is due to the fact that even honey, which has manyuseful properties, can lead to the development of a severe allergic reaction. Excessive consumption of raspberries and lemons is also contraindicated.

Among the most effective and harmless means are the following:

• linden, rosehip and currant leaf tea;
• decoctions of coltsfoot or dried raspberries;
• hot milk with a teaspoon of raspberry jam.

To cope with nasal congestion and runny nose will help rinse the sinuses with infusions of chamomile or marigold. These plants act as very strong natural antiseptics, which help a lot with various viral diseases. Their effectiveness is so high that the flowers allow you to quickly recover even with advanced forms of rhinitis and tonsillitis.

Now you know how to cure a cold during pregnancy with folk remedies. However, if there is no noticeable improvement, then continuing further self-treatment can be dangerous. In this case, it is better to go to the hospital for qualified medical care.

Honey

Above, we examined in detail what to take for a cold during pregnancy. In the treatment, in addition to medications, it is recommended to drink herbal teas. To increase their beneficial effects, you can add honey to them, provided that the woman is not allergic to this sweet and incredibly tasty product. It can also be used to fight herpes as an alternative to ointments.

Earlier, people treated colds through bath procedures and rubbing with alcohol tinctures,however, it is strictly forbidden to do this during pregnancy. To bring down the high temperature, expectant mothers can put compresses on themselves. To do this, a small amount of acetic acid is added to warm water, after which a towel is wetted in the solution and wrapped around the body. After that, the sick woman should lie under the covers and wait about an hour. During this time, the temperature should drop to approximately 37.4 degrees. Similar compresses can also be applied to the forehead.

Vegetable juices, decoctions and inhalations

Treatment of a cold during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy can be carried out with the help of vegetable juices, which are buried in the nasal canals. For example, carrots, aloe and beets are good for rhinitis. The procedure should be carried out at least five times a day. In addition, you can breathe in the vapors of herbs such as chamomile and sage. They stimulate the elimination of mucus from the nose and make breathing easier. If the runny nose is of a viral nature, then a few drops of essential oil, which has antimicrobial and antiseptic effects, can be added to inhalation decoctions.

With sore throat and inflammation of the soft tissues of the larynx, accompanied by the formation of abscesses, gargling with a water-s alt or soda solution is excellent. Doctors also recommend drinking warm milk with honey. It softens the throat well, relieves irritation and has a calming effect.

What can you do with a cold during pregnancy if it is accompanied by a strong cough? In this case, to improve the excretion of sputum, you should drink as much raspberry tea as possible. Folkhealers advise decoctions of plantain or thyme. With a dry cough, homemade lollipops made from burnt sugar help well. To make them, you need to pour a little water into a metal container, add a few tablespoons of refined sugar, then put on medium heat and, stirring constantly, bring to a liquid state. When the liquid turns brown, the container is removed from the oven, the elastic mass cools and small sweets are formed from it.

Prevention measures

As mentioned above, expectant mothers tolerate even the mildest diseases much worse, one of which is rhinitis. For its treatment, it is forbidden to use almost all medications, so it is very important to have a detailed idea of \u200b\u200bhow to protect yourself from a cold during pregnancy.

The following preventive measures will help you with this:

• don't go to crowded places;
• try to get around by car or on foot rather than using public transport;
• take vitamin complexes aimed at strengthening the immune system;
• walk outdoors as often as possible;
• when you get home, rinse your nasal passages with saline or any antiseptic;
• if you need to get into a crowded place, then wear a protective mask;
• dress well and avoid hypothermia;
• ventilate regularly;
• stickquality and he althy food.

According to doctors, most often people get sick due to neglect of their he alth. This is especially true for women who have a baby in their tummy. As practice shows, they often go to shopping centers and other places where a large number of people are constantly located.

At the same time, not only expectant mothers, but also other family members who may be carriers of any virus should follow general advice and recommendations for prevention. If a woman starts to get sick during pregnancy with a cold, then going to the hospital is the best way out. Only an experienced doctor will be able to choose the most optimal therapy program that will quickly get rid of the disease and will not cause any harm to the he alth of the mother and her unborn child.

Self-medication can be dangerous, as second trimester rhinitis is very insidious and can lead to various negative consequences. And if, in addition, it is caused by any infections or viruses, then the threat to the fetus increases many times over. As a result of the disease, the baby may, at first glance, be born he althy, but he will have problems in adolescence.

What do expectant mothers say about treating rhinitis with medication?

According to many doctors, the most common disease is a cold during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Reviews of women who, when carrying a baby, encountered this ailment, claim that today there are many medicines on sale that havehighly efficient and completely safe. With their help, expectant mothers managed to recover quickly without any complications. As for alternative methods, they also help well, but they should be used only as an addition to the main therapy program. Rhinitis cannot be defeated by infusions and decoctions alone. Therefore, if you get a runny nose, then you do not need to self-medicate, but you should immediately consult a doctor. The sooner treatment is started, the easier it will be to defeat the pathology.

Conclusion

Cold is, at first glance, a completely harmless disease, but in the case of pregnant women, the risks are very high. It can lead to a disruption or stop the normal development of the fetus, as well as cause a miscarriage. Therefore, every woman who is preparing to become a mother in the near future should take herself and her he alth very seriously, because she is responsible not only for herself, but also for her child. Stick to the basic preventive measures described in this article and you will never get a runny nose. Remember: the he alth of the child depends entirely on the general condition of the mother.