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

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-17 18:33

During pregnancy, women often suffer from colds. The question immediately arises, what and how to be treated so as not to harm the baby. Naturally, you do not want to resort to medications at all. Then how to treat pregnant women with a cold? After all, a cold when carrying a baby (and, by the way, not only during this period, but in general) is terrible not just in itself, but with those rather unpleasant complications that can follow after it. How to avoid them? What preventive measures will help protect yourself from viruses and pathogens that attack the body of a woman carrying a baby for 270 days? What can pregnant women with a cold? There are many questions - let's figure it out.

Varieties of colds

First of all, it is influenza, which is an acute viral disease. It is characterized by pronounced intoxication and damage to the respiratory tract. Another variety is acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), which have a flu-likeclinical picture. Both diseases are quite dangerous for women who are in an “interesting position.”

Note! If the flu (which tends to be more severe) is not treated, these reckless actions can lead to very serious and highly undesirable consequences.

Why is a cold so dangerous for a pregnant woman

Cold diseases are dangerous not only for the expectant mother herself, but also for her baby. Complications that may occur after diseases such as influenza or SARS during pregnancy (especially in the first three months):

• formation of malformations of the child;
• fetal infection;
• baby hypoxia;
• placental insufficiency;
• miscarriage;
• large blood loss during childbirth;
• premature release of amniotic fluid;
• inflammatory processes of the female reproductive system;
• significant postpartum complications;
• chronic infections.

How can you get infected

You can get the flu or SARS:

• Airborne. That is, droplets of mucus or saliva that are released when talking, sneezing or coughing.
• Through foods that people eat without first washing their hands.

Moreover, during pregnancy, women are very susceptible to viruses and bacteria that cause colds. The fact is that at this moment the immunity of a pregnant woman is weakened and cannot provide a decentinfection control.

Colds in different stages of pregnancy

At each term of bearing a baby, colds manifest themselves in different ways:

Pregnancy for up to 12 weeks, that is, during the first trimester, - the vital internal organs of the child and the neural tube are laid and formed. During this period, the baby's placenta has not yet been formed, and any penetration of the infection into the mother's body leads to a serious pathology of fetal development

• Second trimester, that is, the period from 12 to 24 weeks. Any cold can threaten placental circulation (read more about this period below).
• The last three months of childbearing. An infection caught during this period is fraught with infection of the baby with the virus and premature birth.

Danger of colds in the second trimester of pregnancy

In the second trimester, it would seem that you can already “breathe easier”, since the formation of the fetus has already occurred (the baby weighs almost 1 kg; his height is about 32-35 cm; his hair and cilia grow; he already can open eyes). Therefore, exposure to any viruses does not lead to the appearance of certain malformations in the child. Yes, and the level of protective forces of the pregnant woman herself increases significantly, which means that a cold during pregnancy in the 2nd trimester is no longer so terrible. But during this period, the placenta of the fetus begins to form. It is she who is attacked by viruses and bacteria. What is the danger of a coldpregnancy (2nd trimester):

• The placental circulation is difficult. That is, a full-fledged exchange between the body of a mother and a baby is disrupted.
• The child lacks oxygen and nutrients. This may cause a delay in intrauterine development of the baby.
• There are certain disturbances in the development of the endocrine system.
• A cold can negatively affect the development of the infant's central nervous system, which is actively formed at this stage, as well as the development of the baby as a whole.
• At a period of 16-17 weeks, any catarrhal disease may not have the best effect on the formation of the bone tissue of the fetus.

What a cold during pregnancy (2nd trimester) can result in:

• The passage of amniotic fluid.
• Intrauterine infection of the child.
• Abortion.

Based on the above, it becomes clear how a cold affects pregnancy (2nd trimester). Therefore, you should not relax. You have to be on the lookout all the time, because the consequences of a cold during pregnancy (2nd trimester) are not much different in severity from what happens during the first trimester or third.

Methods of treatment in the second trimester of pregnancy

All recommendations for the treatment of colds during pregnancy (2nd trimester) can be obtained exclusively from specialists, namely from a general practitioner and an obstetrician-gynecologist. They will help you choose the necessary means to combat the disease. A distinctive feature of this period is that the choice of medications,which can be used without much harm to mother and baby, much wider.

So, how to treat a cold during pregnancy (2nd trimester):

Reduce the temperature with folk remedies or paracetamol, which is approved for use at this stage of pregnancy

Important! No antibiotics so as not to harm the baby

We fight cough in gentle ways (preferably by means of traditional medicine). As prescribed by a doctor, you can also use such remedies for colds during pregnancy (2nd trimester), such as Muk altin (to combat wet cough) and Stoptussin (to relieve dry cough). The first preparation is recommended to be dissolved in a tablespoon of milk or mineral water (for example, Borjomi). Also, in agreement with the doctor, you can take ACC ("Fluimucil") and "Lazolvan" (forms: syrup, solution or tablets). Moreover, when using them, it is recommended to drink plenty of water

Important! All codeine-based drugs are banned.

During pregnancy (2nd trimester) - how to treat a cold, namely a runny nose? In the treatment of this disease, it is necessary to monitor the color of the mucus. As soon as it changes from transparent (or whitish) to green (or yellowish), then this is a signal that the runny nose has moved to another stage, namely, sinusitis. It can be sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. At the stage of transparent mucus, you can do washings based on sea s alt, instill "Nazivin" (no more than 3 days), as well as "Aquamaris" and "Pinosol", which have moisturizing, anti-inflammatory andantimicrobial properties. At the stage of green mucus (pus), it is urgent to contact a medical facility

Important! Do not use alcohol-based solutions or sprays.

With an inflamed throat, the tablets "Laripront" and "Lizobakt" will help; as a rinse - "Miramistin" or soda solution. Also drink milk with honey in small portions 2-3 times a day. All in agreement with the doctor

Important! A cold during pregnancy (2nd trimester) is another test not only for the expectant mother, but also for her baby. Do not try to cope with ailments on your own. You can always turn to specialists, and they will definitely help you.

"Viferon" for colds during pregnancy (2nd trimester)

During pregnancy, the mother's immune system is weakened. To restore her full-fledged work, you can take "Viferon", which is completely safe for both the growing baby and his mother. With the help of this antiviral drug, you can not only strengthen the immune system, but also destroy existing infections. Forms of production of "Viferon" - suppositories (the composition includes interferon, vitamin C, tocopherol acetate and cocoa butter) and ointment (its components: interferon, tocopherol acetate, lanolin and petroleum jelly).

General recommendations for the treatment of colds

Useful information that will help you avoid many mistakes:

• Very often, treatments that are quite effective for ordinary people can be dangerous for the expectant mother and her baby.
• At firstmanifestations of influenza and SARS should immediately begin treatment.
• It would not be superfluous to recall that many medications are categorically not allowed for use during pregnancy due to the fact that they can harm the baby.
• In case of a cold, you should not self-medicate. You should immediately seek advice from a general practitioner who, having all the tests on hand, will be able to assess the severity of the woman’s condition and prescribe the appropriate cold medicine for the pregnant woman.
• First, folk methods are used to treat colds, and only if they are completely ineffective, one can proceed to the use of medications (only in agreement with the doctor).
• When starting medication, you need to be guided by a very good principle: less is better than more. This applies even to drugs that are indicated for use by a woman who is in an “interesting position.”
• You need to be aware of what pregnant women can do with a cold (in terms of medication).
• Immediately after the onset of the disease (in the presence of a temperature), it is necessary to constantly and portionwise replenish the body's water balance, since fluid loss at a high temperature is inevitable.

Important! If the temperature is about 37.5 degrees and there is no deterioration in the general condition, then there is no point in bringing it down.

• Do not forget about ventilation and wet cleaning of the room.
• Bed rest during illnessrequired.
• For a severe headache, you can use a cloth dampened with cool water, which should be placed on the forehead.
• In order not to harm the child and yourself, you should always consult with your doctor; carefully study the instructions for all medications taken; do not listen to or follow the advice of friends, acquaintances or relatives.

Remember! Only a specialist can fully control the process of the course of the disease. Even traditional methods of treatment must be approved by a doctor. Otherwise, complications are possible not only for the expectant mother, but also for the child.

Folk remedies for colds

Before you start using medications, you need to apply all possible folk remedies for colds for pregnant women. Of course, at the first sign of SARS, everyone immediately starts drinking herbal decoctions: teas with mint and lemon balm, warm drink with honey, milk with butter, cranberry and lingonberry fruit drinks, mineral water (still) and much more. But do not forget about some restrictions:

• You need to give up those herbs that cause you an allergic reaction.
• You can not completely uncontrolled use of liquid in large volumes. Do not forget that excess water causes swelling.
• Of course, honey for colds is a good thing, but if you are allergic to this product, then you should forget about it.
• No hot treatments during pregnancy. Only as a last resortyou can attach mustard plasters to your feet (only dry ones) and put on woolen socks on top. It is very dangerous to do hot foot baths. True, dipping your hands into a container of hot water is allowed: it can alleviate a cough.
• Tea for colds during pregnancy with mint or lemon balm will also have to be abandoned, as these herbs help reduce blood viscosity.
• Don't go overboard with vitamin C, too much can be harmful.

Treat a runny nose

Methods of treating this ailment are as follows:

• Rinse the nose. This procedure makes sense, as the main location of the virus is the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. For these manipulations, a s alt solution is perfect (a small pinch of s alt is enough for one glass of warm boiled water); finished preparations "Aquamaris" and "Salin"; freshly prepared chamomile infusion or saline. The procedure is carried out as follows: with an ordinary syringe (of course, without a needle), you need to collect the liquid for washing. Then tilt your head to the left and pour the solution into the right nostril, then perform similar actions from the opposite side. Repeat 3-4 times a day.
• In case of a runny nose at an early stage of bearing a baby, it is quite effective to put a bag of heated buckwheat or sand on the bridge of the nose.
• Inhalations based on chamomile. The duration of the procedure is 8-12 minutes (2-4 times a day).
• Instillation of homemade drops. For this, fresh juice squeezed from beets or carrots is suitable, as well as an infusion of chamomile or linden.
• Massagewings of the nose (at the base on both sides). The procedure relieves nasal congestion.
• The Asterisk balm proved to be quite good. Apply it to the bridge of the nose and whiskey (several times a day).

Bring down the temperature

The main task in the fight against influenza and SARS is to reduce fever, which can adversely affect the development and growth of the child. How to deal with hyperthermia? Do the following:

• We use a lot of warm liquid (cranberry or lingonberry juice; green tea with lemon; milk with honey; a decoction of raspberries, linden or chamomile). The drink should not be hot.
• Apply cool compresses to the forehead.
• Wipe with a towel soaked in cool water, wrists, elbows, and hollows under the armpits and knees.
• Rub the body with a solution of vinegar (one part vinegar and three parts water). Do not immediately dress and wrap yourself in a blanket after wiping: let the liquid evaporate from the skin.
• If the temperature "rolls over" and chills appear, then we drink a lot of diaphoretic tea; cover yourself warmly and apply heating pads to your feet. These manipulations contribute to the outflow of blood down. After the chills disappear, we start rubbing with vodka or vinegar solution.
• If folk remedies do not help, then you can take paracetamol (half a tablet twice a day).
• If the temperature stays at 38.5 degrees and does not decrease, then you need to call an ambulance, since a prolonged high temperature isa great danger for the mother and for the baby (especially in the early stages of gestation).

Treat sore throat

Treatment and sore throat are "faithful companions" of colds. Procedures to help cope with this ailment:

Frequent warm drinking (like plain water)

Important! Hot liquid is contraindicated. Otherwise, the pain will increase and the swelling will increase.

• Rinse with a solution of soda (one teaspoon of soda in a glass of warm water) or a decoction of chamomile, calendula, eucalyptus or mint. Every two hours during the day.
• If you are not allergic to honey or lactose intolerant, then drinking warm milk (one glass) with butter (one tablespoon) and honey (one teaspoon). It is recommended to drink in small sips, and repeat the procedure 4-5 times a day.

Important! You will have to give up any lozenges during pregnancy that alleviate inflammation in the throat.

As long as there are problems with the throat, you should not talk a lot - it is better to be silent for a while. Especially with laryngitis, to save the vocal cords

Important! All procedures can be done only after consulting a doctor. In order not to miss the onset of tonsillitis, you need to be examined by a specialist who, if necessary, will prescribe more serious therapy.

Fight cough

Such an ailment not only brings some discomfortexpectant mother, but also poses a danger to the normal course of pregnancy: in the process of coughing, the ligaments and muscles of the abdomen tense and contract, which can cause premature birth or bleeding. How to prevent this and cure a cough? You can try doing the following:

• Drink warm (but not hot) milk with butter and soda (at the tip of a knife). Very good way to fight cough.
• Prepare decoctions of chamomile flowers, marshmallow root, garden raspberry leaves, pine buds, and coltsfoot herbs. The recipe is quite simple: pour 1-2 tablespoons of any plant component with one glass of boiling water. Boil for another 10 minutes. Next, we insist for 15 minutes (always under the lid), filter and drink throughout the day in small portions (1/4 cup each).
• Honey for colds will help a lot if it is natural and goes in combination with herbal decoctions. Of course, if you are not allergic to this product.

Note! Honey should not be added to boiling water, otherwise it loses its beneficial properties. It should only be added to a decoction that has a temperature of about 60 degrees.

• Do inhalations. For the procedure, you can use a pair of decoctions of herbs (for example, St. John's wort or chamomile), boiled potatoes, an aqueous solution of baking soda, as well as raw onions or garlic (for 10 minutes, twice a day). You can use either a special device - an inhaler, or a suitable container. The herb can be purchased at a pharmacy and brewed according to the attached instructions.
• Spendairing and humidifying the air on a regular basis. If a humidifier is not available, you can place water containers in several places in the room.

If the cough does not get weaker for seven days, then it is imperative to seek help from a medical institution so as not to miss pneumonia. If nothing helps, a high temperature persists and the condition worsens, then immediately call an ambulance, because any delay threatens with serious complications, both for the expectant mother and for the baby. Remember: do not self-treat the flu.

No fever with a cold

Yes, sometimes it happens. If a cold occurs without fever during pregnancy, then this signals that the woman’s body does not produce such an important substance as interferon. That is, there is no full-fledged fight against alien bacteria and viruses. Be sure to see a doctor.

Prevention of colds

Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat it long and hard. Therefore, the prevention of colds during pregnancy (2nd trimester, 1st and 3rd) is very important. And if you strictly follow the recommendations, then perhaps you have a chance to avoid diseases such as influenza or SARS. Ah, here's what to do:

• We need to eliminate contact with people who are already sick.
• Don't visit crowded places.
• Stay outdoors as often as possible.
• Beforeevery exit to the street (especially during epidemics) lubricate the nasal mucosa with oxolin ointment. True, opinions are divided on this issue, as some experts believe that the ointment is ineffective, and sometimes harmful.
• Do not allow hypothermia or overheating of the body.
• In rainy weather, it's better to stay at home so as not to get wet and get your feet wet.
• Carry out regular ventilation of the home.
• Wet clean the room as often as possible.
• If not allergic, use aromatic oils from herbs such as mint, rosemary and lavender.
• It is advisable to include fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet, as well as onions and garlic, which are endowed with natural phytoncides (that is, biologically active substances that inhibit the development and growth of bacteria).
• Herbal infusions rich in vitamin C (for example, cranberry juice or rosehip decoction) will not interfere either.

Important! Remember: vitamin deficiency is just as dangerous as hypervitaminosis. Therefore, do not be too zealous in this regard.

In closing

Now you know how and how to treat pregnant women with a cold. If so, don't panic. Act quickly and wisely. The main thing is not to miss the first signs of a cold during pregnancy and immediately begin to fight the disease so as not to bring everything to complications.

Important! If you still had to get sick with a cold, then you must definitely pass urine and blood tests in order to keep your he alth under control. In this matterdo not be lazy, and everything will be fine with you.