Aging Gracefully and with Great Health

Cold Treatments For Pregnant Mothers

20 December 2016 by For Content

A pregnant woman's immune system isn't as strong as her non-pregnant sisters'. This is nature's little way to making sure that Mom's body doesn't recognize her growing baby as a foreign object that needs to be flushed out. As a result of this miracle of nature, however, she's much more susceptible to colds, and those colds can last longer than they would if she weren't pregnant. Here are some cold treatment ideas that are safe for a pregnant mother and her fetus. 

Self-Care

To get over a cold as quickly as possible, a pregnant mother simply needs to take care of herself. Fluids are important, and she should drink lots of water and warm herbal tea. Broths and soups are another wonderful way for a pregnant mother to get both nourishment and fluids. Colds can reduce appetite, but they don't reduce a fetus' nutritional needs. A fetus will take what it needs from its mother, so it's important that a pregnant mother suffering from a cold eat at least small meals so that both she and baby remain nourished. Plenty of rest is also important. It's easier said than done if she works full time or cares for an older child, but napping regularly and going to bed early are important. 

Home Remedies

Many medications a woman would ordinarily grab to alleviate her cold symptoms aren't safe in pregnancy, so it's important that she try to relieve her symptoms with some natural remedies first. Humid air can help clear nasal passages, so she should sit in a room with a humidifier or take a steamy shower or bath. Alternatively, she could heat a pot of water until it steams, remove it from the stove and lean over the pot with a towel draped over her head and shoulders and the pot. This will create a steamy environment that can help clear nasal passages. Saline nasal spray is another safe and effective treatment for a stuffy nose, as are nasal strips. During those all-important naps, a pregnant mother should elevate her head to help keep nasal passages clear. For mothers-to-be suffering from a sore throat, sucking on ice can help, as can warm tea. A bonus to these throat soothers is that they both help with hydration.

Medication

A pregnant woman shouldn't resort to medication without first talking to a doctor like Premier Urgent Care Centers of California, Inc. Generally, however, safe over-the-counter medications include acetaminophen, which can help with that headache, and lozenges that have an anesthetic in them, which can help with that sore throat.  

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