Cough and cold in pregnancy

Cough, cold, a little sore throat: with the first colds, the first ailments of the season also arrive.

You are pregnant and you fear that sneezing or coughing can bother the fetus? "It's a very common fear, but don't worry: nothing happens," he declares Valentina , gynecologist and phytotherapist. In practice, for the baby it will be like swinging gently, always protected by the amniotic fluid.

Even if you have a little fever do not fear for the baby. See your doctor only if the fever persists for several days or is very high (over 39 ° C).

In this article

• Medicines in pregnancy: which ones can you take ?,
• Beware of antibiotics; 
• Natural remedies: beware of propolis; 
• The "grandmother's remedies".

Medicines in pregnancy: which ones can you take?

Aspirin, paracetamol, anti-inflammatories: are all those drugs that are normally taken in case of colds allowed during pregnancy? Distinction must be made.

Read also: Drugs in pregnancy

"Aspirin can be taken, but for extreme caution it is better to avoid it in the first trimester, because according to some studies, yet to be definitively confirmed, it would increase the risk of spontaneous abortion "he explains Clavenna, head of the pharmacoepidemiology unit of the Laboratory for Maternal and Child Health - Mario Negri Institute of our city.

"In any case, the intake of aspirin, as well as that of all other Fans, i.e. anti-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, should be absolutely avoided after the 30th week of gestation, as it could cause the closure of the Botallo duct, a fundamental vessel for fetal blood circulation ".

"The drug of choice for seasonal ailments during the nine months is undoubtedly paracetamol (Tachipirina, Efferalgan, etc.) which is also the most effective active ingredient to lower the temperature ", explains Clavenna." It should be taken following the recommended dosage in the package insert. And if after 3-4 days there is no improvement in symptoms, consult your doctor before continuing with the therapy ".

Also read: Drugs for nausea in pregnancy

Beware of antibiotics

On the other hand, it is wrong to take antibiotics just because you have a fever: there are some that can also be used during pregnancy (always upon medical prescription!), such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, cephalosporins or macrolides, but they are only useful in case of bacterial infection; if the fever is caused by viruses (as happens in most cases), antibiotics have no effect.

Read also: Fever in pregnancy: causes, risks and remedies

Natural remedies: beware of propolis

Also beware of a natural remedy such as propolis: "Better to avoid its use, since there are no data on its use in pregnancy" underlines Clavenna, recalling that it is often formulated in alcohol solution, which could then pass to the fetus. (A clarification: the fact that there are no definitive data on its efficacy and safety in pregnancy does not mean that it necessarily hurts, but that there is no scientific basis to recommend it. If you have ever used it, you can still rest assured).

Grandma's remedies for coughs and colds

To clear a blocked nose in case of a cold, or in case of cough, you can try various "home" strategies, the classic grandmother's remedies:

1. drink plenty of fluids;
2. nasal washes with physiological solution, or with a solution prepared at home by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in half a liter of warm water. "Alternatively, they can also be done aerosol with simple physiological solution, that is, without the addition of medicines "Clavenna suggests;
3. smoked (suffumigi) with hot water plus coarse salt or bicarbonate. "Or - he advises - with peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, pine or chamomile oils, which also have a mild antibacterial action. "Among other things, steam baths also help to sweat;
4. drink the classic glass of hot milk with honey;
5. gargling with sage tea: take eight fresh sage leaves and put them in 200 ml of boiling water. Let it boil for 15 minutes and use at room temperature for gargling.

Read also: 10 tips and grandmother's remedies for seasonal ailments

Covid-19 and pregnancy

There are many questions a pregnant woman asks herself in this historical period due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, what to do to protect the child and themselves? Or what to do if you have tested positive for the virus? And, moreover, what to do after giving birth?

Here are the answers to the most common questions about pregnancy in the period of Covid-19.

TAG:

• pregnancy medicines
• cough
• cold