Bad Cold for Little over a Month and Pregnant.

Are you positive it's a cold? Stuffyness and congestion can be a normal part of pregnancy. I was like this for most of my pregnancy and snored like a chainsaw. I had to sleep sitting up some nights because it was so bad. Try sitting in the bathroom with the shower on to steam up the room and take deep breaths before you go to bed. This might help clear up the congestion at least for a little bit.

Go to your family doc. There is a nose spray that is not a decongestant you may be able to take.

Are your sure that you actually have a cold? I have never had allergies in my life, except for when I was pregnant. I was very sensitive to pollen and stuff in the air. I had a stuffy nose and sneezing for almost my whole first trimester. It eventually subsided, and since having my kids, I haven't noticed any allergies, even during the spring when everyone else says their allergies are most sensitive.

You should be coming up on a doctors appointment soon now that you are almost out of your first trimester. Just bring it up when you are there and see if there are any medications that are okay for pregnant women, or some home remedies that you can try. I want to caution you on not taking any medication until you talk to your doctor about it. There are certain medications (and even a couple vitamins) that can cause very serious problems with your pregnancy.

Good luck and I hope that you can get some relief soon, I know how much it sucks to already feel icky from being pregnant and then being sick on top of it.

I feel for you, I had a severe cold that turned into a sinus infection the week before my daughter decided to come early. The doctors said I could take Sudafed (pseudaphederine --the kind you have to have a prescription for in Oregon but can buy at the pharmacy in other states) for decongestion. You can also take Benedryl. I would ask your doc about taking them in the first trimester, but you are almost done with it, and then I know you can take them. I am giving you a link of meds that are considered safe during pregnancy. Good Luck. It sounds like allergies to me. Miserable but harmless allergies.

http://www.obfocus.com/high-risk/meds1.htm

Umm....it is allergy season...I am that way too...try some Quercitin and Nettles...

I know you are not supposed to take medication like day quill or anything, but I did with my son because I suffered like you are. My doctor said you aren't supposed to take meds, but your baby also needs a mommy that can breath and sleep...so, I took day quill. It made me feel so much better and I have a happy lovable super smart almost 3 year old!
Talk with your doctor and see what he saids. If its bad enough, they will have to give you something for it. :)

Oh I totally feel for you. I had a month long cold/sinus infection at about the same time in my pregnancy and it was awful! I echo the suggestion to get a nettipot type thing (I got one that is like a squeeze bottle and is much easier to use that the actual nettipot). It is terribly uncomfortable to actually do but man it was the only thing that made me feel any better. And since it is really the only thing my doctor would recommend it was worth a shot! But yes I do agree that you should go in and see your doc - maybe there is something else they can do. Oh and get lots of rest. Hope you feel better soon!

I had a terrible cold when I was pregnant with my daughter. I wound up using saline solution in my nose during the day and Vicks rub during the night. I also stood over a steaming pot of water with a towel over my head a couple of times to open up my airways. Other advice I got but didn't try included wrapping a large pancake in paper towels and putting in on my chest.

Hope some of this works for you. Hang in there. Cold season is almost over.

Hi J.,

I'm going to assume that you have access to a doctor and are receiving prenatal care...

First, call your OB's office and talk to the nurses. They can recommend certain over-the-counter medicines that are safe during pregnancy. You can call to get this information without actually making an appointment. Finding some relief will help you rest and kick the bug.

Second, saline nose spray can help unstuff a nose and is very inexpensive to buy. It's on the aisle with the cold medicines at any pharmacy, drugstore or grocery. It's safe (something you'll be able to use for your baby, even), but a little unpleasant. It does help. If you have a sore throat or cough, a spoonful of honey can help soothe that.

Third, REST and FLUIDS!!! You're young, so you're probably used to staying up late and running to different activities. You should probably cut back until you feel better to let your body heal. And make sure you're drinking as much water as possible. You'll feel a ton better just from that. Hint: I carry a large bottle that holds my daily recommended amount everywhere. It's the only way I can keep track. It gets funny looks from people, but it works!

Feel better soon!

Lots of women get allergies they have never had before when pregnant -- Talk to your doctor and see which you're allowed to take, but most approve Sudafed (normal) or Benadryl. Ask your doctor. It might be as simple as allergies.

Also, what you have may have turned into a sinus infection - your doctor can give you antibiotics to clear that up.

Good luck - congrats on your pregnancy!

I would see your doctor, there are definitely medecines that can help like nasal spray, antiobiotics if you have a sinus infection. I had many bad colds when I was pregnant and suffered for over a month, thinking I wouldn't be able to take anything anyway. When I finally went to my dr she gave me a nasal spray that I only took once a day as needed. I felt a million times better within a few days and my cold cleared up pretty quickly.

There is a product called neti-pot and you put warm water in it with a solution of prepackage salt and sodium bicarb. Then you put it into your sinsus and let it drain through the other side. I have a lot of allergies and this has helped me so much!

Take care
J.

i second the neti pot. yeah it's kind of gross but it helps it so i don't get a sore throat from having nasty drainage sit in there all night. i do it after i get up and before i go to bed. you can take extra vitamin C but check with your dr as to how much is safe.

I agree...are you sure its a cold??? Any fevers?? I am pregnant with my second child and with my first pregnancy I had lot of congestion..yours could be combined with allergies...I have bad allergies and it is safe being pregnant to take Claritan...have you tried that? Have you gone to the doctor since its been that long? I would make an appt...I know most doctors don't like pregnant woman to be sick that long. Good luck!