Need to Stop Being Sick

You should try a Neti Pot. I was introduced to this between my first and second pregnancies. I used to get a few sinus infections per year but whenever I feel one coming on, I used the neti pot and it goes away immediately. I also used it when I was pregnant to clear out my nose before bed and it helped A LOT. I was incredibly weary of using any medicaiton while pregnant even when a doctor said it was OK. And the neti pot was a lifesaver. A bit strange to use at first but the results make any of the strangeness seem totally worthwhile.

My OB allowed Benadryl. I only took it at night to breathe and get some sleep. Daytime, I used cough drops and hot liquids to help with the congestion.

The neti pot is awesome!

Check with your provider to make sure you haven't develped a sinus infection (you'd probably have a fever, if so). Otherwise, when I was pregnant and sick I found some relief (although not a ton) with saline nasal rinses, humidifiers and sudafed.

You can talk with your doctor. There are some nasal sprays that contain no drugs that work great. I had the same problem when I was pregnant with my third child. My doctor suggested the nasal sprays and the vapo tabs that you put in the shower. I hope this helps and i hope you feel better soon.

Hello C.,

Congrats on your pregnancy. I can relate to the congestion. Have you tried staying away from dairy to see if it makes a difference? also, if you get some peppermint oil you can put a few drops on a tissue and put it next to you, it will help with the congestion. gargle? use a netti pot, avoid perfumes, fumes, smoke, dust, etc, as much as possible.
I was wondering, do you have any allergies? if so, read all the ingredients on everything you're taking --even your prenatal vitamins. I hope you get better soon! ~C.~

Build up your immune system naturally. Add vitamins C, E, and Zinc daily and this will help. I assume your taking a prenatal vitamin? To ensure it is getting absorbed into your system, put the prenatal in a half cup of room temperature water. If it doesn't dissolve in 30 minutes or less, it is going out the same way it went in.

Also, when looking for vitamins ensure they are natural. I know the ones I take are and from a reputable company.

There are companies that put contaminants in their vitamins and with you being pregnant you want to make sure you and the baby don't get the contaminants.

Last remember the baby is taking nutrients from you and with so many people sick that is probably why your immune system is run down.

Hope you feel better!

Some cough drops are OK. They may help just enough to get you breathing. Sleep upright. Use a facial steamer or hang out in the bathroom with a hot shower running (like you would for a kid with croup). Drink lots of water.

As you probably already know, your nasal passages always can get congested when you are pregnant. So if you are sick on top of it, it can be pretty bad. It may sound like an old wives' tale, but I would strongly suggest cutting out ALL dairy for a bit to see if it helps. It usually does since dairy is an "inflammatory" food that often adds to more swelling and congestion. If it helps, you can always try to add it back in after a week or so.

The best thing you can do (per my Ear,Nose, Throat Specialist) is to use a Neti Pot. It's not the most pleasant thing, but it works by cleaning out your sinuses with nothing more than saline. I have been using a Neti pot for a couple of years now. I used to get sinus infections at least 5 times a year. I've had one in 3 years now. The ENT told me that since it's only saline and there is nothing harmful in it, you can do it as often as needed. He recommended 5-6 times a day.

Good luck,

L.

Relax in a warm bath, eucalyptus oil in the water is nice and opens up nasal passages ( don't use if you are currently taking homeopathics, it will cancel out the affect of the remedy). If you are into homepathics - no side effects whatsoever, great for pregnant moms to use, the remedy Pulsatilla is good for congestion, esp. if thick and green. Essential to take immune boosting supplements and a good diet, lots of help on the internet for diet suggestions. Stay off of dairy too during this time of heavy congestion. Dairy is known to be very mucous forming. If you want more relaxation support for pregnancy and also Childbirth, I teach HypnoBirthing childbirth education ( my business Peaceful Birthing is listed in the Local Business tab in Mamapedia) www.YourPeacefulBirthing.com.

Good luck,
J.

I was told by my docs that I could use nasal sprays such as Afrin (I recommend the "extra moisturizing"). I would only use it in one nostril at a time and alternate every 12 hours because it can make your nose "depend" on it after you are no longer sick. It was the only way I could sleep, and I was thankful for it! My children nor I expereinced any ill side-effects from its use (though, I know, everyone is different). Best of luck, and I do hope you can get some good rest!

Hi C.,
I agree with Heather that the neti pot is great, but it won't work if you are completely stopped up. I don't like to use them, but you may have to get a Rx for a nasal spray.
If you would like to know how you can boost your immunes system with Shaklee supplements, let me know. They are the number one seller of natural supplements and are safe.
Hope you feel better soon.
Victoria

humidifier, stay off dairy, olbas oil is good - neti pots are good, but if you totally blocked it wont go through.

maybe ask your dr if you can take mucinex, or similar

You can take Sudafed and use nasal sprays.

When I was pregnant and had a terrible cold, I asked my doctor. He said, as your doctor I don't recommend taking any medication, but there are 1,000's of women who take prescription and illegal drugs during their pregnancies and have perfect healthy babies. I took some a child's dose of children's cold medication, it was enough to let me get some sleep.

A hot shower will help. I would also use Vicks Vapo rub.

C. ~
As an OB nurse this question comes up alot. Robitussin is safe...also Benadryl or Sudafed if you need. Only take them as long as you really need to. You can also try some saline nose drops or the netti pot.
Hope you feel better!
D.

Use a neti pot. It is a nasal saline RINSE. Not a nose spray that just goes up your nose, but acutally rinses your sinuses and moves out all the gunk that you can't blow out. You can get them at any drug store in the allergy aisle.

Hi C.----I recently got over my first cold in over 5 years. I felt like my head was underwater. It let to a bit of coughing from drainage. I tried using a generic brand of sudafed, I'm pretty sure I was told I could use this when I was pregnant, but that was a long time ago.

I've been on a crusade these past 5 years to not have to use medicines, and let my body do what it has to do. But sometimes, a little intervention is necessary. I think sudafed is not too bad. I did find a natural herbal product, it comes in a sublingual, pill or nasal spray. I opted for, and I think you might want to as well because of being pregnant, the nasal spray. It's called Sinu Orega, the emulsified oils of wild oregano, bay leaf, sage and clove in a sea salt base. It really helped to clear up my sinuses. It didn't last long but I think that's the price of a natural solution.

This stuff is strong so don't spray it. I ended up just inhaling it so as not to have the liquid run down my throat. Trust me, you won't want that. I got this product at my local health food store in Waterford.

Do be sure you are eating a REALLY healthy diet. It will help. I've got some healing foods books so I can share with you which foods can with recovery. I've been taking wellness classes, so I have collected a bunch of great info. I also have a recipe for a spicy chicken soup. If you like spicy, it will help to decongest. Let me know if you'd like the recipe. And take hot showers or baths. Good luck and try to remember that this will all be over soon. Good luck, D.

Probiotics are huge in boosting everyone’s immune systems. You can look for foods that are high in probiotics, like yogurt, but I suggest taking supplemental probiotics. We combine probiotics with our multi-vitamins and regular chiropractic care. I used probiotics and saw the chiropractor regularly during both of my pregnancies, so it is completely safe, and even encouraged to do both while you are pregnant.

Take extra Vitamin C, Stop drinking/eating dairy products for a while (these add to the phlegm). Also, try to find a DO who does manipulation, they can open up your sinuses and get you breathing again. I know, my husband is a DO and he fixes me whenever I get a sinus infection!