Pregnant with Allergies

V.-
I know that if you can get any kind of local made honey and then take 2 tsp. everyday, within a month or two you can overcome most of the allergy problems. I know it works cause my children and I tried it here in Las Cruces and it worked out great. My daughters never had allergies until we got here. The honey thing really works. Hope that helps.
S. C

My husband refers to me as "being allergic to everything." Since I have high risk pregnancies, I'm always over-careful. This is what I've done in the past: watch what I'm allergic to and stay away, invest in an air cleaner (or 2 or 3?), eat good "real" non-processed foods. When it comes to medication, I could take the real Sudafed (not PE!!!)... starting with just one so I could breath, then a 2nd later if needed. The doctor also let me take Benadryl now and then. Good luck!!!

Congrats! Try a neti pot with salt. It works great and does not require you to use any medication. It cleans out your nasal passages. You can get one online, just search.
Also, I took Sudafed and Tylenol on my bad allergy days during pregnancy.

Hi V.- Have you talked to your doctor about what allergy medications are safe during pregnancy? I was pregnant with my son back east and I have horrible allergies. I was about 5 months pregnant when spring came. My docotor said it was safe to take Claritin. You can also use saline to flush your nose.
I do know that it is not safe to take any of the nasal sprays.

Good luck!!

I've always taken Benadryl during my pregnancies, even during the first trimester. My doctors have always said it is safe to take while pregnant. It will probably make you drowsy, but that's a norm while pregnant anyway, right? If you are looking for an alternative method, Hyland's makes a great homeopathic hayfever tablet.

I had the same problem with allergies and was told by my doctor it was safe to take Clartin D 24 hour. It work great for me. I took it with all 4 of my pregnancies and every thing turned out just fine with them.

When you are pregnant swelling occurs and the nasal passages are no exception, is what the dr. explained to me. A saline solution nasal spray may help releive the symptoms and won't hurt the baby.

I know that Claritin is safe to take during pregnancy. It has been on the market for years and has never had any birth defects reported associated with taking it or in clinical/lab trials. It is what I take during pregnancy and now while I am breastfeeding. Your could also just try using saline spray if you don't want to take a medication. I personally would stay away from any holistic (herbal) medications while pregnant because they don't go through any type of testing for birth defects and they are not FDA regulated.

Good Luck =)

I live near Phoenix (Peoria) and know what you mean about allergies. Go to myvemma.com/steveglandorf and click at the top where it says "Product Info," then on the right side where it says "Ingredients." Then click at the top where it says "Vemma Premix." This is the most complete liquid nutritional supplement you can find. It is recommended for pregnant women. Ask your doctor if this would help. Boosting your immune system, especially when you are pregnant is the most natural way to deal with symptoms. You don't want to take any medication if you don't have to as there are so many side effects. If you have more questions, my phone number is on the website.

I would not recommend taking anything while your pregnant, especially during your first trimester. I would try to figure out what is causing your allergies. Stay away from any products containing chemicals. Like cleaning products and use dye and perfume free laundry soap like all free and clear for example. When you are pregnant your body becomes more sensitive so watch what you put in your body as well as what you put on it. Try unscented and natural chemical free beauty products if at all possible. Trust me it is worth the extra money.

Try Neil Med Sinus wash. My allergies got worse when I was pregnant and the dr. gave me prescription and it wasn't working but the Neil Med Sinus Wash is just warm water and salt packets and it worked a little gross but I was able to breath at night and didn't wake up with a sore throat.

I bought it at Walgreens and it was on the bottom shelf.

Hey V.,
I have the worst allergies in the world. I wake up in the morning with hives and my eyes swollen shut. My allergies have become worse with my pregnancy. I have spoken with my OB, an allergist, and an allergist/dermatologist. Benedryl is totally safe, as well as Zyrtec, and Allegra. None of wich were strong enough to help me, but maybe they can help you. Do talk to your DR. or an allergist instead of suffering. Good luck.
C.

Hi,
I live in Southern NM in a climate similar to Phoenix's. My husband and I both suffer from allergies, although his are more severe. We started looking into getting expensive allergy shots and trying medications to get relief from some of the symptoms. Someone advised me to begin eating a tablespoon of local honey daily. I went to my local farmer's market and purchased a mason jar full of locally harvested honey (can also probably find some at health food stores)-the key is to make sure that it is local to the Phoenix area. I put a tablespoon of the honey in my morning tea, oatmeal, on toast or if I'm in a hurry I'll eat it straight (not recommended if you have morning sickness). After a couple of weeks I started to notice a difference, and since then I eat honey everyday and now I only suffer moderately on days when the pollen count is really high. I like the idea of doing this rather than medication because meds are typically really expensive, and you usually have to try several different kinds before you actually find something that works for you. Personally I think that it's worth a shot, and maybe you should have your husband try it along with you.
I hope that this helps.
S.

ou have gotten some good responses. I have also tried the sinus wash, both for me and my two kids (4 and 7). It works well to get the mucus out, and to hydrate the mucus membranes in the sinuses. I have also relied on homoepathic allergy medicines as they have no side effects and are safe during pregnancy. You may have to try a few to get the right one for your specific allergies. I like one called 'Allergiemittel' by B & T. I have also had good results with one from 'Natra-Bio'. Hope that helps.

Hello!

Here are two non-medication ways you could try:
The main thing that help me with my allergies is to keep hydrated. If the mucus membranes are not as dry, they can not get so easily irritated by the allergens.
And while it takes a little practice, a neti pot can help you flush all sinuses and get all the stuff out that makes you miserable. I got mine at Sprouts and it really helps. (A neti pot is a specially designed cup with a spout).

D.

I'm 8 mos. pregnant and when I was in my 1st trimester, my doctor said that Sudafed and claritin were safe. Sudafed sort of works for me and Clartin did absolutely nothing. Maybe talk to your doctor first and see what they recommend based on your own medical history. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!

Wow! You sound busy first of all! =) And, CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy! I am 8 months pregnant at this point and I have taken the same medicine throughout my pregnancy which I like - it is Zyrtec. It also helped a little with subsiding my morning sickness and the dr said it is supposed to do that. Ask your dr however mine was all for it. Good luck - my hubby is in the same profession =)

Hello V.,
Well, first of all, get in to see your OBGYN and they can most likely help you find something that will help you. I had a really nasty cold during the beginning of my second trimester and I was able to take an antibiotic(Azithromycin(sp?) that really helped me. Good luck. I hope you get to feeling better soon.

have you heard of the "netting pot" from Dr. Oz... that may help a lot and it is natural. you can find it at sprouts grocery store. twice a day for a couple weeks, see how it works.

Hey girl, you've gotten some pretty good responses. When I'm suffering, I will take either infant benadryl or zyrtec. Something that has helped alot but took time was drinking two cups of herbal tea with raw honey from your area. It took about 4-6 weeks for me to notice a change but it has alleviated my symptoms immensely. Remember, it has to be RAW, never heated, honey that is local to where you live. It builds up your immunity to the local allergens. Whenever I get an attack now, it usually subsides that day. I haven't had to take any other meds for awhile. You can find that kind of honey at a health food store. Hope this helps.

As I sit here trying to scratch my eyes out I totally feel your pain. When I was pregnant with my first I tried to not take anything and was miserable. I remember my OBGYN gave me a list of all the things I could take and all Tylenol products were on the approved list. He also said clariton was ok and I ended up on Singular when prego with my second and he said that was fine as well. Sadly this year is even worse and I am still nursing so back to the allergist I go to see what to try next. I have done it all take a quality multi vitamin and use an air filter and sometimes the allergies just get the best of you mostly because you can't stay inside for ever. Good luck and talk with your Dr. agin to try to get some relief.

Hi V.,

I also moved from So. Cal. almost a year ago while I was pregnant. I was probably around 3 months & as soon as I got here, I had allergies. =) I don't remember if I read this or if my doctor told me, but when you are taking a shower put the hot water on the back of your neck to help break up mucus in you. It help me clear up! =)

I have been told by more than one doctor and a pharmacist that Claritin is safe AFTER the 1st trimester. I would check with either your OB or a homeopathic doctor, but in the meantime try the saline drops to at least get some relief until you are out of the 1st trimester. Good luck!

I too moved from So. Cal to here and the same thing happened including becoming pregnant with our 4th child! Congrats! I had the same problem soon after moving here, allergies non-stop. What worked for me was getting rid of all the chemicals in our home and beginning a supplement program. I liked it so much that it has become my home business! Check out my website and I'd be more than happy to answer any questions! Hope you find something that works for you.

Take care,

D.

www.shaklee.net/denise_friedl

V., don't know about the pregnancy piece, but we saw a naturopath who did a non invasive series of treatments called the NEAT protocal to help us releive/eliminate our allergies.
Konrad Kail was who we saw in Scottsdale. It has done wonders for us.

Dear V. --

Yes, we have many things here in Arizona that get into our nasal passages that can cause irritations and that is why I am going to suggest to you that you clean-up your environment for everything else, so that this irrittion is lessened. It is not just the environment that is doing it. It is all of the household cleansers, the laundry products, the kind of hairspray and shampoo, the deodorant, even the pre-natal vitamins that you are probably now taking.

There is a company that will make a world of difference for you. You can have an absolutely non-toxic, hypo-allergenic and totally dust-mite free environment in your home and will not be breathing in all of these nasties and then can put something un-harmful to you or your baby at the end of your nostril when you go out -- no one will see it -- and you will not breathe in the allergens from the outside into your system either.

Call me or email me if your are interested. By the way, I do not sell these products. My local number is ###-###-#### and my email is ____@____.com M.

Hi V.,

Acupuncture works great for allergies! You can also try N.E.A.T. (using acupressure versus acupuncture) with Dr. Konrad Kail. Feel free to browse my resource center at www.HealthyHabitsWellnessCenter.com for a list of acupuncturists or allergy specialists.

Best of luck to you! :)

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven