Catching a cold during first trimester

[Lionstar7]

Hi everyone

I posted a week ago. I am pregnant with my first and only 5 weeks in. Doc told me it's too early for a scan and to come back in 2 weeks. Hopefully junior will stick around!

I'm being very careful about food, drink and everything else (paranoia as it's my first!). I work in an open-plan office and it seems everyone around me is really sick at the moment - coughing and spluttering all over the place! I'm terrified I'll catch something and harm the baby in these first crucial weeks. I can't seem to find any references to the dangers of the common cold/bronchitis on a foetus during 1st trimester; I can only find info about mumps, measles and nastier sorts of viruses. Does anyone know how dangerous a cold is?

Secondly, what would everyone consider the Gold Standard in pregnancy books? I don't have a massive budget (or shelf space!) and want to invest in one excellent book and use the net for other research.

Thanks!

[PortAndLemon]

A cold isn't dangerous, although you can't take much other than paracetemol for it when pregnant so if you do catch one you will feel absolutely miserable.

[belgo]

A common cold is not harmful during pregnancy. But if you do catch one, you'll probably have to look after yourself more then usual - you can't take all of the usual cold rememdies during pregnancy - and you may find you'll be more tired and ill then you would usually be. Get plenty of rest, and take your pregnancy vitamins, and eat healthily.

Have you had chicken pox as a child? That can be dangerous during pregnancy, but if you've had it (and most women have), then you should be immune.

There are some nasty viruses that you can catch during pregnancy - CMV, parvo virus for example - you may already have immunity to these. You are more at risk if you work with small children, as these are viruses more common in children then in adults. But even if you do catch one of these viruses (and the chances are you won't), the risks are realatively small.

Try not to worry.

[mummyhill]

As PortAndLemon said a clod is nothing to worry about at any stage in pregnancy apart from the discomfort it may cause you as you can only take paracetamol.

As for books I wouldn't bother, just use mumsnet to its full potential.

[belgo]

Can you take paracetamol during the first trimester?

[Cies]

Make sure you keep your fluid levels up if you do get a cold. You can make an old fashioned rememdy of hot water, lemon juice and honey. For me, the smell opens up my blocked nose and makes my head feel a little bit better .

[Cies]

For books, I really like Birth and Beyond, by Yehudi Gordon. It goes into detail about everything pre and post birth.

[PortAndLemon]

You can take paracetemol whenever you want (up to the maximum dose, obviously).

[motherinferior]

Put your feet up. Read some real books. Much better idea. Should you need a glimpse of parenting, a gory thriller should suffice

[chutneymary]

Drink loads and keep calm. Having a cold won't hurt the baby, but will make you feel rotten. You won't be like your un pg self and just be able to get on with it. I have just had a cold which made me go to bed for 2 days. How delicate is that?! Paracetamol fine, everything else isn't (unless you get a cough, when the pharmacist can give you some nice tasting but rather benign medicine).

Books - I read them all with DD1, haven't really bothered much since. Most of them focus on the birth, which is important but so minor once the baby is here that you'd be better off reading a good novel.

[MrsBadger]

MI is spot on - the free NHS pregnancy book covers all the vital basics, so read trashy novels (or whatever your poison is) while you have the chance

[dinkystinky]

In my first trimester with second pregnancy now and just got over stinker of a cold (lasted 2 weeks) - a cold in pregnancy is fine, though you do feel miserable as you cant take any drugs. Paracetemol and honey and lemon water are good, you can use olbas oil on tissues to help clear your passage ways and other than that, all you can do is lots of rest and relaxation (not that I got much of that between work and dealing with toddler) and drinking lots of fluids.

[babylove123]

Hi,

I had an awful cold when i was in my 1st trimester and i was told by my doctor and pharmacist that i could have paracetamol, olbas oil and also for a chesty cough you can have glycerine honey and lemon cough mixture - thats what did it for me, cleared up my cough in a flash. Obv you might want to check with your own pharmacist but mine assured me it was safe (have been for my 20 week scan and have a happy, healthy baby!)

[fircone]

I had full-blown flu in the first trimester. Temperature through the roof, bed-ridden, aching...

I ended up on anti-biotics due to severe sinusitus.

Dd arrived safe and sound!

[khoughton76]

Thanks everyone, this was really useful. Am currently 5 weeks pregnant myself, with a cold starting. Is my second pregnancy, as I miscarried in Jan at 7 weeks. Nice to know there is good advice out there.