Anything I can do to help relieve a horrible cold??

[bumblebee86]

I'm 31 weeks pregnant and have developed a horrible cold, I'm so blocked up it's hard to breath and sleep. Is there anything safe to use that would help?

[Borisisback]

Sadly not a lot. Rest. Paracetamol. Keep your fluids up. Warm bath to help unblock. Honey and lemon. And have some from Mexico

[Borisisback]

Mexico? Me!!!

[kikisdelivery]

I love the idea that an entire country is sending you their best wishes for a speedy recovery!! good old Mexico! That gave me a right laugh this morning!!

[PinkSwimGoggles]

you can take salt water nasal spray that will help a little.
and paracetamol.

[KateTheShrew]

If you can bear it, try a nasal rinse like this one:
www.boots.com/en/NeilMed-Sinus-Rinse-Kit_121768/
Same idea as saline nasal spray but more powerful.

I don't have a cold atm, but I do get pregnancy rhinitis so am often very blocked up/snotty. I use it once a day and it really helps me, but it's not exactly pleasant to use (squirt saline solution up one nostril and let it drain out the other one). Also, I think if you're completely blocked up, it might not be able to get through, so if you do try it go gently or you'll get salty water down the back of your throat. Not nice.

The other thing that sometimes helps me is sleeping really propped up on a pile of pillows. And airwaves menthol chewing gum.

Sympathies from me- it's a horrible feeling and I hope you get better very soon.

[minijoeyjojo]

I found sticking my head over a steaming bowl of water helped, aside from that sleep as much as you can and do nothing else!!

[Peopleplease]

I'm in the same boat OP. I've mostly recovered but have a terrible cough which gets worse when I lie down. I've tried propping myself up but it's not really helping. Worse bit is I don't have full control of my bladder any more so embarrassing if it happens at night.

[Sittingintheshade]

Feel your pain, I'm the same today. Drinking lots of hot Ribena (childhood cure for anything) and eating soup. Just feel completely yuck......I am taking one of those nasal sprays that says it prevents colds and helps you get rid of them more quickly. Not sure if psychosomatic but will try anything

[moobeana]

When I was pregnant I got the worst colds twice. It was so bad I couldn't breathe out of my nose, I didn't sleep for nearly a week and felt horrific. My pharmacist and midwife rescued me (after a sobbing snotty appointment!) and said I could use sudafed nasal spray twice a day. It stays pretty localised to the head and upper body, so little danger to baby. I used to use it before bed and once mid morning. It saved me.

Discuss with pharamcist, it isn't licensed for pregnancy, but only because they don't test drugs on pregnant women. It's about balancing risk / needs. I thought it was worth it and was grateful for it. Btw my DD was born perfectly healthy.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Trulyamnearanear]

Ach, I've had one for nearly 2 weeks. My ds had it the week before. The coughing is keeping me up at night and with bump pushing on my bladder .... well ....
I'm surviving on paracetamol, measly caffeine allowance and whining

[AButterflyLightsBesideUs]

I have also been suffering this past week - 28 weeks here. Mainly I've been having early nights and naps if I can, taking it easy, paracetamol, lots of hot drinks and soups and taking zinc and vit c with orange juice every day, oh and upping my inhaler usage (asthmatic). My chest sounds bloody awful. I think olbas oil is fine by the way for nnighttimes. Hope you feel better soon.

[RobberBride]

You have my sympathy. I had a horrible cold a month ago that left me with blocked sinuses. Last weekend I was feeling desperate but too crap to go to Boots so I did a homemade version of the nasal rinse - boil some water (to get rid of any bugs), pour 3cm into a wide cereal/soup bowl, add a hefty slug of salt, stir to dissolve, let it cool so it is very slightly warm. Lean over bathroom sink, angle your head to one side, stick nose in bowl (so only one nostril in the water) and breathe in. Water will go up your nostril and (depending on how blocked it is) will a sec/few secs later come out in your mouth. Spit. Swear loudly about how disgusting pregnancy is. Repeat with other nostril, about four times on each side til water has gone. I did this morning and night for two days. This week is the first time in a month I haven't had a sinus headache.

Do NOT let your DH catch you. Mine came home unexpectedly on Sunday night and was in stitches.