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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To worry about every cold (or could it be flu??) during pregnancy?

21 replies

AliceRR · 27/08/2018 16:42

I am an anxious pregnant person. I worry about a lot and I am quite cautious - avoid caffeine, painkiller etc since found I was pregnant.

A few weeks ago I had a cold but felt a bit wiped out (was exhausted anyway at a bout 13 week’s pregnant) so went to go. They said it was just a cold.

Now I’m 16 week’s and seem to have another cold. Started with a sore throat on Friday then that went and I’ve had runny / blocked nose, sneezing...

Today I woke up with pain in my right shoulder which now seems to have spread across my shoulders and upper back.

So I’m wondering if it’s flu? But other than the shoulder / back pain I don’t feel too bad and don’t seem to have a fever.

I don’t want to go to the doctor every time I have a cold but I do worry “what if it is flu?” which I know can be an issue if you are pregnant.

OP posts:

Original poster

AliceRR · 27/08/2018 16:42

I have had one paracetamol by the way which is the first time I’ve taken a painkiller since I learned I am pregnant

OP posts:

PasstheStarmix · 27/08/2018 16:43

Have you had the flu jab? I know they recommend you get that in pregnancy.

QueenAravisOfArchenland · 27/08/2018 16:48

Trust me, if you had flu, you would know.

Flu is when you have a raging temperature, you couldn't get out of bed even if someone promised you £1,000 for doing so, and you genuinely think you might die.

If you can walk and post on Mumsnet, you do not have flu.

peachgreen · 27/08/2018 16:49

Give your midwife or the EOU at your hospital a call to set your mind at rest. I'm sure it's just a cold but they won't mind at all.

Lonecatwithkitten · 27/08/2018 16:51

When you are making a baby your body does this at the expense of itself. I learnt this when I broke my hand at 21 weeks the eminent hand surgeon who I saw told me to 'finish growing the parasite and if it had not fully healed 3 months after that then he would surgically fix it'.

Original poster

AliceRR · 27/08/2018 20:13

Haven’t had the flu jab and don’t think it’s available til later in the year.

I am conscious that if I can gp surgery or 111 they suggest you go in about anything if you say you are pregnant.

I don’t feel so dreadful and don’t have a fever which is why I don’t think it is flu.

It’s the random pain, which started in one shoulder, then seemed to be shoulder / upper back pain and now I have pain in my mid back and a bit of a stomach ache but one does get random pains in pregnancy and the odd upset stomach.

I have been out to see my mum and my aunt since OP and just got home and think PP is right to say I would probably feel a lot worse if it was flu.

OP posts:

Rarfy · 27/08/2018 20:20

is there anything they can do if it is flu?

Fwiw im 17+6 and started with very similar symptoms saturday morning. Spent all day on the sofa yesterday with rolls of toilet roll for runny nose / sneezing. Woke up today nose has finally stopped running but neck and across top of shoulders aching like mad. Think its just from sneezing all day yesterday tho. Actually feel much better in myself today than yesterday.

HalfStar · 27/08/2018 20:26

It isn't the flu, no, that tends to hit like a thunderclap of pure evil and like a pp said you literally cannot get out of bed and you feel you will die

The back/shoulder/stomach pain though, I wonder could it be gallstones?

HalfStar · 27/08/2018 20:26

It isn't the flu, no, that tends to hit like a thunderclap of pure evil and like a pp said you literally cannot get out of bed and you feel you will die

The back/shoulder/stomach pain though, I wonder could it be gallstones?

garethsouthgatesmrs · 27/08/2018 21:12

Your flu jab is available from something like mid Sept I think so get yourself booked in. I doubt there is much they can do even if it is flu but your back pain may be unrelated to the cold. If you are worried about the back pain I would contact midwife and talk through symptoms. If you are just worried about the cold/flu symptoms I would wait to see how it develops. Chances are even if you got the flu it would be ok so try not to worry.

garethsouthgatesmrs · 27/08/2018 21:15

I suppose thinking about it they could treat you if you became dehydrated and would want to monitor for secondary infections so if you suspect it has developed into flu ring GP, midwife or 111. Key symptom would be your temperature so keep an eye on that and rest and keep hydrated. Don't go into work tomorrow of you are feeling poorly.

Original poster

AliceRR · 27/08/2018 21:17

I thought it back pain, if unrelated to cold, could either be a urinary infection but maybe just a pain...

Stomach pain I am starting to think might be wind - it is quite unpleasant

OP posts:

moreismore · 27/08/2018 21:19

The way I would try and look at this is, every bug you get exposed to while you’re pregnant, you’re baby will have the benefit of immunity to it for a while after birth. So it’s actually a good thing!

Original poster

AliceRR · 27/08/2018 21:21

Thanks all

OP posts:

peachgreen · 27/08/2018 22:32

I think if the pain carries on OP it's worth getting checked out anyway. Your EOU honestly won't mind.

Crunchymum · 27/08/2018 22:38

You're going to be pregnant during prime big season, so I think you probably need to manage your health anxiety as much as you can.

And get your flu jab as soon as it's available.

Your immune system takes a massive hit when you are pregnant so colds are standard, sadly.

Crunchymum · 27/08/2018 22:38

Big = bug (as in illness!)

garethsouthgatesmrs · 27/08/2018 23:42

If you think the stomach pain is related to your pregnancy you should get it checked out. Wind can be dreadfully painful though. Gaviscon is safe in pregnancy. Yes back pain could be a sign of uti

Original poster

AliceRR · 28/08/2018 16:01

I will be getting the flu jab hopefully.

Annoyingly I would have got it last year as we get it free through work but I just missed out timing wise as I was busy and they didn’t come back to me about rearranging.

My stomach pain went after a bit. I think it was wind but I had the pain in my stomach and the the pain in my left arm and shoulder came back so I had another paracetamol (just one) which seemed to help.

I feel ok today though apart from the odd sneeze so seemingly wasn’t anything serious

OP posts:

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 28/08/2018 16:09

I'd only go to the doctors if the pain gets worse (or hasn't gone in a few days) or I had a temperature again that I couldn't control or lasted more than 24 hours or so

I think everyone is cautious in their first pregnancy. If you have a second you will be constantly exposed to loads of manky toddler nursery bugs - if you think everyone with a second has this problem and the vast majority are fine.

Just keep up good hygiene, hand washing etc and preparing food safely, try and avoid big crowds if possible and have plenty of rests and fluids and eat well and you'll be fine

Original poster

AliceRR · 28/08/2018 16:18

Yes I think I am slightly overly anxious! I’m not one to go to the doctor’s etc, normally, and I will just take painkillers or cold / flu medicine if I feel i well and get on with it but now worry “what if it causes a problem with baby?” and then wonder if I’m being irresponsible for not getting checked out

OP posts:

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